Monday 13 December 2010

THROUGH THE WIRE: MONDAY (12/14/10)

New York Knicks Amar'e Stoudemire slaps hands with Raymond Felton after Felton hits the game winning 3-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 8, 2010. The Knicks defeated the Raptors 113-110.   UPI/John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

24. In Madison Square Garden last night the atmosphere was electric. At the start of the game it was all for potential, free agent target to be Carmelo Anthony but by the end it was all Amare Stoudemire. STAT's franchise record eight straight 30 points led the New York Knicks to a 129-125 win hosting the Denver Nuggets. This was also the first 8 game winning streak for the Knickerbockers franchise in 16 years and it could only get better."Sky's the limit," Amare said. "It's just a matter of us continuing to improve." New York basketball hasn't looked this good since the 1996/1997 season. Since Patrick Ewing was still keeping high top fades and MSG basketball in fashion. The Knicks are rolling. Ray Felton had an incredible double with 19 points and 17 assists (a season high). The true, underrated point also made 4 crucial free throws in the waning seconds. It wasn't just Stoudemire taking centre stage the floor was spread well as Wilson Chandler also had 27 and Danilo Gallinari had 16. Carmelo Anthony's 31 and 13 weren't enough but were a good reflection for the MSG crowd to see just what they could get this summer...if their lucky. One things for sure, the summer may be a lottery but not exactly for the Knicks. Their more than just thinking about playoffs.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: (L-R) Actor Samuel L. Jackson and Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl backstage during the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for ESPY)

(Discussing the finer points of coaching with Samuel L. Jackson)

48. Keeping it Nuggets like gold their coach reached a milestone this weekend. George Karl led his Nuggets to a win and his 1,000Th career W with a victory over the Toronto Raptors during their Atlantic Division road trip. It was a long journey in more ways than one but Karl sealed it with a 123-116 win on Friday night. Nene had 26 but it was Al Harrington's season high 31 that paced the victory. The Nuggets bench bowed to the legendary coach who is now the seventh coach in league history to reach this achievement. The other coaches being, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Pat Riley, Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson and Larry Brown. George said of his team at postgame, "I just felt together with them, I felt connected with them." Star guard Chauncey Billups also defined it as, "a moment that you'll never forget," adding that Karl is one of the best coaches he's played for. Billups shared why Karl's coaching works, "He's all about winning, he's all about playing the right way and sharing the basketball and everybody having their opportunities out there. I believe that's the way you win basketball games." That's the George Karl way. Congratulations K.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) talks with teammates Matt Barnes, left to right, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol and Shannon Brown during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on December 10, 2010. The Bulls won 88-84.  UPI/Brian Kersey Photo via Newscom

82. Up in the Tri-State area today the Lake Show were renewed in the Meadowlands with a 99-92 win over the New Jersey Nets. The Lakers bounced back during a hetic road trip after losing to the Chicago Bulls this weekend. The Lakers finished strong like Mr. Cee and ended the Nets in the fourth. Kobe led his Lakers with a 'Magic' 32 points (Earvin himself was sitting courtside as well) and 6 dimes while Lamar Odom followed with 22 and 7 off the glass. Pau Gasol still made it to the cup playing through injury. He served L.A. another double with 15 and 11. Not bad for a star playing on a bum hamsting, not bad at all... great in fact. It was Bryant and Odom however that took the Lakers away from the 87-87 deadlock. Braynt dished to Gasol and Odom for two respective dunks and then clutch classic, Derek Fisher gave up another chance for a winning play for the history books by finding Odom for three instead. You've got to love teamwork. Even Queen Latifah-sat in the crowd-couldnt reprise her role from 'Just Wright' and whip these Nets into shape. As much as she motivated. This ait like the movies. Sorry Jordan Farmar!

Oct 27, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (9) and forward Blake Griffin (32) react in the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center. Photo via Newscom

O.T. Things aren't looking so great now for the up for auction New Orleans Hornets losing for the eight time in 11 games against the Philly 76ers...the Cleveland Cavaliers have also lost 8, straight that is. They went through the Thunder's storm in their latest loss...The top Texans the San Antonio Spurs are making more records as they have become the first NBA team to reach 20 wins this season...Behind Dwight's alright 22 the Orlando Magic overcame the Los Angeles Clippers who are looking like one team that won't go quietly into the night...Who said the rules of Basketball weren't valuable. Back to auctions at a Naismith foundation auction the sale of basketball rules commanded $4M. I guess someone really does love this game. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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