A TALE OF TWO CITIES

A storybook ending & beginning.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

The NBA loves nostalgia and a great story. Hey, we all do. That's why it was so great for Laker fans to see Derek Fisher suit back up for the second time in Lakers purple back in 2009 to end up shooting down teams in the championship clutch to win it all like he did three rings earlier. That's why it hurt in Hollywood when he was sent by the Buss family on a coach to Oklahoma. That's why Canadian fans where yearning for Steve Nash to finish his career with the Raptors in Toronto before he signed up to script his last chapter in L.A. with the Lakers. I guess it's true what they say: what goes around comes around.

There are similar, familiar feelings right now between the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets this offseason. If the new, New York Knicks needed any post-playoff, fire hydrant beating hope then it surely comes with their latest signing. Sure the Ama're/Carmelo future looks bright for the white, blue and orange but it's the return of their post-Ewing, pivot man that really inks their redemption.

New York, your Marcus Camby is back in the Empire State's Madison Square Garden. Let's hear it for him.

Back in the early 2000's-after the sweat boys mopped up the last of Patrick Ewing's leave it all on the floor career-the future was the Kandy man, Camby. Now after mining some success for the Nuggets in Denver with Carmelo Anthony the former 'Defensive Player Of The Year' is on guard back in the core of the Big Apple. Not only are Camby and Carmelo reunited they are also aligned with Chandler and Ama're Stoudemire to add stat's and a formidable foundation to Manhattan's frontline. With the unstoppable, un-toppable, worldwide buzz, hype and potential of Jeremy Lin adding to the J.R. Smith, Baron Davis 'Knicks tape' featuring even more artists it all sounds so good in New York City for 2012 like Springsteen, Norah Jones, Lana Del Ray and Nas releasing albums in the same year.

This is-however-if the Knicks match the Houston Rockets offer sheet for Lin. N.Y. have reportedly been quoted to be willing to match any offer for the free-agent Jeremy up to a billion dollars, but all this Linsanity hasn't resulted in any Dr. Evil pinky fingers to the mouth yet. Let's put it this way, beyond basketball all the money, exposure and buzz for new york basketball right now comes with Lin. it's in the teams best business interest. Still, beyond the superficial of this is the substance Lin would bring the Knicks, giving this contender the inside and out team that could really drive from an outside championship threat to one that could be painted in history.

Still with just one stroke of a pen that could all be changed. Carmelo, Denver and New York know this LeBron and maybe Dwight Howard feeling all too well. If Houston avenge losing Camby by gaining Lin then it'll really be a problem for New York. Houston we really have something here. the Knick loss could and would be the Rockets soaring financial and popular cultural gain. This ballclub miss the gaping literal and inspired hole that Yao Ming left and the worldwide buzz and excitement he brought this team-especially in Asia-will definitely be replaced by Lin who is arguably the biggest cultural inspiring NBA force in this leagues status around the world since Yao.

The jersey's, popularity and relationships are already set in contract, but will Lin seal the deal? Beyond the Linsane celebrity buzz and love, Lin's heart and soul devotion to the game will translate in statistical success that goes beyond television ratings, but will this box-score favorite be on the tubes in Houston and out of New York and all those corner stalls and shops that carry his name and merchandise?

Only time and called bluffs will tell in this chess moving game that is the NBA Summer. It's going to be a hot one. Either way there are a lot of fond, familiar feelings running through the cities of new York and Houston for the Knick and Rocket ballclubs respectively. Still whether the story will result in a happy ending for New York or Houston all depends on Lin's next chapter. It'll all be written with the turning of a contract. Now the question is where will the ink dry? There's nothing like a good NBA story. The game is to be told...

THAT'S AMAR'E

'STATistically' Speaking.

By Tim David Harvey

When a forward comes right out of high school, ready and primed for the pro's. Nationally burning the association, making the NBA elite look like teenagers losing their feet. From blink and you'll miss it, lighting flash dunks, leading to action replays to thunderous applause. Thor's here, it's hammer time and the only thing baggy is the shorts. The only thing dated is the defense, the only thing fading is the doubt, and that sweet, underrated shot. STOP!

That's Amar'e,

When a man child, dwarfs everybody, strong arming his way through the paint while towering like a blazing inferno. You know who it is, from rap lyrics to nicknames. Jersey sales to magazine covers and posters. Between the trees, leaving double teams at their knees. Covering their eyes and grabbing their nuts. Dunks as sick as doctors notes, Julius Erving would be proud. One handers that are as hard as pimp slaps, save some talc K.G. This man dunks on everyone from Michael Olowakandi to Shaq,

That's Amar'e,

When a player joins Skateboard Steve and The Matrix to reload and revolutionise a struggling Phoenix Suns team, rising them from the ashes and giving them brighter days. A man making the Phoenix metaphor more than a myth, burning hotter than that INXS video 'The Gift' (look it up). A man with cold plays in the dessert, raising Arizona like Nicholas Cage with a dodgy 'tache.

That's Amar'e,

When a player goes from a 20 and 10 threat to a promise, whatever the number, 32 or number 1. When a player becomes one of the most imposing and dominant big men in the L and a Western Conference that includes the best, whatever the number. 34, or two 21's, the larger than life Shaq Diesel, 'da' passionate kid Garnett and the machine Tim Duncan. When a guy is just as good as those advertised,

That's Amar'e,

When a big man goes down on one knee, but stays in matrimony with rehab and recovery for better or worse, he comes back stronger than ever. When a player overcomes career ending injuries to define a season like other former and current Sun spots, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. No McGrady, no 'dyce. When a players strong at the knees and weak for nobody. Coming back with an Eminem 'Recovery', never to 'Relapse' again. Putting up big numbers in his first week, real STAT quo.

That's Amar'e,

When a man almost loses his sight, but never the vision for the game. Coming back yet again from season ending surgery, late in the game to see the playoffs out. Bracing up and strapping on his goggles, going to work with shades of Kareem, Horace Grant and Moses Malone. His eye on one thing like cyclops, a championship. A superstar, a hero an ex-Sun man. A man who in his final year under the Western sun overcame the odds and almost with his team the champion Lakers,

That's Amar'e,

When a free agent enters a Summer pool of players that include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki but still commands attention like a lottery pick on dratw day. When the player becomes one of the best and the most important acquisitions of the offseason. When he becomes the first and foremost signing after the July start date. When he puts an end to the names and the games. When he's all in, like EA Sports, or Cee-Lo, the past, 'Forget You', more like 'F*** You'. All for the green, or more like the team, for that championship gold, shining through the influence of the sun.

That's Amar'e,

The same Amare who now pulls on a New York Knick jersey with pride and restores the same feeling in Madison Square Garden. Now that really is big. The same player who takes his team from the cellar to contention really is a stand out. A man joined by a sharp Italians, a grown rookie, a great point and of course Carmelo Anthony on his new N.Y. team. This same man makes sure this former joke team has the last laugh. The same man is the only guy really capable of shaping up and standing next to Dwight Howard, the most imposing big in the East. This same man makes Knickerbocker, MSG fans think of playoffs like the Ewing era and even more like Fraizer or Earl the Pearl. This man knows things are going to be more than alright. When this man refreshes the rotten apple of New York basketball at the core. When this future may be, M.V.P. lights up N.Y. like Time Square with a billboard as prominent as Diddy or any Broadway show. When this man takes attention off Sinatra like Dean Martin, that's amore, that's love,

That's Amar'e.

THAT'S AMARE

'STATistically' Speaking.

By Tim David Harvey




When a forward comes right out of high school, ready and primed for the pro's. Nationally burning the association, making the NBA elite look like teenagers losing their feet. From blink and you'll miss it, lighting flash dunks, leading to action replays to thunderous applause. Thor's here, it's hammer time and the only thing baggy is the shorts. The only thing dated is the defense, the only thing fading is the doubt, and that sweet, underrated shot. STOP!

That's Amare,

When a man child, dwarfs everybody, strong arming his way through the paint while towering like a blazing inferno. You know who it is, from rap lyrics to nicknames. Jersey sales to magazine covers and posters. Between the trees, leaving double teams at their knees. Covering their eyes and grabbing their nuts. Dunks as sick as doctors notes, Julius Erving would be proud. One handers that are as hard as pimp slaps, save some talc K.G. This man dunks on everyone from Michael Olowakandi to Shaq,

That's Amare,

When a player joins Skateboard Steve and The Matrix to reload and revolutionise a struggling Phoenix Suns team, rising them from the ashes and giving them brighter days. A man making the Phoenix metaphor more than a myth, burning hotter than that INXS video 'The Gift' (look it up). A man with cold plays in the dessert, raising Arizona like Nicholas Cage with a dodgy 'tache.




That's Amare,

When a player goes from a 20 and 10 threat to a promise, whatever the number, 32 or number 1. When a player becomes one of the most imposing and dominant big men in the L and a Western Conference that includes the best, whatever the number. 34, or two 21's, the larger than life Shaq diesel, 'da' passionate kid Garnett and the machine Tim Duncan. When a guy is just as good as those advertised,

That's Amare,

When a big man goes down on one knee, but stays in matrimony with rehab and recovery for better or worse, he comes back stronger than ever. When a player overcomes career ending injuries to define a season like other former and current Sun spots, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. No McGrady, no 'dyce. When a players strong at the knees and weak for nobody. Coming back with an Eminem 'Recovery', never to 'Relapse' again. Putting up big numbers in his first week, real STAT quo.

That's Amare,

When a man almost loses his sight, but never the vision for the game. Coming back yet again from season ending surgery, late in the game to see the playoffs out. Bracing up and strapping on his goggles, going to work with shades of Kareem, Horace Grant and Moses Malone. His eye on one thing like cyclops, a championship. A superstar, a hero an ex-Sun man. A man who in his final year under the Western sun overcame the odds and almost with his team the champion Lakers,



That's Amare,

When a free agent enters a Summer pool of players that include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki but still commands attention like a lottery pick on dratw day. When the player becomes one of the best and the most important acquisitions of the offseason. When he becomes the first and foremost signing after the July start date. When he puts an end to the names and the games. When he's all in, like EA Sports, or Cee-Lo, the past, 'Forget You', more like 'F*** You'. All for the green, or more like the team, for that championship gold, shining through the influence of the sun.

That's Amare,

The same Amare who now pulls on a New York Knick jersey with pride and restores the same feeling in Madison Square Garden. Now that really is big. The same player who takes his team from the cellar to contention really is a stand out. A man joined by two sharp Italians, a rookie of the month and a great point on his new N.Y. team. This same man makes sure this former joke team has the last laugh. The same man is the only guy really capable of shaping up and standing next to Dwight Howard, the most imposing big in the East. This same man makes Knickerbocker, MSG fans think of playoffs like the Ewing era and even more like Fraizer or Earl the Pearl. This man knows things are going to be more than alright. When this man refreshes the rotten apple of New York basketball at the core. When this may be, M.V.P. lights up N.Y. like Time Square with a billboard as prominent as Diddy or any Broadway show. When this man takes attention off Sinatra like Dean Martin, that's amore, that's love,

That's Amare.