Composure

It's a noun. And is defined as a "calmness or repose especially of mind, bearing, or appearance. It is also something that is lacked by the New York Knickerbockers and this deficiency cost them last night's game against the visiting Rockets.

Knicks 92-101 Rockets

It happened so quickly that the camera couldn't even pan up until it was over. It happened so quickly that neither Breen nor Frazier could get the words out until it was over. And in this fleeting moment the game was lost. Very, very early in the fourth quarter of a game that the Knicks had been playing very well in after a dismal start, Isiah Thomas got himself tossed as the Rockets took a 3-point lead.

This was the largest lead that Houston had since early in the second quarter and by all accounts this was a heated ballgame. That is until Isiah either initiated contact with the official (a toss-able offense) or just said something so vile and succinct that he was ejected without a second thought (or a first technical foul). Either way, the team lost the plot at that point. Ballgame.

The Rockets went on a 12-2 run in the ensuing few minutes led by Alston, Scola and Yao held the Knicks off down the stretch.