Pre-Gaming: Knicks @ Heat

or, Bad versus Worst
I want to evoke memories of past battles between these two teams in an attempt to get myself (or even you) excited about this game. But, I'm not going to. There is no reason to watch this game. [Ed. note: I'll probably still be watching because, well if you're reading this then you already know why]These are two bad teams who will both be hoping for the number one pick in the draft.

Instead of watching this game, watch some Big East basketball on ESPN and then flip over to TNT at 10:30 for the Suns and the Warriors. There are many, many great reasons to watch that game.

Correction: That Suns/Warriors game is on TNT tomorrow night. My bad. For some Warriors action tonight check out NBA TV where they take on the Raptors. That's not too shabby.

Pre-Gaming: Knicks @ Mavs

And Freudian Press-Release Slips

Every game-day around 4 PM, I (along with many, many others) get an email from the New York Knicks with the probable starting lineup and the day's press-release-style game notes. Oh, and there is usually an easy trivia question included too. These notes essentially ignore everything actually happening with the team and the things that may be at stake in the game that night while recapping the previous loss as if it had been the previous win.

I used to read these Insider emails as I don't think that they always read like Communist Party propaganda, but now I generally skim the email to see if it contains any offers for discounted tickets and then delete it. I was about to do the same today when something in the email made me pause. It was the picture.

As you can see, it's Malik Rose trying to defend Dirk Nowitzki. This is the picture that is going to make me want to watch tonight's game? A past-his-prime, undersized, post-player clearly in over his head (literally and metaphorically) against the prototypical, next-wave NBA big who runs like a swing man and shoots threes like a 2? This is the picture that the crack PR staff at the Garden has chosen to fill me with confidence in the hours before tip-off?

Then again, the use of this picture to promote this game may actually be the most honest thing that this organization has done all season. After all, Malik Rose playing against Dirk Nowitzki actually does convey how this game will likely unfold: It will be a matchup between a superior (read: West), MVP-caliber player (read: title contender) versus the Knicks. And, we know how the Knicks rate at this point. They rate sort of like Malik Rose. Well, except without the hard-working, respected veteran thing going for them.

Perhaps, I'm wrong about this picture. Perhaps this wasn't a slip up at all. Perhaps this image represents that the slick spin machine is still at work in Midtown. Perhaps the Knicks have deteriorated so much that Malik Rose is now the player who will be dangled in front of your face as an enticement to watch the game. I mean, you know he'll at least give you an honest, professional effort while he's on the floor. He will hustle and make the smart play more often than not, which is more than can be said for some of his teammates. So, maybe this picture was chosen with some purpose.

But, probably not. If the authors of the Insider email were actually trying to make me feel like the Knicks had a chance or that the game was worth watching in spite of their chancelessness than they would have thrown up a picture of Nate, who scored 45 the other night. Or, they would have put up a pic of David Lee, who has been playing larger minutes with Randolph (and, now Curry) out of the lineup. Or, they could have used a picture of rookie Wilson Chandler, who has been getting a lot of run the past week.

Yeah, if this email were put together with any sort of purpose or by anyone with any sort of care as to who received it then one of those three probably would have been pictured. Even in the smallest endeavors this organization brings almost no effort to the table. At least they're consistent.

Sort of like Malik Rose, I guess.

Pre-Gaming: Knicks vs. Cavs

7:30 PM @ the Garden

Lebron is worth paying to go see.

Let Exhibit A establish that as a legitimate reason why you should go to tonight's game if you've got the cash and the time. Lebron is worth paying to go see. Since I have the time but not the cash I won't be watching this one in person.

Things other than Lebron to watch for:
1. Randolph Morris and the Junkyard Gang. Will Isiah again play the end of the bench? After the way he handed away a game on Monday night he best give these young guys some run again. That loss on Monday only makes sense if it is the start of a youth movement. However, I would hope that he manages to be a bit smarter about how to utilize the roster. He can get Wilson Chandler minutes without having to bench someone like Nate with the game on the line. He can also mix youth and experience. I doesn't really do much good to put all Chandler, Morris, Collins and Rose out their together. The only way to get a good look at any of them is to mix them into a lineup that actually has some experienced players.

2. Stephon Marbury. Remember that guy? According to Berman at the Post, he'll be at the Garden tonight. It's came out in the media last week that he had been banned from the building by Isiah. The NBA Players' Association is looking into that allegation, but no one has to dig deep to see that Isiah has thrown Steph under the entire Greyhound fleet. This could get interesting if he actually shows up. I only hope that interesting doesn't segue to embarrassing.

3. Eddy Curry. Just Kidding. Although with Ilgauskas scratched due to injury it is possible that he could get some PT. Or, we could just slot the returning Randolph into the 5-spot and play small. I know which one I'd rather see...

4. Lebron James is a phenomenal talent. He is playing on a different planet from everyone but Kobe right now. He is really a cross between Magic and Michael. There, I said it. He has the desire to push the ball and distribute it that Magic did. He has Magic's size advantage over everyone else and the ability to guard virtually every position. And, he's got the end-game tenacity that Michael had. I've watched him get layups in the closing seconds of at least a half-dozen games this season. The combination of his size and his will are singular. And worth watching no matters who he is playing.

5. Nate Robinson. Before being benched in the game's waning moments on Monday, Nate was having a heck of a game. He's been a good deckhand on a sinking ship this season even if he can get a little hot-headed during the game. And, he can do this:


6. The Knicks might win. For whatever reason, the Knicks play well against Lebron. He brings out the best from Q on the defensive end of the floor and seemingly a good effort from just about everyone else. The Cavs only have one win to show for their last 6 trips to the Garden. The teams have split the two previous games this season, with the Knicks loss occurring in their very first game (in Cleveland) and only coming by a 4 point margin. Gibson killed us with late 3's and the Cavs really stole that one.

Pre-Gaming Knicks vs. Hawks

7:30 PM @ Atlanta

'08 Knicks + '08 Hawks + Philips Arena = One of the Ten Worst Games of NBA calendar not involving the Memphis Grizzlies of the Seattle Supersonics.

Reasons to watch this game:
1. Al Horford. The under-the-radar Rookie of the Year candidate is averaging 20 and 10 so far this season. He's the real deal and he should have a nice matchup with David Lee, who knows him from Florida.

2. David Lee. He was a monster against Charlotte. He was all over the floor, grabbing rebound and starting breaks with aggressive, lightening-quick outlet passes.

2. Playoff Implications. Seriously. This game (and the next few games between these two teams) affects the playoff race in the East. The Hawks are currently in ninth place and within striking distance of the 6,7 and 8 seeds. And the Knicks are only seven games (in the loss column) out of the eight spot.

3. Someone has to win. Points have to be scored. Excitement may, therefore, ensue.

4. Mike Bibby. Remember when he was like Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker put together during the 2001-2002 season when he led Kings to Western Conference FInals? Well, that guy is playing for the Hawks now and this will be his second game with them. And, he's from Cherry Hill, NJ.

5. Eddy Curry. Just kidding.

6. It's the long-awaited and annually contested rematch of the 1971 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals: