Knicks Looking To Improve At 17-5, While The Lakers Are Just…Looking.
LA Lakers at New York
Time: 8:00 PM (ET) | Tonight
Network: TNT
It’s weird to think The Black Mamba coming to the mecca, Madison Square Garden, and playing the Knicks would be the second biggest story of a game, but tonight it is. While the Lakers have struggled with a below .500 record as they’re expected by most win, the Knicks have re-surged this year for the first time in nearly 14 years becoming a legit threat for the NBA Championship next June.
The MVP of the regular season thus far has been hands down Carmelo Anthony as this season his career’s taken a rebirth with the arrival mentor Jason Kidd to help guide him on and off the court into become a future champion. Like previously stated, the Lakers expect to win; but while the Knicks aren’t, Melo is looking to put his New York Knickerbockers on the NBA forefront tonight with a win against former coach Mike D’Antoni, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Tonight also marks the first time coach Mike D’Antoni returns back to the garden as we expect lots of pro-Melo supporters voicing their opinion against their former coach. Since his departure, the Knicks have only lost twice at MSG with Melo finally finding himself in the City. Carmelo has a lot to prove tonight especially against the biggest NBA franchise of all time, the Los Angeles Lakers and a win tonight could solidify his status as the MVP.
The Lakers can’t afford to lose their fourth straight falling to 9-14 with the top 6 teams in the Western Conference playing consistently good basketball as well as the imminent pending returns of both Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Rubio as their teams are at 7 and 8.
I expect Kobe Bryant to deliver another classic MSG performance he’s known for as his teams going to need him to put forth his best effort to avoid a 4-game skid. Even without superstars Amare, Gasol and Nash not playing; Melo and Kobe are enough to make this game enjoyable as all my fellow basketball heads out there should watch this game even if you’re fond in both of these teams.
OS REWIND: ESPN Conversation: Kobe Bryant