By Tennie Sumague
EBC New York Bureau
Madison Square Garden captivates multiple show-stopping NBA games by the league’s best players.
Many may remember Michael Jordan’s 55-point game during his first comeback from retirement in 1995. Or Kobe Bryant 61-point performance, including 20-for-20 from the free throw line in 2009. Let’s not forget Stephen Curry’s first 50-point performance of his career when he ignited the Garden for 54 points in 2013. A year later, Carmelo Anthony 62 points broke the New York Knicks single-season record for most points scored by a team player. The King himself, LeBron James had not one but two 50-point performances in the place he calls “his playground.”
We reflect on some of the best games that electrified the Garden during the Knicks 2017-18 season.
An All-Star is born in Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis became the face of the franchise after the Knicks traded Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The ‘unicorn’, lit up MSG each night with jaw dropping slam dunks, aggressive block shots, rebounds, and last minute 3-point shots that left fans chanting “MVP.” A torn achilles tendon ended his season and the Knicks playoff hopes soon dashed, resulting to the firing of former head coach, Jeff Hornacek after the regular season.
LeBron James loves “his playground”
Whenever the King visits, he reigns supreme.
During the Knicks first home series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, James received boos from fans for criticizing Knicks management for not taking Dallas Mavericks guard, Dennis Smith over Frank Ntilikina during the 2017 NBA draft. James’ comments did not sit well with Knicks center, Enes Kanter.
Cleveland capped a 43-point fourth quarter that sparked a comeback. With about 90 seconds left in the game and the Cavs down by three, the King ruled the court, scoring the last six points, including a 3-point jumper over Porzingis to steal the victory.
“This is the best basketball arena in the world to play in,” James said after the game. “I am happy to be part of this and their crowd is great. Their fans are amazing. To be an opposing guy, it is a treat.”
The debut of Lonzo Ball
Much hype surrounded L.A. Lakers point guard, Lonzo Ball, the second pick of the 2017 NBA draft thanks to his vocal father, LaVar. With his father, brothers, LiAngelo and LaMelo, Lakers owner, Magic Johnson, and New York Giants wide receiver, Odell Beckham, Jr. sitting courtside, Ball finished the night with a solid game of 17 points and eight assists in his Garden debut.
“It was a lot of fun,” Ball said. “It’s my first time playing here. I heard the crowd the whole game [and] it was crazy. Would have been nice if we got the win but it was very eventful.”
Knicks pay tribute to Carmelo Anthony
The Knicks paid a heartwarming tribute to Anthony, who spent seven seasons with the team when they hosted the Thunder. The video tribute caught Anthony by surprise, calling it “bittersweet.”
“[For] somebody who wanted to be here, [I] came here, did what [I] had to do night in and night out [and] stuck with it through good times and bad times,” said the 14-time All-Star. “I had hopes and dreams of winning a championship here. I have always been part of this culture. Playing with the Knicks is deeper than basketball when it comes to me and the city.”
Washington Wizards magical comeback
One of greatest comebacks came in the hands of the Washington Wizards during the 50th anniversary of the first Knicks game played at MSG. In a game where Knicks forward Tim Hardaway scored 32 points in the first half, the Wizards regrouped, limited Hardaway to five points in the second half, and came from a 27-point deficit to win by five.
“It’s embarrassing,” said Hardaway about the loss. “They were down 27 and we had the opportunity to close the door and go into the break with a great mindset. It sucks to let this one go like that.”
Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving dominates the Garden
Knicks fans never cheer for the Boston Celtics, but sometimes Kyrie Irving is the exception.
The New Jersey native grew up a Knicks fan, and the split crowd of Irving and New York fans inspired the five-time All-Star to perform his best.
“I’m from New Jersey, let’s get that straight,” said Irving. “But I love New York and I’m from Jersey. Playing in The Mecca is always fun. It has a way of bringing out the best in people. It’s a high matchup; a lot of people come to watch the Knicks play. You just want to play well on a floor like this and get a great team win.”
Golden State Warriors conquer the Garden
Never will one see MSG filled with children and adults sporting any opponent’s jerseys except when the Golden State Warriors come to town. Fans rocked out their Curry and Durant jerseys. Several even sported current St. John’s Red Storm Head Coach and former Warriors player and executive Chris Mullin’s number 17 jersey.
The game was one-sided in favor of the NBA champions, who currently rides a six-game winning streak at the Garden.
Kevin Durant took notice of the energy.
“The energy at the Garden is amazing, it’s the Mecca of basketball,” said Durant. “When you grew up in the streets playing streetball, you know what the city is all about. It’s pure basketball fans here [behind] Broadway, the lights, Times Square. That excitement that you get at the Garden is second to none.”
(Eagle News Service, with contributions from Joanne Blanco Soriano, Rod Delapaz, Marco Docena, Abigael Mayao, and Lawrence Page)