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Knicked Up: Signs of hope, or just a tease?

By Matt Verderame

Feb 3, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Over the past week, the New York Knicks actually played good basketball. It was something that set New York talk radio ablaze, with people calling up frantically to ask, “What is good basketball and where does it come from?”

The Knicks split their four games over the past seven days, beating the Toronto Raptors before falling to the Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Then, on Sunday, the Knicks were able to beat the one-win New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden, bringing their record to 5-6.

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If the season ended today, New York would be looking at the 11th seed, but it is only a half-game out of a playoff spot. Of course, this is all absurdly premature, and the Knicks will probably go full-blown Moochie Norris and lose 12 straight at some point against a mix of NBA teams and D-II schools.

In the meantime, there is credit to be given. Last week, we wondered whether Derek Fisher was mentally alert. We still are awaiting the test results, but at least he has been giving more time to rookie guard Jerian Grant. Grant does not have astounding numbers, but he consistently gets good shots and has shown the ability to rebound. Those two things alone should guarantee that Jose Calderon gets nailed, glued and strapped down to the bench.

Carmelo Anthony has also broken out of a slow start. Anthony, who was under heavy fire last season for saying he was in too much pain to play, only to roll in and play in the NBA All-Star game, looks solid. On Sunday, Anthony scored 29 point on 11-of-21 shooting with 13 rebounds. It was Anthony’s best all-around game of the season, and it was accompanied by nice efforts off the bench. Langston Galloway contributed with 15 points and Frenchman Kevin Seraphin added 12 more, likely with the horrific events of Paris on his mind.

Going forward, New York has three games. The Knicks will host the Hornets in a rematch of last week’s thriller before hitting the road to play the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. A mark of 1-2 would be understandable, although an upset would really make folks feel good.

New York has the luxury of also playing in a horrid division, with only the Raptors being anything to talk about. The other three teams are flat-out awful, giving the Knicks a chance to finish second. This is like if you were able to finish second in a marathon. Sure, the other contestants aren’t aware the race is going on, but damnit, you still finished second. Take that trophy and get out of there.

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