With stakes being high for almost every game, it is just surprising for the Knicks to get pounded mercilessly by the Nets, game after game. The story goes back to the heydays of Jason Kidd, who led the charge in all the thumping victories over Knicks. Knicks' supporters actually wondered if all of this is ever going to end some day. End it did, with Kidd settling down at Dallas, giving the Knicks something to sigh over!
For most of the Knicks on the field, Kidd was like a bugbear, the sight of whom sent the Knicks trembling down their pants. But with Kidd gone, the Knicks could think of a game plan to stop the Nets. They did, and in doing so, they succeeded in stopping Devon Harris. Devon Harris had a wonderful run until this match, until the Knicks strategy of playing oversized defenders did him in.
The Kidd magic for 6 long seasons officially came to an end when the whistle blew with the score line reading 126-109 in favor of the Knicks. At last, they had something to cheer about against the Nets, something Jason Kidd did not allow them to do at all in the last 6 seasons. The ploy worked and Knicks won the game, but not before Devon Harris showed them what he is capable of.
Everything the Knicks threw at Harris fired back at them with ferocity, at least in the first quarter. Harris with his exceptional skills toyed with the back line of the Knicks and scored 14 points in the first quarter itself. It seemed like a 40 was on course for Harris. This is when the Knicks thought of an ultra-defensive ploy for Harris to stop him from shooting points. They presented a strong defensive wall against Harris, so he could not move ahead with his shooting endeavors.
The ploy worked well. In the meantime, the forward line of Knicks was going about their business whittling down the lead of Nets. By the end of the 3rd quarter, it seemed that the match was on an even keel. But it really was the 4th quarter that made all the difference. The Knicks stuck to their game plan like a leech. With Harris being offered no freedom to move or shoot, the Nets attacks lost teeth, and eventually, the defense lost its sting too.
The final score of 126-109 is credit to the Knicks because of the way they played, because of the way they stuck to a plan. The outcome would have been certainly different had they allowed Harris to run riot when he was shooting down points. At least, with this victory the Knicks would be able to shrug a monkey off their backs. It must though be seen if this monkey stays away off their backs for the upcoming seasons.
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