It has been an inexplicable week for the New York Knicks. On Friday February 10, 2012, the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 92-85 at Madison Square Garden. For answers, you have to start with one player. This player has taken the basketball world by storm. He has caused a media explosion. For this reason, I will try my best not to refer to him by name. He is the player whose name we do not speak. Onto the game…
He Whose Name We Do Not Speak
He whose name we do not speak is the primary reason for the recent resurgence of the Knicks. Last night against the Lakers, he outscored Kobe Bryant with 38 points. But he did it within the framework of a team game. He still executed the offense. He still made his teammates better. And when the Lakers dared him to take outside shots, he whose name we do not speak hit them.
Hard Work Beats Talent
There is a famous saying in sports: hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard. This is exactly how the Knicks have been playing, and it was never more apparent than last night. The Lakers are one of the most talented teams in the league. But they were beaten by players who have spent most of this season coming off the bench. Players like Jared Jeffries, Steve Novak, Bill Walker and you know who simply out-worked the Lakers in every facet of the game.
There Is No "I" in Team
The Knicks played a beautiful team game last night. They showed the power of five players playing as a unit. They had excellent flow to the offense. They played truly unselfish basketball. They let open players take the shots, no matter who that player was.
Team Defense
The Knicks have been playing great team defense during this stretch, and it continued last night. They held the Lakers to 85 points. In this four-game winning streak, the Knicks have held their opponents to just 89 points per game.
Save the Coach, Save the Season
He whose name we do not speak may have saved the season for the Knicks. Under his leadership, the Knicks are now just one game out of the playoff race. He may also have saved the job for Coach Mike D'Antoni.
It has been an incredible week for that guy and the Knicks. Fans now have hope for this season and for years to come. And we can all thank Jeremy Lin for that …oh snap!
More from Edwin Torres:
Knicks Guard Jeremy Lin Really is the MVP: Fan Opinion
Knicks Guard Jeremy Lin Emerges After Winding Road in the NBA: Fan Reaction
How to Succeed in Basketball with Jeremy Lin: Fan Reaction
Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.
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