Currently riding a three game win streak the New York Knicks seek a victory over the Toronto Raptors to attain four victories in a row since the tremendous acquisition of superstar Carmelo Anthony and fellow all star Chauncey Billups. Paired alongside Amare Stoudemire, we have all been treated to the formation of New York's big three. Oddly enough this tremendous roster switch has been out shinned by the very team that gave up its biggest stars mid way through the season.
Before that monumental trade became the story of the NBA. New York faced the Denver Nuggets at home in mid December. Just one month prior the Knicks had lost at Denver 120-118 dropping them to six losses in a row and a 3-8 record. This night was entirely different because they were on course to do something the franchise had not done in 16 years. Tonight the New York Knicks were riding a seven game win streak and looking to even the season series against the Nuggets.
As superstars have a tendency to do, Carmelo Anthony led the way that night scoring 31 points and collecting 13 rebounds for the visiting Nuggets. Nene chipped in with 26 points and Ty Lawson had 18 off the bench. Despite the strong effort it was not enough for Denver as it lost 129-124 and drop three games of a four game east coast trip. Post game Carmelo talked about the Knicks play;
"When we played them in Denver the first time, they look like a totally different team right now," Anthony said. "They've got a lot of rhythm going out there, seemed like everybody's on the same page, everybody's doing their part out there and they're rolling right now."
The Knicks on the other hand were led by Amare Stoudemire who scored 30 points while setting a franchise record for eight straight 30 point games. Other contributions were made by Wilson Chandler 27 points along with a tie breaking three point shot in the final 30 seconds. Raymond Felton added 19 points and 17 assists, and Danilo Gallinari contributed 16 points.
- The last time New York won eight games in a row came in '94-'95 when the Knicks won 55 games.
- The streak was broken 3 days later when Boston beat them at home 118-116.
- The previous Knicks' record of seven straight 30-point games was set by Willie Naulls in 1962
- The Knicks have endured three 6 game losing streaks in the 2010-11 season.
Personal Note:
(I am a Nuggets fans, if you haven't seen my random postings at Denver Stiffs)
It was pretty disheartening when the star of our small market city wanted out for the bright lights of NYC. It seemed to me like he was giving up on the franchise that put so many talented teammates around him. C'mon they were a couple of seasons removed from dominating in the playoffs en route towards the Western Conference Finals.
Now that Carmelo is no longer in Denver, this team has transformed a different animal and all the stats prove that it was to Denver's advantage not New York's. What the new roster has done is incredible and I look forwards to seeing what they can do as a team in a playoff series. First try for a 50+ win season, then possibly a higher seed, and many post season victories!
Did we really get killed in the trade?
