Was eyeing for my first political
blog and on a lazy morning, I was dead serious tuning in to ANC’s ‘Head
Start’ as Karen Davila chit chats with Liberal party’s senatoriable candidate
Bam Aquino. The conversation was great and I loved it, and before the break
Aquino said something that caught my ear which I quote, “[Ninoy Aquino] was a
great person. He was a big influence in my life. It’s not his looks but his
bravery I want to emulate.” For a young and a promising politician, the more I
tune in to his statements the more I am impressed to him but, as soon as I
change channels on our local cable, three notches down on ANC’s channel
was allotted to Fox Sports. And to my surprise, I saw New York Knicks, which is
my favourite team since Melo changed his zip code FYI, about to host the visiting
Golden State Warriors. I was just in time before the tip-off began because I
could tell the Garden was still on the introduction of players. Three years in service in the government,
four years devoted to the study of public administration and the sense of
urgency to come up with my first political blog; only basketball has that power
to stray me away from all of that. Just to tell you in advance, if you’re
thinking that I hit three notches up going back to that news channel, I did
not, and if you’re expecting a political blog from me my friend – this might
not be the right time because I am writing something as what the title says.
It’s not the return of Mark
Jackson to Madison Square Garden, it’s not K-Mart’s debut as a Knickerbocker,
not even Stephen Curry’s career night nor Chandler’s, it’s the full packed adrenaline pumping action of
the Knicks-Warriors game, as a whole, that deviated me from politics to what
should be just a regular season game but turned out to be a candidate for the
game of the season/year.
The Warriors, a day prior to
their game against the Knicks, as part of their 2 day back-to-back East coast
road trip, went toe to toe against the Indiana Pacers in which on that said
game a fight broke out starting from an altercation between Indiana’s Roy
Hibbert and Golden State’s David Lee which resulted to a one day suspension for
the Warriors’ double-double demon and $35,000 fine for each of their two starting backcourts.
“Didn’t think he deserved it,” Jackson on Lee’s suspension. “We’re a no-excuse
basketball team, the team mission remains the same. The New York Knicks are our
opponent and will act accordingly.”
Jackson and his boys were true to
their statement on being a no-excuse team and acting accordingly as they gave a
hell of a fight against the 3rd seeded Knicks despite being
shorthanded.
Since the tip-off, the game
showed that in basketball size is not a requirement but it actually gives you
an advantage as Chandler singlehandedly
surged his way on the board clearly outrebounding the David Lee-less
visitors. Making matters worse for the Warriors, as they haven’t found answers defensively on Knicks’ star
forward, Carmelo Anthony, as he bullies his way to the paint no
matter who they put on him. But the story of the game belongs to the highpoint
man Stephen Curry of the Warriors. Setting a franchise record of eleven shots
made from beyond the arc breaking Dorrell Wright’s record of nine and not just that,
he chipped in fifty four points – his career high thus far. When you say
fifty four and you’re playing in MSG that only means that you just made an
accomplishment of a lifetime; making it to a special group of men who shined
bright in MSG.
To watch the list of men who scored 50 points and above in the Madison Square Garden, click here:
There are shooters, there are
pure shooters, and there’s this Stephen Curry. 11 of 13 three point shooting,
18 of 28 field goals, 7 dimes, all of that in a no rest 48 minute game brought
to you by Dell Curry’s outstanding genes.
Looking at a historic shooting clinic I have one question for you. How can you stop that guy?
If you wonder why they still lost despite a
stunning performance from Curry, ask me. I mean, with no bias Knicks put on a
team effort to spoil Curry’s career night. Melo cashed in 35 points to go along
with JR Smith’s 26 and Tyson Chandler’s monster night with 28 rebounds, a
career high. Five from the Knicks were at least on double digits in the scoreboard
contrary to the Warriors’ load distribution. Warriors being outrebounded by the
Knicks on the stat sheet of 46-38 could also be a supporting fact to a
heartbreaking loss.
I know that it sounds too awkward
to anoint this as an instant game of the year/season due to the fact that even
the Playoffs hasn’t started yet and
there are so many games to come that might exceed this games’ energy. But let
me tell you this buddy, not so many games could happen on the right place and
at the right time. Played in the world’s most famous basketball arena, career
high versus career high, ‘half the size but twice the heart’ kind of game, the
kind of game that puts you on the edge of your seat, and raw talent versus unwavering
resiliency. Mentioned are just what makes a game ‘it’ and worth of a dissection
from hoop addicts like you.
The game means a lot to both
teams. For the young Warriors, a proof that makes them a team to beat even
against the veteran teams, and for the Knicks, a good tune-up game for a very
much anticipated bout against the Miami Heat this Monday (Philippine time).
It may or may not be as what this
blog is entitled but this one totally deserves a spot for contention. If my
words aren’t enough to push you to believe then, you’ve got to see it for
yourself. I guarantee you that is a worth the watch because, for me, it’s so
nice you need to see it twice.
