Eisley (3-5, 7 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB, 16 MIN), a recent summer acquisition of the Knicks, began the season looking as if he would reprise Othella Harrington's 2000-01 role of "most squandered talent"; however, last night after the Knicks starting lineup flawlessly blew a solid 1st half lead, he proved himself a true warrior and dependable clutch player, leading to much speculation concerning his current role on the team. After seeing him tear down a Blazers comeback the way he did, I would consider making him our full-time 4th quarter point guard, and possibly even bringing him in during the middle of the 3rd.

The game began well enough, with the Kurt Thomas (11 PTS, 13 REB) replacing Foulton Spencer (who thankfully did not play at all) at the starting Center position, backed up at Power Forward by Clarence Weatherspoon (12 PTS, 13 REB). Thomas won the tip over Rasheed Wallace (14 PTS, 12 REB), an immediate effect of this improved starting lineup, and the Knicks promptly built up an 8-1 lead. Led by a 13-point explosion by Allan Houston (23 PTS, 5 REB) and heavy contributions by Mark Jackson (8 PTS, 3 AST, 5 REB) and Kurt Thomas, New York cruised to a 30-19 lead by the end of the quarter.

The Trailblazers opened up the 3rd with a 9-2 run, closing to within 4 by the 8:17 mark until Othella Harrington (4 PTS, 1 REB, 20 MIN) halted Portland's dash with a nicely placed shot to bring the Knicks back up by 6. The quarter proceeded with both teams playing relatively competitive ball, and ended with a 9 point Knick lead at the half. The score at halftime was 51-43.

Although Latrell Sprewell (10 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB) suffered from an inability to put the ball in the hole (4-14 FG), he was productive on both ends, defending vigorously, and effortlessly dishing into the paint and racking up assists. I had seen him dish this way before, passing the ball inside to the center with masterful precision; however, when Foulton Spencer is the center, those dishes never convert to assists. With Thomas in the middle for most of the night, the assists came easier, making Latrell responsible for at least 24 points, if not all with his own hands.

I expected the typical New York breakdown in the 3rd, although without Foulton in the lineup, I presumed we'd have a better chance of playing aggressively and accurately. Alas, my hopes were still a symbol of my clouded judgment and the blind love I harbor for my favorite team. Throughout most of the 3rd quarter I winced, covered my face, groaned into my hands, shook my head and prayed for a swift and painless death. By the halfway point, Portland took their first lead of the game and began to shoot ahead of New York. At this point I surrendered my hopes and began having the most interesting conversation with my wife. Here is a transcript of it:

Her: "Look at Sprewell; he's got no butt."
Me: (laughing) "What? What do you mean?"
Her: "He's got no butt. Look! I don't think he's as good-looking as everyone thinks. Now... Who is number 13?"
Me: "That's Mark Jackson."
Her: "Now he's got a nice butt. Sprewell is like... concave."

At some point during this most hilarious conversation, I heard the name 'Howard Eisley' spoken by Walt Clyde Frasier, and my ears twitched. Glancing back at the TV, I noted the following: There was 3:34 left in the 3rd quarter, and Eisley had come in to replace a badly sputtering Charlie Ward. The crowd went crazy. I could feel a revived sense of hope brimming inside of me. This guy Eisley, in an effort to prove himself, could bring The Knicks out of the lethargic, brick-heaving hole they had dug for themselves.

And that is just what he did.

With demonic speed and all-star precision, Howard Eisley launched into the 4th quarter like an ICBM, plowing around the competition, driving inside, effortlessly discharging his weapon with precise, unfailing accuracy. Allan Houston, reawakened by a revitalized New York offense, helped put the Blazers back into the hole where they belonged with a few excellent clutch shots down the stretch, and Shandon Anderson (5-9, 13 PTS, 2 ST) blasted Portland with a clutch 3 and defended the perimeter with fluid grace and inhuman maneuverability. The Knicks, possessed with winning this contest, proved their might and efficiency down the stretch, laying into the Blazers and generating 27 points in a last minute, 89-82 victory. The impervious New York defense held the Trailblazers to a mere 16 4th quarter points.

If the Knicks can play like this (sans the 3rd quarter implosion) from here on out, this team can pull itself up out of the dirt it's been wallowing in since game 2 of the season. If Marcus Camby comes back and gives us his all, and Howard Eisley provides the kind of excitement and accuracy he did Tuesday, this team can rise from the ashes and make itself heard. Currently the scapegoats of an irritated media, and looked down on in the NBA as inefficient and unworthy, this Knicks team has the capabilities to prove everyone wrong, rise up and defend it's honor and that of it's fans. That shining ray of hope, previously dimmed into near-nonexistence by gruesome performances in the last 6 games, gleams anew in my head. Perhaps I am premature in my excitement. We will see. Go forth, New York, prove thyself what thou art! Bring home respect and command fear from the competition! Rise up and take the league by storm. Go into battle and emerge covered with the blood of your enemies! Leave fear and uncertainty in your wake! Make your fans proud, and those of your enemies writhing in fear at your imminent approach!

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