EnySpree wrote:First of all MSG is beautiful. I haven't been since they completed the renovation and you notice the change once you get off the escalator. It's open and more fan friendly. Doesn't seem like a warehouse hallway like it used to. The arena is amazing too. You can tell every seat in the house is a good one. Great sight lines. Much better than Barclay.The security is great too. I had a knife on my key chain and they were great about it. They escorted me to security and I checked it no problem. The security guy was so nice. Just thought I'd mention that because that's a nice change from the last time I showed up or other venues like yankee stadium for example. The atmosphere was cool. Had 2 Knicks fans next to me lol. Everyone else around me seem like tourist or just too cool to enjoy the game. Wish I remembered the waitress name she was really nice too.
I was in section 8, row 6 right next to the Knicks bench. I ve been court side but always several rows behind the bench. I never been this close to the Knicks bench where I can see their faces and everything that's going on. I don't know where to start but I'll highlight Lance Thomas. He made sure to interact with every kid near the bench. He was very engaging to the crowd. Always moving and feeding off the arena energy. Kuz and Willy seemed like they are good friends. They were next to each other, stretching/warming up. Cool to see. Noah is very serious, all business. I barely saw him open his mouth. He looked healthy during shoot around. Very fluid moving around. Brandon Jennings looks so happy. Not smiling or anything like that. He just moves like he's found his home. I love his swag for lack l lack of a better word. On the court he was almost salivating. He was locked in. I get the impression that he is hell bent on making a name for himself here. I was very impressed with everything he was doing.
Melo's son was out there shooting around before the game and during team warm ups before each half. He's not afraid of the eyes watching him. He was just a kid shooting around in the park out there. Very cool and well behaved. The players and staff were very friendly with him. He just seems like a good boy. I enjoyed his presence there. Melo's older brother was there with him. He's a tough brooklyn dude. He was stern with his nephew and Kiyan seemed to give him that respect.
Kurt Rambis looks like a weirdo lol. That's all...
I loved Hornacek and his demeanor. He's very cool. Reminds me of Pat Riley in a way just not in an Italian mobster way. Has the swag of a guy born and raised in NY. Guys were listening to him in the huddle. Guys were close and engaged to what he was saying.
Kyle Oquinn seems a little phoney to me. He's all smiles and stuff when the game started. He started off playing ok. Then when the Knicks were down he was the only one that was visibly upset. Not in a rally the troops way. It's more in a suck the life out of you kinda way. He was making my dad angry. We don't need that type of mentality. The game wasn't over. The Knicks still had 3 quarters to go.
Kristaps did not impress. He just seemed like a regular player. He's very tall though. His body looks like a kid trying to get through puberty. He can play though. He did not look at the basket when he got the ball. He didn't have that energy where guys were concerned about him on defense. He's got to figure that out. It's not about them giving him the ball. He's getting the ball it's just that he's not trying to look for his shot at all.
Oh man Plummlee was the man out there. When you are that close you can see who's playing hard and who cares about the game. Plummlee is that guy. He's a ball player. Fearless man... he's just out there playing. That first foul he committed where they reviewed it, you cab hear guys in the crowd yell stuff like "that's right baby!" "No layups fam that's what I'm talking about!" That set the tone. He was battling Lopez. Lopez is a dirty kind of player. He's not really playing ball. He's trying to manipulate the game playing with the refs. Plummlee is not concerned with that. He's playing hard. There was a play layer on that he tried to bang it on it forgot who, man that made everyone jump up. I myself yelled out "I see you Plummlee!" That to me was a game changing play. Guys seemed to lock in after that....and of course that Jennings behind the head alley oops was sweet as fuck! Plummlee had fire in his eyes running behind Jennings expecting to get a pass.
Shout out again to Jennings. He was fantastic during that stretch. He was schooling that kid Whiteside. The guys in the crowd were shouting at Jennings stuff like "let's go Jennings!" "Get em Jennings!" As few guys were up clapping and shouting their appreciation for his play.
If anyone has any questions, I really was paying attention to everything so I can give insight on whatever you want to know. I had such a great time.... I don't remember the last time I had that much fun watching a Knicks game at the Garden!
I've sat in that section, one row behind the Knicks' bench. It's really fun - from the amazing food in the VIP lounge before tip-off, to being able to hear the coach interact with players, to seeing the emotional intensity of each player coming into the game. It's a great experience.
Glad to hear you felt Jennings is as happy as it seems on television. I'm stoked that he's finally here and wants to make a name for himself at MSG (i.e., on the team - he already made a name for himself on other teams playing at The Garden).
