NEW YORK (WABC) -- Kristaps Porzingis threw down a one-handed jam just as the buzzer sounded and Madison Square Garden erupted. This is what Knicks fans have been waiting for; an entertaining team that refuses to quit and some excitement at the Garden. Wednesday's game against the Bulls was competitive and fun to watch.
Then, a costly mistake by one of their most consistent players cost the Knicks a victory.
[Ads /]
There is no denying that New York City loves the Knicks. The argument has been made before that this is a basketball town and that argument is strongest when the Knicks are winning. After a hot start though, wins have been few and far between.
Porzingis is a one-of-a-kind player. Jarrett Jack and Michael Beasley are having resurgent seasons. Frank Ntilikina has shown flashes of what he is capable of and a few of these late-game collapses might have been avoided if Tim Hardaway Jr. was healthy. However, there is a very fine line between competing and winning and, as it currently consists, this team is just good enough to compete.
[Ads /]
There is enough parity in the Eastern Conference that the Knicks could squeak into the playoffs as a seven or eight seed. Considering what this fan base has been through in recent years, that would be a huge improvement as long as fans can temper their expectations.
AP
(Bill Kostroun)