Hahn: Knicks' Stoudemire takes over on his court

The image of supermodel Jessica White eating French fries along celebrity row was proof enough that reality doesn't exist that close to the Garden court. That Vinny G kid from Jersey Shore was a few seats down, just in case the theory needed to be tested.

Reality exists higher up in these seats, where the frustration begins with a growl and cascades downward. Amar'e Stoudemire used to love coming into this place as a visiting player because of the buzz and the bright lights. But those same elements that are so motivating for guests seem to have become somewhat paralyzing for the home team, which seems to cringe under the expectations of the long-suffering fans.

"I think it's different because a lot of the fans are not quite used to winning over the recent years," Stoudemire said after he scored 35 points to lead the Knicks to a 111-100 win over the Nets Tuesday night at the Garden. "So when you lose, they really get upset, not knowing it's such a long year and it's a work in progress. So sometimes you maybe get a little sidetracked a bit."

It happened in the first half, when the Knicks were yielding to the Nets more than just the Brooklyn territory, but a coveted slab in Manhattan, as well. With Mike D'Antoni going with a small lineup in the absence of Ronny Turiaf (knee), Brook Lopez took up residence in the paint for 21 of his 36 points to pace the Nets to a 58-55 lead.

But as much as Garden fans grumbled at how Lopez methodically had his way in the Garden, Stoudemire seemed to be more enraged. It might have been the grimiest game Stoudemire has played as a Knick; one filled with elbows, knees and glares behind the play, along with growls that followed dunks that seemed to have a little extra power in them.

Stoudemire said it was: "Just focus, understanding how big this game was for us and the willpower to want to win. That's pretty much what that was."

He was whistled for his first foul just 21 seconds into the game, against Lopez, which had the Nets bench up and cheering. Stoudemire, who started at center in place of the injured Turiaf, admitted he "had to play a little soft" because of the early foul. "I knew the second half was going to be a different story," he said.

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It was written with the sweat of 12 points in a game-changing third quarter for the Knicks, who outscored the Nets 33-15. Stoudemire not only attacked Lopez on every possession, he also challenged him at the other end. When Lopez brought the ball down on a post-up, Stoudemire tied him up for a jump ball.

And when Kris Humphries drove in for a dunk attempt, Stoudemire spiked it away to the delight of the crowd. And Stoudemire roared right along with them.

This was a star claiming his court. This was Stoudemire showing the fans that he was more ticked off than they were. This was a player who didn't crumble under the expectations of the demanding crowd. Stoudemire and Raymond Felton (21 points, 10 assists) also got the pick-and-roll going - finally - in that second half, which might be just as much to celebrate as the win, which was the seventh in last eight to move the Knicks (10-9) a game over .500.

"With Ray and Amar'e running that pick-and-roll, they kind of had that fire in their eyes, like, we're not losing this game," Landry Fields said. "Especially to the Nets."

No, this wasn't against the Celtics or Miami Heat but it was a significant win for a Knicks team that previously had won only two of its first seven games at home.