Fans of teams with horrific records such as Sacramento’s, the Knicks’ opponent on Friday, find only fleeting triumphs by which to remember their seasons.
For the Kings (8-28), that moment came on Dec. 29, when Tyreke Evans uncoiled a last-second, 50-foot heave that beat the Memphis Grizzlies. As a Sacramento native with a memory of better times (and of mediocre times that were still a lot more fun), I like to think of Evans, the injury-ravaged reigning Rookie of the Year, frozen in that moment, a star of infinite possibility. That’s better than facing the depressing NBA League Pass reality of the present Kings, who arrive here on a 12-game road losing streak.
And so the resurgent Knicks (22-16), back from a 2-2 West Coast road trip, have easy prey awaiting them at Madison Square Garden. All the better to fuel a turnaround that has returned the local five from the NBA oblivion the Kings now occupy.
Sacramento’s roster, a puzzling heap of uncomplementary parts, has led coach Paul Westphal to try 16 different starting lineups. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, by contrast, has started three bedrock players — Raymond Felton, Landry Fields and Amar’e Stoudemire — all season.
Consistency and discipline: These Knicks have what teams such as the Kings — and their fans — have not.
On TV: Sacramento (8-28) at Knicks (22-16), Fri., 7 p.m. MSG
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
