Linsanity up against LeBron James in the battle of heavy weights - New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Preview
The moment of truth has finally arrived.
In a day’s time, the best offensive combination the league has seen for over a decade – Miami Heat – will be taking on a New York Knicks side which has smitten the league with the Linsanity phenomena.
Jeremy Lin, a guy who was an unknown entity two weeks back, has taken the league by storm. He is new break out kid on the block, the ultimate underdog story, but unlike his first eight games this season; he won’t be up against
a point guard. On Thursday night, Lin will be up against a man, who in the last eight years has proved himself to be the most complete player of his generation – a guy who goes by the name of LeBron James.
James is not only the best small forward in the league; he is also the playmaker in chief for the Heat. He is the one who stretches the court for them and at the same time, with his explosive pace and athleticism, can out maneuver,
out think and outplay the very best in the business. And he is leading a side that has so far been the best offensive unit this season; a side which prides itself on defense and is on seven game winning streak.
However, the night will not just be about a duel between Lee and LeBron. Miami just don’t play like that. For them, the team comes first and individual glory later.
"It's not about Jeremy Lin versus LeBron James," D-Wade when asked about the mouthwatering contest said. "It's the Miami Heat versus the New York Knicks."
Lee will also not be alone. There will be Carmelo Anthony and Amare’ Stoudemire by his side. The duo, which was supposed to start something great for the Big Apple franchise this season, haven’t been their own selves this season.
However, a game against the likes of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh might just be the catalyst to get them going.
Carmelo had a poor comeback against the New Jersey Nets which resulted in the Knicks first loss after seven games without him. With the ‘selfish’ brand hovering above him, he has a point to prove and Heat need to be aware of that.
For Stoudemire, the emergence of Lee means that the ball can finally reach him deep in the paint and he has no longer be the stand-and-look guy.
Then there is the contest of the bench strength. With Norris Cole, Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on the list, the Heat definitely have an edge. But, Steve Novak has shown superb skills from distance
off late and with J.R. Smith’s addition to the squad, the Knicks do have some cards to play with.
With so much at stake, the game is expected to be one h**l of a cracker. Erik Spoelstra, the Heat coach summed up the situation perfectly in a press brief;
"This will be a game that won't require a lot of motivation, by either team," He said. "It'll be good for the fans."
The rivalry between Heat and the Knicks is well storied but come Thursday night, the game won’t just be a matter of win or loss; it will be a matter of reputation - a question of legacies.
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