Knicks vs. Bulls: Possible 1st-Round Playoff Preview a Blessing for the NBA
It was just two days ago when New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony had his defining moment in a Knicks uniform, scorching the Chicago Bulls for 43 points in an overtime victory at Madison Square Garden.
Those same two teams get back at it tonight in Chicago, and while it's an important game for both teams, it's never too early to think about a possible first-round playoff matchup between the two franchises.
If that happens, it will be a blessing for the NBA.
Having both the Bulls and Knicks relevant is huge for the NBA, given not only the storied histories of both franchises, but the fact that both are in major NBA markets.
They haven't met in the playoffs since the 1996 season, when Chicago sent the Knicks home from the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Since that season, both franchises have made the postseason in the same year only three times (1997, 1998, 2011).
For the NBA fan, this is the first-round series they are rooting for. Think about the storylines that would be surrounding it.
For the Knicks, it's a flashback to the decade of the 90's, where New York came so close, but could never get past Michael Jordan and company as the Bulls knocked the Knicks out of the postseason all five times they met in the decade.
In addition to 96, Chicago sent the Knicks packing each season from 1991-94.
Knicks fans saw the greatness of Jordan firsthand, and while they thought each year was their year, they could never get over the hump.
Charles Smith's blown layups in 1993 are still a tough sight to watch.
While Anthony's heroics on Sunday had the feel of a playoff game, re-igniting a playoff rivalry between the two franchises is great for the sport, especially with the talent on both teams.
Some feel the Knicks are title contenders right now, but to get to that long-awaited goal, it's almost fitting that they would have to go through Chicago one way or another.
For the Bulls, it's a little simpler.
They have the trophies from the 90's, and under the leadership of reigning MVP Derrick Rose, they showed last season that they aren't far away from rekindling the magic that was once in Chicago.
It's been 14 years since Chicago last won a championship. While the faces are different, the Bulls wouldn't mind going through New York to win another. It would be just like old times.
Memories are made in the postseason, and reigniting a once bitter rivalry would be a blessing for the NBA and its fans, as television ratings would be through the roof.
On the court, though, special things just seem to happen when the two franchises meet.
Give me a seven-game playoff series and watch more memories be created for the new generation of NBA fans.
