Knicks vs. Hawks: Video Highlights, Twitter Reaction, Grades and More

The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-112 in a defense-less, but exciting Sunday afternoon tilt. Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony were together again for only the second time since Stat returned from his back injury. Both of them were rock-solid on the offensive end, but soft as Twinkie fillings on defense.

The Knicks played without center Tyson Chandler, who was out with a knee injury, and his presence was missed.

I'm not sure what the Hawks' excuse was for not showing up defensively, but their defensive resistance was lacking.

The game didn't lack for intensity and emotion, though—which is rare for a poor defensive game. There were several bouts of jaw-jacking, but nothing truly escalated.

Let's take a look at the game in depth.

 

Video Highlights

Revisiting the 1990s?

Boy, it's great to see physical and edgy basketball coming back. I'm not a proponent of dirty play, but this yanking clothesline Baron Davis gave Jeff Teague was right out of the 1990s:

A Marvin Williams Sighting?

Williams had a huge first quarter. The former No. 2 overall pick had nine points in the quarter, including this beautiful hoop and the harm. He finished with a season-high 29 points:

Hawks' Swats and Fails

Williams also played well on defense. Here, he swats Josh Harrellson's shot. The ball bounces out, and the Hawks are on the run, but Teague is overstepping his bounds just a little bit.

He blows the dunk in this exciting sequence:

Landry Bombs Away

Landry Fields was a three-point menace through the first three quarters. Here, he drains one of his three bombs. He was 7-of-8 from the field overall:

Highlight Factory in Full Effect

Joe Johnson drains the transition three to give the Hawks the lead, then Josh Smith rejects two of Anthony's shots. The blocks set up the hoop and the harm on the other end for Teague.

Watch as Teague and Anthony get into a little competitive conversation after the play:

Spin Cycle

Smith puts his man on spin cycle and finishes with the two-hand slam:

'Melo is Unconscious

How confident is Anthony playing right now? Check out the pull-up jump shot from the three to bring the Knicks within one at the end of the third quarter:

Amar'e Doesn't Think Ivan Johnson is Tough

Stoudemire zips up Johnson off the pick and roll, finishing with the flush in Ivan's grill:

Sad, But Fitting End

After such an exciting game, it was a shame to see it end in a folly-like play. It seems fitting that horrible defensive play from the Knicks gave the Hawks every chance to win—but, as usual, they could not capitalize:

Twitter Reaction

Marc Berman of the New York Post comments on the Knicks' lack of defense without the injured Tyson Chandler:

"

"No Chandler, no defense. Tyson making another case for Defensive Player of Year by not playing. Hawks 46-44 with 5:53 left in half."

— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) April 22, 2012"

Alan Hahn of the MSG Network puts Stoudemire's overall performance into the proper perspective:

"

"Amare has 11 points on 4/5 FG in first half, but it's the 4 TOs and team-worst minus-12 that also stands out."

— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) April 22, 2012"

Pheona Welsh is someone outside of the sports world, but she conveys a sentiment most of us share when watching Tracy McGrady:

"

"RT @mayaamor: If T-Mac had stayed healthy, maaaaan."

— Pheona Welsh (@PheesWorld) April 22, 2012"

Kyle Inman, AKA Dr. Hoopenstein, recognizes Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert's solid play:

"

"Shumpert is doing work #whatsnew"

— Kyle Inman (@DrHoopenstein) April 22, 2012"

The NBA's official Twitter account takes the Dragnet approach here, but it points out Williams' surprising first half and Anthony's continued strong play:

"

"At the half on ESPN the @atlanta_hawks lead the @nyknicks 65-60. Marvin Williams leading ATL w/ 15pts. Melo is leading NY w/ 20pts."

— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2012"

Kyle Inman notes the outstanding shooting of the Knicks' secondary scorers:

"

"Landry, Baron, Amare, and Shumpert 19-for-24"

— Kyle Inman (@DrHoopenstein) April 22, 2012"

InsideHoops.com makes reference to the obvious—neither of these teams are playing defense:

"

"The #Hawks and Knicks today decided that guarding each other would be rude"

— InsideHoops.com (@InsideHoops) April 22, 2012"

The Knicks' "Dynamic Duo" played great offensively and on the glass, as Dynasty League Gaming points out. Anthony and Stoudemire combined for 61 points and 22 rebounds in the game:

"

"Carmelo and Amare in full beastmode."

— DynastyLeagueGaming (@DLGteam) April 22, 2012"

The ESPN SportsNation Twitter account asks a simple fill-in-the blank question:

"

"The New York Knicks will _______ in the Playoffs."

— SportsNation (@SportsNation) April 22, 2012"

Allow me to answer that:

"...lose to the Heat in five games."

Grades

Knicks Defense: D

The Knicks defense was nonexistent—but the same could be said for the Hawks D. Atlanta got so many open looks from deep, and Williams really took advantage.

Entry passes were simple against New York without Chandler. He does deserve Defensive Player of the Year, but the Knicks can't fall apart on defense without him.

What happens if he's not injured, but in foul trouble?

Carmelo Anthony: A

'Melo continued his offensive onslaught, lighting up just about every possible defender en route to his 39 points on 14-of-32 shooting. 

Joe Johnson: C

Johnson had a solid game through three quarters, but as usual, when the game got intense, Johnson's level of play decreased. He finished with 22 points, but only six in the fourth quarter on three shots.

Josh Smith: C

Smith is almost always dynamic, but he still made a few inexplicable decisions with the ball and also emotionally. J-Smooth had only 14 points and five rebounds, and he was outplayed by Stoudemire. 

Amar'e Stoudemire: B

His defense was suspect, but his scoring and rebounding were solid. Stoudemire finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.