Miami Heat Embarrass New York Knicks in Playoffs Game 1

It was a total debacle—Knick-wise, that is.

In Game 1 of the 2012 Eastern Conference NBA playoffs versus the Miami Heat, the New York Knicks lacked any semblance of cohesion. And any resemblance to a professional basketball team.

Other than this writer, most fans, casual observers and so-called "experts" expected more of them.

Woe to expectation. Instead, the New York Knicks embarrassed New York City, they embarrassed the Knicks organization and they embarrassed Dr. Naismith—rest his soul.

In the first quarter, the Knicks had about five more points than turnovers (18 to 13), their shooting percentage was in the 20s and all of it was probably because they were trying to force-feed the ball into a stagnant, non-dynamic Carmelo Anthony.

In this game, Anthony turned into normal Carmelo: stationary, dependent and inefficient. 

In the first of this four out of seven, the Knicks true colors shined through. They are slow, they have no real guard play (Jeremy Lin would not have helped), Tyson Chandler is a "B" role player and their two "stars"—Stoudemire and Anthony—register far below superstars like Wade and James (even Bosh, for that matter).

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat was all glitter and gold.

Here are the official player grades for both teams' significant players in Game 1.

Amare Stoudemire

Instead of concentrating on the science of basketball, he "jawed," and tried to stare down people all game—to no avail. He committed silly charging fouls. He failed to play a part in the offense. He was absent for his teammates.

In general, how anyone can think Stoudemire is a very good basketball player is beyond the comprehension of this writer. He has too many on-court lapses and is too flawed skill-wise.

Carmelo Anthony

As the photo above indicates, Mr. Anthony found himself boxed in and thoroughly contained by Mr. James, Shane Battier and various other Miami Heat defenders. 

Carmelo Anthony once again demonstrated that he is one-dimensional: He needs the ball to come to him for the one-on-one move, which takes a while to develop—if it ever does develop. Against an excellent defensive team like Miami, Anthony cannot consistently make an impact. Thus he is not near a superstar or top 10 NBA player.

In Game 1, Anthony, because he does not move well without the ball, was effectively shut down, going 3-for-15 from the floor.

He was relegated to useless forays to the basket and forced jump shots to shooting beyond his comfort zone.

Then, discombobulated, he—like his teammate Stoudemire—lost his dignity and started whining for no good reason.

Game 1: A Carmelo Anthony disaster. 

Tyson Chandler

Exactly what was this guy thinking in Game 1? Flu or no flu: If you're on the court, you're accountable. 

Chandler committed seven (yikes!) turnovers. Included in his bad day was a glaring flagrant foul on LeBron James which set his team back further. Talk about no basketball IQ. Wow. 

Offensively or defensively, Chandler did not exist.

How is this line: zero points, three rebounds, seven turnovers and four personal fouls in a horrendous, self-limited 21 minutes of playing time. He is the 7'0" starting center for his team. Oh boy.

Tyson Chandler led the embarrassing performance of the New York Knicks in Game 1.

LeBron James

In Miami's first test on the road to a possible championship, LeBron James played a near perfect game.

He mimicked his idol Michael Jordan in scoring 32 points in 32 minutes of playing time.

James controlled the game from start to finish—as offensive catalyst and as defensive stopper. 

"King James" was indeed the king of basketball versus the Knicks. No other player on the planet could have done what he did today. Everything he did was done under control and with an ease. His offseason work showed in that James scored inside, outside and from medium range, while setting up the Millers, Battiers and Chalmeres for their own comfort-zone points.

His performance was majestic.

If he can let loose like this against tougher foes like the Celtics, the Spurs and the Thunder, the NBA championship trophy will belong to the Miami Heat.

Too bad there is no grade higher than A+: James would have earned it.

Dwyane Wade

"D-Wade" was not really needed in Game 1, but he added some wonderful moments anyway, executing brilliant drives to the hoop just to ensure that the Knicks would stay down. (Not that there was much doubt.)

Wade shot 8-13, and was his usual prideful and stellar self on defense.

The thing one notices about him is that he is so mentally tough when it counts.

If his assertiveness was needed in Game 1, all bets are that he could have gotten Miami what it needed.

Wade looks to be in fine form for future playoff contests.

Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh, like "D-Wade" in Game 1 versus New York, was hardly needed.

However, Bosh's nine points and six rebounds are to his credit. To even accrue those lesser totals given LeBron James dominating magnificence was an accomplishment.

Despite the low totals, Bosh looked like his All-Star self. He was in all the right places on the court, and his presence facilitated the Miami Heat offense's fine execution. 

The good news for Miami is that Bosh looked like he was thoroughly enjoying himself and that he was in sync with Wade and James.

Excellent work in Game 1 by Bosh.