New York Knicks: 6 Games To Highlight On 2015-16 Schedule
Sunday November 8th vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Feb 1, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dribbles the ball around Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (4) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 92-70. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
A matchup between two bottom feeding teams doesn’t normally get fans excited. But, this could be a farewell tour of sorts for Kobe Bryant, who could be playing his final season in the NBA. If that is the case, this will be the last time that he graces Madison Square Garden with his talents unless the Lakers and Knicks meet up in the NBA Finals; that is a scenario that would be hard to even pull off in NBA 2K as both teams are improved by still a ways away from being contenders.
Bryant always gets up to play against the Knicks, as his 27.2 points per game against them in his career is the fifth highest mark he has against any team. Knicks fans also remember him breaking Bernard King’s scoring record at the fourth Madison Square Garden, when he dropped 61 on the hapless Knicks on February 2nd, 2009. That record has since been broken and reclaimed by a Knick, as Carmelo Anthony poured in 62 points January 24th, 2014.
In addition to Bryant, this will be the first time the Knicks get a chance to face off against D’Angelo Harrison, the second overall pick in this year’s draft. The Knicks were one of many teams enamored with Russell, and were hoping that he fell to him in the draft. That ultimately didn’t happen, as the Knicks selected Kristaps Porzingis and are happy with how things shook out.
In addition to Russell, it will be the first look the Knicks get of Julius Randle. The seventh overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft broke his leg in his debut last season, and missed the remainder of the season. Along with Russell, Randle is the future of the Lakers. Don’t forget about talented guard Jordan Clarkson as well, who gets lost in the shuffle with Bryant and Russell garnering much of the attention.
This will be the first time since December 12th, 2012 that Bryant will be appearing in a game at Madison Square Garden, as he has missed the last two meetings there because of injury. If this is indeed the last time that he will be appearing in New York as a player, hopefully he is healthy enough to play, but in a losing effort to the Knicks.
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