New York Knicks off to best start in 19 NBA seasons with 7-1 record
Buzz in New York is rivalling that seen over Linsanity last year, as tight defensive play results in 7-1 record and soaring ticket prices
The New York Knicks' best eight-game start in 19 seasons is building a buzz that may surpass last year's "Linsanity", according to league analysts and sports merchandisers.
New York's 7-1 record is their best since a similar start in 1993 and comes a season after fan excitement over the rise of Jeremy Lin, who moved to the Houston Rockets as a free agent. But they are less than a 10th of the way through the schedule, with the NBA's oldest roster and uncertainty about players such as All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire returning from injuries.
"Lin was a national story, and a great story, but I'll bet if you ask Knicks fans what's a better story, it's 100 per cent this season's start," former Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. "Winning trumps everything."
The Knicks, who chose not to match Houston's three-year, US$25 million contract offer to Lin, have been without Stoudemire so far this season after his left knee surgery. Eight games into the 82-game regular season, New York have been winning by limiting turnovers and playing solid defence in their first full season under coach Mike Woodson.
The Knicks committed nine turnovers in an 88-76 home victory yesterday against the Indiana Pacers, lowering their NBA-best average to 10.4. New York, who next play tomorrow morning (Hong Kong time) at New Orleans, are holding opponents to 90 points per game.