“Al Harrington — who has looked rejuvenated since joining Mike D’Antoni’s squad — took the ball hard to the hole. A make would mean a very close game, and an and-one almost seemed like the most likely outcome.

But Przybilla stuffed the layup attempt. Just blocked it beautifully. The Blazers recovered the ball, and a few seconds later Rudy Fernandez drained a 3. Suddenly, what had been a scant fluke of a lead became a meaningful six-point advantage with 9:37 to play. New York called timeout and never really competed again. Moments later, Knicks fans were streaming for the exits. – Henry Abbott, ESPN.com

There’s a lovely critique of NYC print journalism in the Comcast clip above, but I took greater umbrage at Clyde’s suggestion last night on the MSG feed that a fourth-quarter capitulation to Portland represented “a learning opportunity” for the Knicks.   Surely Mr. Frazier is aware that David Lee is no longer a rookie, nor is Tim Thomas part of a youth movement.

The best thing I can say about the postgame temperment of Lee, Chris Duhon and coach Mike D’Antoni is that if the 2008-09 season is merely an exercise in waiting-for-LeBron, these guys are terrific actors.  With no depth to speak of and expectations somewhere in the 25 win range, the biggest difference in D’Antoni’s team and those that played under Isiah Thomas is that most parties — certain season-long DNP’s excluded — actually seem to give a shit about winning and losing.