Analysis: Knicks had little chance at slowing LeBron

NEW YORK -- For the second time in as many games, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni had a choice when it came to assigning defensive assignments against an NBA superstar, in this case, Cleveland's LeBron James.

Once again, neither option was pleasant.

"It would be nice to double him" D'Antoni said, "but LeBron is also one of the best passers in the league. I would rather play him hard, but you can't leave Mo Williams just sitting there and go double [LeBron]."

Unfortunately for the Knicks on Wednesday, James was able to do a lot of both. Two nights after the Lakers' Kobe Bryant bludgeoned the Knicks with a Madison Square Garden-record 61 points, James sliced, diced and dished his way to a 52-point, 10-board, 11-assist triple-double in Cleveland's 107-102 win (Highlights | Recap | Box Score) at MSG. James became the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 to have a triple-double in a 50-point game.

James also joined Michael Jordan as the only players with multiple 50-point games at the present Madison Square Garden.

LEBRON JAMES DOMINATES KNICKS AT MSG
	• Photo Gallery: LeBron's huge night • Video recap of LeBron's game • Box Score | Recap | Highlights • First Kobe, now LeBron

"Anytime you can be put in a class like Michael Jordan, it means a lot," James said. "That is the guy I looked up to growin up as an idol of mine. No one will ever get to that level that Michael is, but to be mentioned in the same breath as him, it is an honor for me as an individual."

Still, James insisted the individual digits weren't as important to the one the Cavs added to their win column.

"Like I said before tonight's game, Kobe Bryant's performance was unbelievable," James said. "The biggest part was that they won the game. He was able to accomplish that.

"I feel the same way. I think tonight was a good performance for me individually, but the biggest thing is that we won the ball game."

Both James and Cavs coach Mike Brown downplayed any thought that LeBron would go on his own just to try to match Bryant. Smartly, neither man wanted to set up a scenario where they admitted to thinking about taking a shot at Bryant's record. If they had done that, not only do they set unrealistic expectations, but then the game becomes basketball's version of golf -- you're not playing an opponent, you're playing the field and the course.

But make no mistake, the Knicks were worthy opponents on Wednesday, a stark contrast to Monday's game when the Garden was half filled with purple-and-gold clad Lakers fans chanting "M-V-P!" every time Bryant stepped to the line. D'Antoni admitted his team felt a little down Monday against the Lakers. Against the Cavs, D'Antoni believed his team rose to the challenge.

"I thought if things were a little bit different the last couple minutes, we could have won this game," D'Antoni said. "I think it's very encouraging. I'm proud of the way they battled.

"[The Cavs are] a team that's been through some Finals and different things. They're ahead of us right now, but there are some very encouraging sings and we just keep battling and see if we could just do a little bit better."

The Garden faithful also did a little better on Wednesday. Knicks fans on the Internet were incensed about the warm reception Bryant received on Monday. The home team also gave the die-hards a reason to cheer. Al Harrington tied a season-high with 39 and added 13 boards. With 12 points and 10 rebounds, David Lee had his 36th double-double in 47 games.

But as good as the Knicks were, James was better. For most of the season, Brown has had James handle the ball less and play more from the wings as Bryant does in the Lakers' triangle. On Wednesday, James looked for his shot early and did some shaking-and-baking on the wings. He also found himself isolated at the top of the key against one of the Knicks' bigs.

"They came out and started switching all of our pick-and-rolls," Brown said. "They put a guy like David Lee on him. They put a guy like Tim Thomas on him and in that situation, hey, we need to open the floor up and let the big fella go to work."

James worked. At the 2:35 mark of the first quarter, James had 18 points and New York had 17. When James grabbed his first rebound of the game, he surpassed Bryant's Monday total. He took 33 shots, two more than Bryant took on Monday.

And late, those shots were important. The Cavaliers were clinging to a 100-99 lead in the fourth quarter, when James found himself at the three-point line, guarded by Lee. James took four huge steps back as if he was readying himself for takeoff, which is exactly what he did.

As this scene unfolded, a voice from behind press row cried, "Somebody help him!" The fan wanted to see a double-team, but it sounded more as if Lee were about to be squished by an oncoming vehicle. James blew by Lee for a layup for a three-point lead and crushed any hopes the Knicks may have had pulling out the game.

The Cavaliers now have three days off before they host Bryant and the Lakers on Sunday. James, for one, can't wait.

"I know they play Boston tomorrow in Boston," James said, "so they will get into Cleveland a day early. I will try to reach out to him after being able to be good friends with him over the summer.

"It's going to be a show on Sunday."

Yes it will be, even if it's not at Madison Square Garden.