Louis Bierlein reports as the NBA returns to London…
The last time the NBA came to London in 2013, the New-York Knicks completely destroyed the Detroit Pistons. There is no such obliteration planned for this January, as the Knicks are actually in the worst form in the history of the franchise. They will face the Milwaukee Bucks, who, with a strong record, are looking set to bring the Knicks to their knees.
The Charlotte Hornets obliterated the New York Knicks last Saturday night with an end score of 110-82, handing the Eastern Conference cellar-dwellers a franchise record of 15 straight losses.
The 5-35 Knicks, who tied with the Magic and the Suns for the most games played in the NBA (40), finally caught something of a scheduling break with no games scheduled until Thursday, when they will face Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee Bucks in London. Carmelo Anthony, who has missed the last six games due to a sore left knee, is poised for a possible return at the London game.
This break will allow the Knicks to raise their team morale, which is certainly at its lowest point this season, due to good players leaving (Iman Shumpert and J.R Smith to Cleveland) and the never-ending streak of defeats.
Last time the Knicks were in London, they enjoyed strong support from the home crowds, almost becoming the local team. This support could continue in the next game, and help end their worrying run of defeats.
In comparison, the Bucks are holding on strong to a string of positive results (20-19), and are highly motivated to make the losing Knicks taste defeat one more time, this time on the other side of the Atlantic. Even though the team line-up changed during the last season, they are still strong and the bookie’s favourite to lead the game against the exhausted New York Knicks.
Unfortunately for the fans, a face-off between the coaches will not happen. Former Knicks player Jason Kidd will indeed lead the Milwaukee Bucks, but his Knicks’ counterpart Derek Fisher was sacked a few days ago.