Sixers & Knicks Throw it Back to 90’s with Defensive Slugfest
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 10: Cameron Payne #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles as Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the New York Knicks defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Remember that scene in the original Jumanji when a bearded Robin Williams asked, “What year is it?”
Yeah, well, Knicks and Sixers fans had to be asking themselves that very question as they saw basketball return to the old-school fashion with defense first, and offense a distant second, as the Sixers pulled away with a 79-73 victory.
While there was no Patrick Ewing or Charles Barkley on the floor, both teams stymied the other defensively with blocks, tips, and forced shots.
At the end of the night, the Knicks shot only 33 percent from the floor, and 22 percent from downtown. The Sixers were equally repugnant offensively, shooting only 38 percent from the floor.
The Knicks trailed 37-31 at the half, and never led the entire second half, despite tying the game at 47 on Jalen Brunson’s layup with 5:09 to go in the third quarter.
The dagger came a little over two minutes later when Buddy Hield hit a three-pointer that put the Sixers up five, 57-52. They never looked back.
The Knicks and Sixers will meet up again on Tuesday at the Garden, in what will be their final match-up of the regular season.
NETS SNAP SKID
The Brooklyn Nets snapped a two-game skid, edging out the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-101.
Cam Thomas led all scorers with 29 points, while Mikal Bridges dished out 25 points in the victory.
The Nets are still 3.5 games out of the final playoff spot.
5 NBA Players We'd Love To See In the Slam Dunk Contest
This weekend the NBA will take over Indianapolis for All-Star weekend. On Saturday night, the Slam Dunk contest will serve as the grand finale of the day two events at Lucas Oil Stadium. That got us thinking about NBA stars we’d love to see in Slam Dunk contest.
Before we crack into the list, let’s take a look at the modern landscape of the NBA dunk contest. The biggest complaint about the event is that the biggest names in basketball rarely participate. Why is that? Well, last year at this time, Front Office Sports dove into this exact subject. “The last time a player from that season’s All-Star Game actually participated in the Dunk Contest was in 2017, when the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan competed,” they said.
Front Office Sports went on to list a lack of creative options, scoring, and top players not participating in the dunk contest as reasons why the competition had declined. “I think they’re maybe afraid to lose,” NBA Hall of Famer, and slam dunk legend, Dominique Wilkins said via Front Office Sports. Of course, potential injury could also be considered.
Though there has been a lack of star power in the Slam Dunk contest, there have been a few shining moments as of late. Last season, there was much confusion as to why the NBA was allowing a G League (minor league) player to participate in Mac McClung. Now with the Orlando Magic franchise, McClung was called up by his then-team, the 76ers, a few days before the contest. He would go on to win and thrilling fashion. Furthermore, McClung is just six-foot-two.
This Year’s Slam Dunk Contest
The NBA Slam Dunk contest will often be associated with the likes of Wilkins and Michael Jordan. In the late ’80s, these legends made our jaws drop dunking the ball during all-star weekend. Sure, we have had Vince Carter and the late great Kobe Bryant go in it and win it. However, you can’t help but think about what might have been, if these stars had won. Some of them came close, while others opted out.
Nonetheless, we do have some surprising and well-received news when it comes to the 2024 contest. Jaylen Brown, one of the biggest stars in the game, is participating. He will compete against last year’s winner in McClung. In addition, Jacob Toppin from the Knicks and Jamie Jaquez. Jr of the Heat are in. Perhaps with Brown participating, we will begin to see the trend of more all-stars opting into this fan-favorite event in the future.
Here are five players we’d love to see do their thing in the NBA Slam Dunk contest.
Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.
