Sports

JUST SHUT UP & PLAY! WITHOUT EWING, KNICKS MUST BE SMARTER THAN EVER

THE only thing more shrill than the sound of 48 whistles during a playoff game is the whine that accompanies them.

Chris Childs insists he didn’t touch Reggie Miller? What game was Childs playing in? Answer: No game at all in the second quarter, not after relieving the foul-troubled Charlie Ward and picking up three faster than Dave Checketts can pick up a lunch tab for Phil Jackson.

The frustration culminated in the obligatory Childs technical. Reggie Miller missed the shot, but not an earlier freebie when Kurt Thomas got Teed-up after only 1:35. As boiling points go, this was even lower than a Ward rebounding tactic.

When Thomas, drawing a foul from Dale Davis 24 seconds later, taunted the Pacer forward, Patrick Ewing got into his teammates’ face with what looked like responsible captain’s advice to settle down. We were extremely impressed until Ewing picked up his third foul and responded to taunting fans like a lunatic, inviting more abuse.

“I love it!” mouthed Ewing as he waved his arms. Jeff Van Gundy should hate it to a point where he’s quicker on the hook anytime the Knicks – who after a two-round hiatus resumed acting like Knicks again Tuesday night – look like they are about to lose focus and, ultimately, a precious game.

After a comeback, arguably fueled by their fury, failed, Childs angrily proclaimed he now understands it’s going to be the Knicks against the world. What they had better grasp is that this really is them against themselves. We had almost begun to believe that good results from the smartball they played for five weeks had convinced them of the error of their ways. Turns out, we’re as stupid as they are.

What we are going to find out now about whether the Knicks chances improve without a lame Patrick Ewing won’t tell us what they could have done with a healthy one. But the more relevant question than does this make the Knicks better, is: Will they be smarter? In Game 2, The Warrior strapped on a hot collar and fearlessly led his troops into a burning building. Then, they patted themselves on the back for almost escaping.

It now becomes up to Larry Johnson to set the example. In the glaring absence of somebody who can control the ball as well his emotions, the Knicks could do worse than the mature and deferring Johnson, at least until he scores and begins signing. His “L” will stand only for losers if the Knicks don’t get a grip.

There are plenty of reasons, beginning with the job Latrell Sprewell did on Mark Jackson and ending with Spree on Jackson, to still like the Knicks’ chances, but they have to give themselves one first against a veteran Pacer team whose big advantage is its brainpower.

The Knicks didn’t get the outcome they probably deserved on an Antonio Davis charge with 31 seconds remaining. Gee, a call only goes against one club down the stretch of about half the games, just like rebounds, missed free throws and turnovers, all equally capable of altering a result.

The good teams usually are smart teams who know they can’t get back anything that has already happened, that the next possession is the one that could turn out to be decisive. The smart coach tells his team he’ll handle the lobbying for the next call, which chronic complainers like Childs rarely get anyway. Players and coaches who respectfully pick their spots have the only chance to get the ear of the officials.

The three who worked Game 2 – Dick Bavetta, Hue Hollins and Joe Forte – have adequate hearing, good eyesight and even better feels for the game. They are among the best officials to work the semifinals of the best officiated league in sports. We cover them all, and considering the degree of difficulty, rate the NBA officials a lap in front of the improving NHL ones, and miles ahead of the arrogant baseball umps and the weekend NFL warriors.

Interestingly, on Van Gundy’s list of things the Ewingless Knicks will miss was “the one guy who has the respect of officials, who will get a call when bumped.” A perception like that represents a pre-occupation with the refs that is generally self-defeating. And will be against Indiana unless Van Gundy’s team shuts up and plays.

The Knicks conveniently forget they got a key offensive foul call – on Jalen Rose with the score tied and 1:04 to go. Also, that the 40-28 foul discrepancy for the game was a result of Ewing’s lack of lateral movement, 21 minutes of time by his the chronically disqualification-challenged Chris Dudley plus Ward and Child’s inability to out-think Jackson.

Dumb players take fouls because they get out-foxed by smarter players, then show how really idiotic they are by losing concentration. There have never been brighter Knick teams than the ones of the early ’70s and the franchise hasn’t had a champion since. Don’t believe that’s a complete coincidence, either.