The Knicks won, but the lasting memory won’t be from anything that happened in the decisive second overtime.
Instead, this is the shot — a 3-point heave from Andrea Bargnani, when all the Knicks had to do was run out the clock — that will define the game, captured by MSG Network and put in GIF form by SB Nation. The reactions went from complete anger to disbelief to indifference.
1. Tim Hardaway Jr. (pacing back and forth) – The rookie is all nerves. Witness the towel in the mouth (very Jerry Tarkanian of him) as he watches Carmelo Anthony’s shot miss, the brief glimpse of excitement as Tyson Chandler grabs the rebound, followed by complete despondency when Bargnani shoots (hands go in air) followed by shock (hands go on head, stares off into the stands.)
2. Raymond Felton (in cargo pants and blazer on baseline) – Why??? I am pointing at the scoreboard to emphasize this.
3. Metta World Peace (second from left on bench) – The complete non-reaction. It’s almost as if he’s wondering why everyone else is so surprised.
4. Equipment manager Mike Martinez (black shirt, khakis) – I am going to throw up in mouth. Yup, I just did.
5. Assistant coach Darrell Walker (sixth from left on bench) – I wonder if the Bucks need an assistant coach. Because if we lose this game …
6. Cole Aldrich (far left on bench) – Gosh, darn it! Now, let me hurry up to be the first one to greet these guys before the huddle!
7. Chris Smith (fifth from left on bench) – Very nonchalant. Gotta act like he’s been around the NBA before.
8. Iman Shumpert (third from left on bench) – So, Bargnani’s playing crunch time and I’m standing here?
9. Toure’ Murray (fourth from left on bench) – Hand on thigh and statuesque.
Beyond the GIF
Inestimable Knicks announcer Walt “Clyde” Frazier was (bounded and) astounded following the ill-advised shot, and let fly with a sequence of four excellent questions:
“What is he doing? What is he doing, folks? Why would he shoot the ball? Why?”