LeBron in Big Apple

NEW YORK — A late 26-7 surge failed to douse a chorus of boos from an unforgiving homecrowd as the New York Knicks dropped a 92-86 decision to the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game at the Madison Square Garden here Sunday afternoon.

The Knicks fell behind by 23 at 81-58, time down to 7:06, before awakening from a horrendous stupor to cut the deficit to only four but time ran out on the hosts. Despite the torrid rally, fans were unimpressed, showering the Knicks with a crescendo of jeers and chanting "Keith Van Horn"to express displeasure over the forward’s recent trade to Milwaukee.

The Garden was packed for Cavs rookie LeBron James’ debut in the Big Apple. Attendance was announced at 19,763. James didn’t disappoint the fans who formed long queues for tickets. He compiled 22 points, five rebounds and three assists in 44 minutes. His two free throws iced the contest after Kurt Thomas hit a layup to trim the gap to 90-86 with 5.7 ticks to go. But Cleveland’s biggest weapon turned out to be 7-3 center Zydrunas Ilgauskas who poured in 31 points on 14-of-22 from the floor and 3-of-4 free throws to lead the Cavs charge. Ilgauskas embarrassed Dikembe Mutombo, Nazr Mohammed, Thomas and whomever else coach Lenny Wilkens desperately sent in to stop the long-armed Lithuanian.

NBA Asia’s Cheong Sau Ching and Joanne Poon arranged for tickets, which I claimed at the Garden’s "will call" window some 30 minutes before tip off.

I went to the window earlier but was told the tickets were not available. I was advised to check back after 30 minutes by a male attendant. I returned to the window and this time, was attended by Mindy Brady. I showed my passport and said the NBA provided the tickets. Mindy couldn’t find tickets under my name in the box near the window and said she’d check another list in the backroom.

I waited anxiously for about 15 minutes then she emerged from the backroom, holding tickets for a certain "Quinto Henderson." She asked, "Would that be you?" Of course, I had given my name as "Joaquin Henson" so the male attendant who previously looked for my tickets sent me off.

Luckily, Mindy had the presence of mind to check if the NBA had set aside tickets for someone. The name "Quinto Henderson" came out in her search. Obviously, the person who made the request in my name used "Quinito Henson" as the receiving party but somehow, in the process of communication, it was logged in as "Quinto Henderson."

Mindy turned out to be a life saver. After the game, I looked for her at the ticket office to thank her again for her resourcefulness and assistance. Unlike the male attendant who gave up without much of a fight, Mindy looked for clues to locate the tickets and found them. My thanks to her and the NBA for providing the five tickets, worth $67apiece, in Tower D, section 232, row C.

I was initially told the tickets would be difficult to score. The NBA said maybe five wouldn’t be possible and asked if I would settle for three. But in the end, somehow, Sau Ching and Joanne came through with five–thanks, I’m sure, to NBA vice president for public relations Terry Lyons.

The sun was out that afternoon although the cold wind made walking outdoors chilly. I was wrapped in a sweater, jacket and overcoat. My hands were kept warm in thick gloves.

But it was redhot in the Garden, at least for the Cavs. Enjoying the action at courtside were a slew of celebrities, including rappers LL Cool J, Mos Def, Jaz Z and Q Tip. Also in the building were actress Julianne Moore and comic Dave Chappelle.

DerMarr Johnson whom Alaska coach Tim Cone tried to recruit for the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Cup as the Aces import’s was in the Knicks roster but didn’t play. He was recently signed until the end of the season. Johnson, 23, suffered four cracked vertebra in his neck as a result of a life-threatening car accident in September 2002 but has staged a miraculous comeback. The 6-8 forward was the Atlanta Hawks’ first round pick in the 2000 NBA draft and played alongside best friend Kenyon Martin at the University of Cincinnati. Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo said Johnson begged off from playing for Alaska to wait for a chance to return to the NBA. The chance eventually came.

It was Wilkens’ seventh loss in 17 games since taking over from Don Chaney as the Knicks coach last Jan. 15. The Knicks organization has been turned upside down after Isiah Thomas was appointed president of basketball operations last Dec. 22. Thomas has brought in Stephon Marbury, Penny Hardaway, Moochie Norris, Johnson and Tim Thomas to bolster the Knicks lineup. He got rid of Van Horn, Michael Doleac, Charlie Ward, Howard Eisley, John Amaechi, Clarence Weatherspoon and Antonio McDyess in a major revamp to clean house.

Despite the Knicks’ 26-31 record, the team will make the playoffs as the No. 6 team in the Eastern Conference if the season ended today. Cleveland is 22-34 and No. 11 in the race for eight teams to qualify for the playoffs.

Knicks front office assistant Matt Simon attended to us during the game, taking time from his chores to visit our section.