16 points
6-13 FGs
12 assists
4 rebounds
3 turnovers

And not to mention really solid defense on Jason Kidd, and his one-on-one stop on Jason Terry to end regulation. Granted, he missed a layup in overtime (was he fouled?) but for his efforts in the loss, our game ball once again goes to Chris Duhon.

This is an easy one.

27 points (career high)
11/12 FG
4/4 from three
7 boards
3 assists
3 steals
1 block
+/-:  +24

Have yourself a game young fella!

The game ball goes to Wilson Chandler.

For his efforts in hitting big shot after big shot Jamal Crawford has stepped up late in games and has ignited the Knicks offense.

The key to Mike D’Antoni’s offense is balance, and when the team gets great contributions from Zach Randolph (game balls are coming ZBo keep it up) and Nate Robinson, to single out two, the team needs to have someone to step up in the final minutes of games.

Jamal is getting his withing the perameters of the system, which is the best of both worlds for D’Antoni.

We’d still like to see him shoot it better off screens, get to the line more and rebound, but for his efforts yesterday Jamal Crawford earns the game ball.

It should be a toss up between the efforts of Nate Robinson‘s 24 first half points, and Zach Randolph’s second half, which saw him net 25. But we’re defensive-minded here at TKB so my game ball goes to Chris Duhon for his defensive effort on the last play. Duhon got over the screen and contested Jason Richardson’s jumper to seal the 101-98 victory. Imagine that, a defensive play to clinch a victory. By the way, we’ll take Duhon’s 7 points and 6 assists (with only one turnover) and 3 boards every night.

For that, and evoking memories of the good years, Chris Duhon earns the Game Ball.

For the second time in three games our game ball goes to a guy who’s trying to lead by example. Quentin Richardson knows what Mike D’Antoni wants and it’s clear that early in the season he was getting himself in shape expecting to excel. In fairness he has.

What was most impressive last night was not the 28 points and solid three point shooting, it was Q’s effort to try and inspire his teammates with his effort. After hitting a shot to cut the lead to 9 forcing a Bucks timeout, Q was yelling at this teammates to wake up and play, the way he was.

Players can yell all they want, but to earn respect from your teammates you have to show them you are busting it and that attitude should be contagious.

So for his efforts, once again, Quentin Richardson gets our game ball.

Obviously, handing out a game ball for a team that got its doors blown off makes very little sense. But we’ll do it anyway. There was no one in the rotation deemed worthy, so congrats to Danilo Gallinari and Anthony Roberson for scoring their first NBA points. Gallinari has yet to make a shot, but made two free throws and Roberson finished a layup.

There’s your forced game ball(s).

Obviously Jamal Crawford has earned it, as did Wilson Chandler for his energy off the bench.  So, we’ve got a tough decision here to start the season.

One can talk about Crawford’s performance after struggling all preseason, but how about Quentin Richardson?

At one point during the game I looked up and said,” How does Q have 16 points?” That is the sign of an unassumingly efficient game and the numbers tell the story:

28 minutes
5-9 FG
2-5 3s
4-4 FTs
4 assists
4 rebounds

So congrats Q, you get the game ball…