Knicks play lights out in London vs. Pistons

KERIM OKTEN/EPA

Carmelo Anthony gets the most applause and the most points (26) as the Knicks top the Pistons in London.

KNICKS 102, PISTONS 87

LONDON ? Carmelo Anthony remains unbeaten and immensely popular in Great Britain. His introduction drew the loudest cheers, even though the Detroit Pistons were technically the home team at the O2 Arena.

Five months ago, Anthony walked off the very same court with an Olympic gold medal draped around his neck, so the fans were clearly eager to welcome back the All-Star forward. And yet, in the grand scheme of things, Anthony?s return to London in the Knicks? 102-87 victory Thursday ranked second in terms of importance. A distant second at that.

PHOTOS: KNICKS K.O. PISTONS IN U.K.

?I?m so happy that I have a jersey again,? Iman Shumpert said. ?I can?t really think about my knee. If it hurts that?s the only way I?ll think about it and it doesn?t.?

Shumpert passed his first test in impressive fashion as the second-year guard, making his season debut, scored eight points in 15 minutes. It was significant because Shumpert had major knee surgery last May, and his presence on the floor makes the Knicks more athletic and better defensively.

INSIDER: TEAM-HATES? MELO & KG NAMED EAST ALL-STARS

For weeks, Mike Woodson had lamented the Knicks? poor first-quarter starts but with Shumpert immediately inserted to the starting lineup next to Jason Kidd, the Knicks fell behind 2-0 and responded with 16 straight points.

?I don?t know if I made a difference or we were just ready to play,? Shumpert said. ?I hope I did. Guys were excited to have me back and I was excited to be back with the guys. That?s how we should start every game.?

Woodson, who still prefers to call Shumpert ?Rook,? said the guard?s comeback from surgery was a tribute to his work ethic and drive. The coach also felt that Shumpert?s return contributed to the Knicks? quick start.

?He brings so much energy and his teammates feed off it,? Woodson said. ?This is one of the first quarters we?ve had to start the game in a while where we?ve been really good and I think he had a lot to do with that.?

Shumpert, who is still sporting his high-top fade haircut, is a wild card. Because he has the versatility to guard the likes of Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson, Shumpert?s value will increase when the playoffs begin. The only question is whether he will stay healthy.

The Knicks, for now, are keeping him at 15 minutes per game, although Shumpert said he feels good enough to play all 48. And as if to prove that his legs are as strong as ever, Shumpert drove baseline and elevated for a dunk that would have been highlight-reel worthy. Alas, he was fouled and
didn?t complete the play, but for Shumpert to have the confidence and moxie to go all-out in his first game spoke volumes.

?I?m not trying to show anybody anything,? he said. ?That?s just what I do. I?m trying to finish hard at the basket as if I never hurt my knee.?

Health is a great concern for the Knicks because of the overall age of the team. Rasheed Wallace has been sidelined for five weeks with a broken foot, and Marcus Camby has been out a week and counting since reinjuring his left foot at Indiana. Meanwhile, point guard Raymond Felton could be back a week from Saturday as he recovers from a broken finger.

Woodson, though, is encouraged by the progress of Shumpert and Amar?e Stoudemire, who both missed the season?s first two months with knee issues. Stoudemire continues to improve with each game, and on Thursday he scored 17 points and made 11 of 12 free throws.

Tyson Chandler added 10 points and 14 rebounds while J.R. Smith and Steve Novak scored 16 and 13, respectively, in a game where the Knicks led by as many as 20 in the first half.

They are now 25-13 and are off until Monday when they'll host the Brooklyn Nets. Detroit's record is 14-25.

Anthony ? playing in front of his wife, La La Vasquez, and son Kiyan ? led the Knicks with 26 points, including 11 in the first quarter. He was the one that everyone came to see in a crowd that was dominated by current and former players in England?s top soccer league, including Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry and two Americans: Tim Howard, a New Jersey native who plays at Everton, and Tottenham?s Clint Dempsey.

?It felt good out there,? said Anthony, just before being named as an All Star starter. ?I definitely had flashbacks out there.?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nydnrss/sports/~3/6esYe-eX89U/story01.htm

florida primary results black history groundhogs day paula abdul cinnamon challenge lou dobbs rock salt