Live Thread: Knicks @ Cavs

In the year 2000, the Knicks were dreaming of the title that eluded them the previous year in the NBA Finals, and the Cavaliers muddled through an aimless rebuild with no end in sight. Fifteen years later, the roles have reversed in every sense of the word. The Cavs roster is stocked full of All-Stars, and guys willing to take a pay cut to be along for the ride. Broadway may be the great white way, but Playhouse Square is the theatre district a few blocks away from basketball immortality. Rockefeller Center bears John D.’s bust, but the Arcade had it first, and Cleveland owns his bones.

Tonight, the Knicks pay a visit to a different sort of “Basketball Mecca” on the shores of Lake Erie, one that they can only pine for and hope to someday achieve. They’ve begun to build for the future with promising blocks like Kristaps Porzingis (who will play despite suffering a strained neck in his last game, when he literally had to bear the weight of Carmelo). For now, however, old Phil will have to resign himself to yet another season of trying to fit round pegs into a triangle shaped hole.

The Cavs will be without the services of J.R. tonight (and likely for the next couple of games), but taking his place in the starting lineup reportedly will be the man with his inverse initials, R.J. Also, Richard Jefferson starting won’t be the Cavs’ only change to their look, as they’ll take the floor in their brand new black, sleeved uniforms.

Gametime is 8pm (EST), and is on National Television (ESPN). So, tune in, chime in, and let’s get “all in.”