The Knicks knew that this season, with the promise of a patient rebuild, would have its growing pains. But amid the hoopla of opening night, they didn’t want it to be right from the opening tip.
The enthusiasm of first-year coach David Fizdale and the confidence of the young team was tested as the Knicks slumped to the bench just three minutes and 57 seconds into the season, trailing the Atlanta Hawks by eight points, having missed their first nine field-goal attempts. And when a fan took the floor during the timeout and banked in a half court shot to win $10,000 it just seemed like salt in the wound.