Section 423: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

(Note: A.F.O.M.G. will be in with a post later this afternoon.)

It's possible that by living in Los Angeles I've become a bit jaded when it comes to entertainers, but I have been to the "World's Most Depressing Arena" the last three Saturday nights in a row, and the only celebrities at all three games combined were Brooke Shields and Bobbito Garcia aka DJ Cucumber Slice.

Not for nothing, Slice deserves some credit for doing his thing in a big way on the MSG halftime show interviewing the D-, E-, and W-list celebrities who have filtered into the Garden while the big dogs wait for them to be decent again before jockeying for a coveted 'Black' seat.

(Speaking of which, why does MSG have the worst seat colors in the league? Black, purple, and teal? It's a joke.)

Not having the big names in the house on a nightly basis sets the tone for the atmosphere in the building. The Knicks need the home crowd. Too many out of town superstars and scrubs are putting up big numbers against Balkman and co.

We're talking HUGE stats. Arenas and Twan Jamison combining for 71 in one game. Luol Deng, Nacioni, and Malik Allen combined for 58 points and 17 boards para Los Torros de Chicago. Paul Pierce 70 points in 2 Knick losses.

The Knicks would be in first place in the Atlantic with a decent cushion if they could just be respectable at home. They are a mess in the Garden.

Remember what it was like less than a full decade ago? When I was a shorty and would come to MSG for a Knicks game, it felt like a show. It felt like an event. I felt proud to have a ticket.

It wasn't the building itself that had the magic, it was the people. Indeed, when I used to go to MSG for a WWF Wrestling event, or the circus, or even for a Saturday afternoon of high school hoop, it felt like a dump. Rundown. Shitty food courts, and a security staff of disgruntled old Irish fucks.

Now it feels like that at every Knicks game. There is no special feeling one gets from visiting The World's Most Depressing Arena. In fact, a strong sentiment of disgust and shame washes over you as you make your way up to your overpriced seats, which are overpriced no matter which section you are in.

No more T-shirt or wash loth/towel giveaways, only insufferable 'thundersticks', that do nothing to distract opponents shooting free throws down the stretch (just ask TJ Ford).

But let's get back to the lack of celeb attendance. Mets fans roll their eyes when they see some big wig celeb filling the seats to watch Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and the rest of the gang. But at MSG it's different. The celebrities set the tone, they make a game a hot ticket, and a place you want to be.

It's a shame they only turn out in times of victory, and not those of pain and suffering. From Matthew Modine and Paulie from 'Rocky', to Fat Joe and that dude who is married on 'The Sopranos' to Tony's sister Janice... where have they gone?!

I beg of you Knicks fans, famous or otherwise, NOW is the time to come out to the Garden, and not only just attend a game every once and a while, but be enthusiastic and supportive when you are there.

Eddy Curry knows he can't make a free throw, so why scream at him every time he is on the stripe? Yes, Crawford is a complete nut case, the definition of a 'Safe Haven' player, but will booing him make him take less shots? Of course not.

Moving on to front office topics, it is time to make a deal. Channing Frye and Jared 'Brace Face' Jeffries will not be abel to co-exist. One of them has to go, and I say Frye. Package him with Crawford or Francis and let's get a Zack Randolph or a Joe Johnson or even make a run at a KG or Jermaine O'Neal. Something. Anything.

Jerome James should be 'stoned' to death in Times Square like that short story from back in the day called 'The Lottery'. It will be the only lottery the team sees for a while.

Also, again, shout out to David Lee and his efforts on the glass. Dude grabs boards. Best white rebounder since Mark Eaton. If he has over 8 a game for the year, my homeboy A Mason will take me out on a man date to the best restaurant in this crazy ass town.

Predictions for the next 3 games:

WIN vs Atlanta @ MSG
WIN vs Pacers @ Indy
LOSS vs Nuggets @ MSG and Carmelo drops over 35

- Chris Childs

(Note: The pictures displayed in this article appear courtesy of NBA.com, Hoopsvibe.com, and MLB.com, respectively, from top to bottom.)