The Knicks Fix

The in-game entertainment at sports arenas these days is mostly annoying and ridiculously over-hyped (I mean, grown men diving for t-shirts!). But one standard you can never miss is the Kiss Cam.

During the first quarter of tonight's game here at the Rose Garden between the Knicks and Trail Blazers, the Kiss Cam was on. It caught the usual suspects: Middle-aged couples who bashfully shared a peck on the cheek, Older couples who exchanged tender smooches that drew high ratings on the "Awww scale," and young couples who swapped spit (and maybe their gum) until the producers quickly took them off the screen. There was also a few embarrassing I'm-not-with-him moments and one poor sap got the snub. Another couple offered rigid grins and waves. Clearly their kissing days were long over.

And then the camera found the Knicks bench -- a cliche move, yes, but always a laugh-producer. Channing Frye and Renaldo Balkman were caught watching and suddenly saw themselves together on the big screen. Frye quickly turned away. But Balkman smiled and looked to Channing tenderly.

OK, maybe not tenderly. But he didn't turn away.

He said something. I don't know what. But if I had to guess?

"Aw man. Crazy."

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You'll have to forgive my spectator's view perspective. In most NBA arenas, the media sits courtside, either behind the benches or on the baseline. Here at the Rose Garden, we're in Section 113. Right up with the beer, popcorn and pizza.

Mmmm. Pizza.

It's not a bad spot, but the Blazers did have to apologize before the game for the "obstructed view" that comes with sitting here. It is obstructed because you can't see the court from the media table when the fans stand up in front of you.

When I mentioned this to a Newsday editor -- we'll refer to him as J-Dub -- he said it was probably not a bad thing to have an obstructed view of a Knicks-Blazers game.

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Just wondering if Portland got the updated scouting report on the Knicks. At the half Eddy Curry has 18 points and has seen infrequent double-teams.

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My first visit to the Rose City. I thought I'd be here sooner, but Paul Allen didn't have any interest in bringing the Pittsburgh Penguins here. (Sucker. Sidney Crosby would have people ignoring your troubled basketball team).

It was a pretty view coming in. The sun splashed down over the city as we touched down. But we were welcomed by an attendant on the jet way who said, "Don't worry, this is Portland. It'll be raining soon."

Sure enough . . .

I plan a trip to Niketown on my way to Seattle tomorrow. Any requests?