Mike Ashmore's Great American Sports Tour

Tour Stop #10

March 15, 2005 - Miami Heat at New York Knicks - Madison Square Garden 4:30 pm - Oh well, back to being a fan again.  But that's OK, I've been looking forward to this one for a while.  I just got on the train to go to NYC for the game.  It doesn't start until 7:30, but I wanna get in asap so I can try and get some autographs.  This should be fun, hopefully Shaq goes nuts and posts huge numbers. 7 pm - That whole get here early thing panned out well.  I got Malik Rose, Tim Thomas and Stephon Marbury to sign my program.  Sweet. 10:40 pm - What a game!  I haven't been to a bad Knicks game yet, they've all come down to the last second.  96-96, 13 seconds left, Heat ball.  They inbound it to Dwyane Wade, who dribbles it down to about a second and then nails a 20 footer to win it with a hand in his face.  I'd pay $45 for that every time, awesome game.

The view from my seat in section 348, 2nd row.  Not bad, really.

Eddie Jones, Steve Smith and Udonis Haslem.  Smith didn't play.

The players lineup for the national anthem.

Dwyane Wade, who would hit two buzzer beaters tonight, one far more important than the other.

Several Knicks and Shaq prior to tipoff.

D-Wade at the charity stripe.

Shaq runs up the floor with Wade looking on...

Mike Sweetney inspects the lower lumbar region of Shaq...or is playing D, your call.

And newest Knick #2, Malik Rose.  I met Rose before the game, he signed my program over Shaq's head.

Newest Knick #1, Maurice Taylor

With the absence of the Wanger, Michael Doleac is on the verge of being inducted into my Legends of the Game wing.

Jamal Crawford defends Keyon Dooling outside the arc.