Carmelo hit another game winner last night to give the Knicks their 7th straight win heading into the playoffs, and clinching their first winning season in 10 years. While everything is clicking now for New York, there's still a huge underlying problem that needs to be addressed before the first round next week:
That stupid looking tongue out laugh that he does in celebration of big shots.
Every great closer needs a go-to celebration move after hitting a big, "prepared" shot. Jordan had the stone-faced fist pump, and therefore Kobe also has the stone-faced fist pump after game winners. Kobe has also added the Sprewell-like under-bite in recent years to his big shot celebration arsenal. Tiger Woods employs a more angry fist pump after big moments, but there's so many options for appropriate "I just did that" celebrations of one's own awesomeness; cackling with your tongue out is not one. That look Melo gives is more suitable for slamming down the winning domino on a milk crate in front of the bodega on 116th st., but not for a classy New York Post back page. And they know class.
So, what should be Carmelo's new standard celebration? He could bring back Nick Van Exel's raise the roof? Sam Cassell's big balls routine (which I highly recommend incorporating into your daily life)? Reggie's bow to the crowd (later stolen by Paul Pierce)? LeBron's run around like a chicken with it's head cut off? Or something new and never seen before? Bron did a subtle throat slit to someone in Cleveland the other night, maybe a more exaggerated version would be cool. Or how about the knife in the heart that Steve (Smitty) Smith used on occasion? He is half Puerto Rican and did grow up in Baltimore and Red Hook though, so maybe an imaginary box cutter or miming pulling a razor from under that tongue would be more appropriate.
Whatever Melo chooses, he needs to come up with something quick. Or forever go down in history as that guy who made stupid faces in clutch situations.
LeBron runs around like a chicken without a head because he is also shocked when he does something well in the clutch.
ReplyDeleteMelo should do a salsa dance move like the old Ricans playing Dominoes in the summer do whenever some old salsa blasts from the bad radio they're using.
ReplyDeleteGotta break out a cartwheel
ReplyDeleteMaybe he could punch a guy in the face and run away.
ReplyDeleteI think punch in the face is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteHe already punched a guy in the face and ran away when he was playing against the Knicks.
ReplyDeleteI think that's what he was referring to.
ReplyDeleteWere you, Blacky? I didn't think you were into basketball.
ReplyDeleteSpecifically, he needs to punch Jared Jeffries in the face and run away. I sign off on that move.
ReplyDeleteMore players should celebrate game-winners by punching Jared Jeffries in the face.
ReplyDeleteKobe's stone-faced fist pump doesn't only apply to game winners.
ReplyDelete