Make no mistake, a home loss to the New Jersey Nets would be slightly distressing for most any team in the NBA. Few teams would be expected to lose such a contest; therefore creating a built-in expectation to win and, maybe, a bit of anxiety that sets in when things start going awry during a game which shouldn’t be that difficult.

Imagine that for any team. Imagine that for the Atlanta Hawks. Then, imagine that combined with the uncontrollable avalanche that is the Linsanity-stricken New York Knicks in front of a Madison Square ...