Hamilton: Given Opportunity, Chris Copeland Helps Knicks Live To Fight Another Day

Earlier in the third, Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler found themselves in foul trouble and Woodson went to Copeland earlier than he imagined he would. Yes, the rookie came up big on the offensive end, but he earned minutes down the stretch of the fourth quarter because he battled underneath for boards—many of which he did not get—and he played solid defense.

Speaking after the game, Pacers coach Frank Vogel praised Copeland’s offensive contributions, but although Copeland has not earned the reputation of a defensive stalwart like his mentors Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby, Vogel made a comment worth correcting.

“Not a surprise,” Vogel said when asked what he thought of Copeland’s Game 5 performance.

“We know he’s a terrific, terrific offensive player,” he added.

Then, he paused.

“Well, he’s a good player all the way around,” the coach admitted.

And rightfully so.

As the series shifts back to Indianapolis for a Game 6, the Knicks believe they may have found something. The energy was there, their offensive spacing was there, and pick-and-rolls between Pablo Prigioni and Kenyon Martin, Felton and Martin and Felton and Chandler actually worked.

Jason Kidd and Amar’e Stoudemire were each conspicuously absent—playing just 5:20 and 6:34, respectively. And collectively, Knicks fans simply wonder: “What took so long?”

Now, with George Hill’s concussion, Smith’s potentially coming out of his shooting funk, and a belief that they can make history, the Knicks will make the trek back to the house that Reggie Miller built.

For that, they should thank Copeland.

After it was all said and done, he was clearly a newbie to the undivided attention of the Garden’s entire media enclave. In the press room, Copeland spoke freely, but quietly, forgetting to speak into the microphone.

He struggled to make eye contact with those asking him questions and he apologized.

And at the end of his time, he was asked one final question.

This season, as a rookie, Copeland has been hazed, mostly by Marcus Camby. Earlier this season, it became known that Camby forced Copeland to wear a pink Disney backpack to games.

After Game 5, Copeland had a dark green duffle bag with him. When asked whether he got “permission” to ditch the pink one, a very light moment ensued when he reached into his duffle bag and pulled the pink backpack out from inside of it.

Under the directive of Camby, the pink backpack must stay with him.

“This thing has been through wars,” Copeland said, pointing out the flaws and imperfections in the bag.

“It’s still with me, for the record,” he added. “If I don’t show [Camby and Wallace], they’re gonna be like I didn’t bring it. It’s still here.”

Once the laughter died down, Copeland, like he did in our brief encounter earlier, gave the media a glimpse of his serious side.

“Those guys have been helpful,” he said, obviously not joking, anymore.

“The whole team, honestly, has been great. Top to bottom… It’s been a big time brotherhood, everybody’s looking out. I’m thankful to be on this team because I’m sure that not every team has this many guys who want to see you succeed,” he said.

Well, on Thursday night, you can bet your bottom dollar that all of the Knicks did. And fortunately for them, he did.

As the Knicks pack their bags for one more trip to Indianapolis, they are collectively hoping for a victory.

Just win. Just get this series back to New York for a Game 7. Just maybe, make history.

Now trailing 3-2, the Knicks have that opportunity.

Thanks to Copeland, it still exists.

Moke Hamilton is a Senior NBA Columnist for SheridanHoops whose columns appear here during the regular season on Tuesdays and Fridays.