Sports writers debated whether it 's a triumph for 1 ) Knicks guard Allan Houston , a previous underachiever who scored 32 points in the decisive game ; 2 ) Coach Jeff Van Gundy , who had nearly been fired earlier in the season ; or 3 ) New York , whose prestige was already bolstered by cleaner streets and lower crime .
Following the defeat , sports writers agreed that Allan Houston and Coach Jeff Van Gundy are equally to blame .