NEW YORK -- In the end, all of the tough talk leading to the Hawks-Knicks rematch didn't result in any rough action Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Hawks forward Marvin Williams and Knicks counterpart Shawne Williams, who scuffled last time they were on the court together, didn't have any run-ins. The Hawks' Al Horford and New York's Amar'e Stoudemire, who were involved in exchanges through the media, shared a fist bump before the game and didn't tangle during it.
It was an anti-climatic scene considering the buildup to the game. While the Williamses had said there were no hard feelings, Stoudemire had called out Horford in media after the Hawks' 111-102 victory Jan. 28 at Philips Arena and again Tuesday.
Horford said he took Stoudemire's barbs personally, but generally was dismissive.
“He’s a talker," Horford said before Wednesday's game. "He’s going to talk, you know what I’m saying? All I do is bring my game to the court. That’s what I will do tonight.”
Stoudemire had seemed to question Horford’s toughness, declaring that Horford “doesn’t want to see me," but Horford seemed more amused than offended.
“I don’t understand what he means by I don’t want to see him,” Horford said. “Like we are supposed to be scared of him or something. Ain’t nobody scared of nobody. We are all grown men.”
Williams wants to start
When coach Larry Drew starts 7-footer Jason Collins at center, Marvin Williams moves to the bench. Drew said he thinks it helps him.
“He’s getting a chance to get a real feel for the game, just watching the rhythm of the game [from the bench],” Drew said.
Williams, a Hawks starter since his second season in 2006-07, said he still doesn't like a bench role.
"It’s going to be something that obviously I am going to have to adjust to, but I will figure it out," he said.
All-Star Al
Horford, who has played the past two games after missing two games with a bruised back, said he would play in the All-Star game Sunday.
Horford and Stoudemire will be teammates on the Eastern Conference team. Asked what it would be like to play with Stoudemire considering the media feud, Horford said: "I don't know. I've never played with him before."
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