Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The New York Knickerbockers



















I first started watching the Knicks when they were in the playoffs in '94. I was in 4th grade and one of my friends told me to watch them play on TV. I would keep going home and looking at the TV Guide and only seeing something about a "conference" on channel 4. In my mind, my innocent mind, I figured I didn't want to watch a bunch of men sitting around the table discussing things. But my friend kept telling me and telling me and I finally tuned into the "Eastern Conference Semifinals." Bulls vs. Knicks. Game 7.

I would watch the rest of that mesmerizing playoff series and fall in love. Until John Starks broke my heart in the Finals.

It was easy to be a Knicks fan in the 90s. We were pretty good! Plus we had that sick rivalry with the Heat when we would get into a fight every year in the playoffs.




















Then came the 2001-2002 season. And after that, I lost interest. Yea you can blame me for being a fair-weather fan, but it's not like the Knicks were winning a championship every year (a la Yankees). They just had character. The teams after 2001 did not. They were just a collection of overpaid, under-performing, former superstars. And the management... ugh, just fucking awful.

So now comes this season. The season we have all been waiting for. I would say that even with all the hype I probably would have only watched secondhandly. But ehre has been a perfect storm of events that now have me thinking I can be into the Knicks as much as I was back in the 90s.

First off, the Yankees most recently pissed me off to no end. Not like from 2001-2008. But more of a "wow, you were just so pathetic you really did not deserve to go to the WS" way. So now my NY sports thirst remains unquenched.




















Secondly, I very recently had the pleasure of going to a Knicks preseason game and sitting courtside (my view above). Now, on the one hand this has ruined all future live games for me because there is nothing like sitting literally on the court. On the other though, for the first time in 10 years I know the names of most of the Knicks players! I am much more invested in them now as a result of that game.

Thirdly, and this is more of a future investment, I am on the brink of joining an NBA fantasy league for the first time. Now, if my NFL fantasy experience is any indication, I will become A LOT more involved in the NBA in general, and thus in the Knicks.

So there you have it (not like you really wanted it). I am an ex-disgruntled fan coming back to the team I used to love. Win or lose this year I am excited to see what happens. And also excited to beat the fucking heat!