The emotional excitement is very peculiar... it’s just a basketball team, right? Yet everything is better! I’m smiling more... my coffee taste better... ppl cut me off in traffic and I don’t mind... I think I lost a few pounds... I don’t care that the jets don’t have a QB... I even think my hair is growing back...
All jokes aside, it’s truly amazing the passion that exists and the emotional connection that can’t be explained. Yet the one word that keeps playing in my mind... the one word that I think about as a mature Knicks fan is “sustainability”.... I want that more anything for this year and beyond!
Loving it. I was 21 in The 1970-1971 season a newlywed. I had been a Knicks diehard Knick’s fan for 10 years by then. They were on WOR channel 9. A lot of games weren’t on TV or I worked the 3-11 shift so I listened to Marv Albert on the radio. Marv was magic, his broadcasting was so descriptive it was like watching on TV. I never went to See games in person (no funds for that). Although my father was boyhood friends with Red Holtzman (Brownsville) and would occasionally get tickets thrown his way and go to games after he finished working. He interestingly said Red Holtzman was happy being a scout and not that interested in being a coach. Hey but it was a job, the mentality of people who grew up in the depression I guess. Those teams were physical and had finesse at the same time. Walt Frazier could turn a game around with a crucial steal, it seems, by will. The litigation of the physical game out of basketball was obvious and hurt the Knick’s Teams a lot. Our present day heroes have figured out how to play physical offense basketball. If form holds true the next litigation against the Knicks will be against “Bulldozer Finesse “. Skinny 7’4”” players will rule and we will remember the good old days that are today. Go Knicks!
The interesting thing, IQ is just getting better and more complete every week. I think he is taking things from his teammates games as he sees them up close. Particularly watching Brunson and Hart. But two blocks? A 6’ 2” Mitch? 🫣
Ha! How about being a fan in your “mid-fifties” and having no memory of the ‘73 team. It’s one thing to be young with no ability to have experienced that team. But to be kind of old and not …….
My initial foray into Knickerbocker fandom was the McAdoo squad. By then, Clyde had been traded to the Cavs (for the immortal Jim Cleamons). Willis was the head coach. Bradley had just retired. DeBusschere had been retired for awhile. Only Earl and Phil remained (and Phil was absolutely shot at that point). I remember reading about how we Knick fans were “championship starved” in 1978, having been five years removed from our last title. If the writer of that article only knew.
As for the current Knickerbockers, shout out to Hartenstein for his play of late. He’s garnerd 50 boards in the last five games. Has really done a nice job turning his season around.
In this magical moment I keep telling myself not to get too high, but I am not deluding myself with unrealistic expectations: I don't expect the Knicks are going to win more than one playoff series in 2023---but if they do, that's enough for now. The future is bright.
At age 83 I've seen a lot. I've seen those teams you mentioned. I remember Earl Munroe coming to us from the Bullets and a gobsmacked Dave Debusschere representing the NY Knicks after David Sterne drew an envelope containing the Knicks team logo signifying that Patrick Ewing would be their number 1 pick in the 1985 NBA draft. I also remember Larry Johnson's 4-point game-winning play in the 99 playoff series against the Spurs that got the Knicks to the finals. Those are my personal all-time Knicks highs, but I have a feeling I'm going to be around to see another in this era.
What a weekend and what a night in MSG on Saturday. Randle and the Knicks were utterly dominant in the first quarter and first half in front of the Knick legends.
The fans in MSG were totally spent at the start of the 3rd Quarter after hearing from the legends at the extended half-time. So much Knick history on display highlighted by Clyde’s speech, “we would say, not in our house Bill Russell, not in our house Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West … we are the New York Knicks”
It was an odd second half riding a 20+ point lead much of the way. The Pelicans did not quit and it did get a tad uncomfortable after a second time out with the lead down to 15. RJ stepped up with great play (love the 7 assists), but Josh Hart made sure it stayed out well of reach with his play on both ends of the court. In addition to the hustle and D, he knows when to slow the pace or take it coast to coast (as he did a couple of times) and can hit clutch buckets.
Josh Hart is a tremendous help in holding leads and is going to be HUGE come playoff time.
Yes, they are playing the Celtics tonight, but you did not mention that Jaylen Brown is taking “personal time” off tonight, whatever that means, or at least he is according to a link contained in a story in the Trade Rumors app.
So we got that going for us.
It certainly looks like the 5th seed is there for the taking. Both the Nets and the Heat look like they are in complete free fall. At this point, if we don’t finish at least 5th, it’ll only be because after passing the Nets and the Heat, either the Hawks or the Raptors chased us down from behind.
We get the opportunity to put the Nets in the rear view mirror this week, and the way they looked for them against Chicago, I don’t see any way how they hold us off over the next 20 games. As for the Heat, as I mentioned here a few weeks ago when we played them they very much look like the horse who can’t make it to the wire. Spoelstra is going to the whip early, and they’re not responding. I know Kevin Love had a good game against us earlier this season, but they aren’t getting the Kevin Love of 15 years ago, not even of 5 years ago, and with Lowry with a bad knee that’s not responding, they are in huge trouble. The Nets may find their bearings, but the Heat, with 3 games against us, 3 games against Philly, and 2 each against Cleveland and Atlanta, with the Grizzlies, Mavs and Raptors sprinkled in, it could get really bad, like the bottom falling out bad, like not even making the play in.
You want to REALLY be a greedy disgusting slob?
The 4th seed, and home court in the first round is very much in play.
It’s not as unreachable as you may think. Sure we are 3 games back of Cleveland with only 20 to play, and Cleveland isn’t Miami or Brooklyn, they are playing well. With 10 to play 3 games are huge, but with 20, you could admittedly call 3 games a healthy cushion.
However, we still have 1 more game against Cleveland, on the road, at the end of March. Well, if we take just that game alone that not only puts us 2 games back, but it also gives us the tiebreaker against them. Their schedule is a bit on the softer side, but you never know.
The way I look at it is we’d have to first at the very least win 4 out of these next 5, which means splitting two against Boston, and beating the Nets, Heat, and Hornets. Then we have to win 3 out of 4 on a tough west coast swing. If we can do all of that, and it’s a heavy lift but not impossible, this is the time of year where the wheat separates from the chaff, then we will have earned the right at the end of the month to go into Cleveland for what then will be a playoff level intensity game with home court on the line.
The goal should be to always set the bar higher, whenever you can. Other teams can coast if they want to, we will coast in August, that will be when we take it easy. Even if we don’t beat Cleveland in Cleveland, and we might not, just being able to put the pressure on them and create the circumstance where it is a playoff level intensity type of game, just experiencing that is so hugely beneficial come playoff time that it is worth it to go to the whip to try to chase Cleveland down.
Some of you guys should try being greedy. It’s contagious, you might even like it.
“Greed is good.”
It’s a whole lot better than opening the window, and getting out on the ledge, and hoping you get Wenbanyama.
This team is so fun to watch. What is unique and frankly astounding about this group is how disjointed and poorly assembled they seemed to be at the season onset compared with the fluidity and natural complimentary elements that have surfaced now. We were all content to say that the FO assembled the best pieces they could at the time without thinking about how they’d coexist or mesh together on the floor. Now every time some one checks into the game, we’re excited to know and witness their specific talent/attribute applied to the moment. Pretty awesome and I believe the credit for this really goes to Thibs. I’ve been a long standing Thibs defender and admittedly had moments of weakness when things looked dire and would allow myself to succumb to Knicks Twitter living with the possibility he could be fired at the end of the year. He has since shown us all that team’s require time to find their identities, find a flow and really trust each other on offense and especially defense. Nicely done you old goat!
When you wrote about Randle beasting after the too small comment it reminded me of when Clyde was slapped by Phil Chenier during a game against the Bullets. It was on ABC so I could watch even though I was at college in Ohio.
Clyde just looked at him. Didn't take a swing back. But scored 8 of the next 9 baskets with Chenier guarding him. I found this classic Clyde quote while looking to see if there was anything on the net about that game (there was). This is part of a dialogue on some forum between a couple of fans reminiscing about the incident,
You know your NBA history. The only two things I will add to the Clyde-Chenier incident, was I called Clyde while he was a guest on the Art Russ Jr. radio show, years after the game. I asked Clyde if anyone on the Knick bench said anything to him once the timeout was called. I thought Reed, Lucas or Debusschere might be saving a nasty pick for Chenier. Clyde said "No" and I mentioned how how Clyde scored 8 out of the 9 next baskets and Clyde in his emminently cool way said " Those points were coming anyway, because the game was on the line". Vintage Clyde.
Secondly, Earl Monroe said on the MSG Vault Knicks 1973 show, after that Chenier incident " Clyde tore Chenier apart". Earl was right. Clyde never lifted a hand towards Chenier, he simply destroyed him in the last remaining minutes of the game.
I'm a big fan of the "7 Samurai" story in basically any iteration I can get it. This team has me feeling like I'm watching the montage of 7 finally figuring out their strengths and kicking ass while riding out on horses. So fucking dope to be a Knicks fan right now.
Well done again Jon! Randle's transformation has been a joy to watch. I was a proponent of trading him now when his value is high, but I was wrong. I now want to see how far this group can go as is. if my memory serves me, his transformation did not start at the start of this season. Didn't he kinda start this season like he finished last year. Was there a point this season that we can look at as the time it changed? Any any guess why? maybe familiarity with brunson?
As an old guard Knick fan, the 73 tribute, your writing, and several comments bring back a warm feeling.The Knicks were Kings of New York and their spirit captured the City. Unlike the Celtics and Lakers, who both destroyed opponents, the Knick games often were closer and often dramatic. There were stars, but, because they played as a team, on any given night, anybody could be a hero.
According to reports, Thibs Dad was a Knick fan, and Thibs---living in Central Connecticut [New Britain?]---grew up as a fan. From his Dad, he must have heard all about those glory years and that beautiful, thinking way of playing basketball. If you make the correct reads and adhere to your responsibilities, you will make the right play. And, if you give your all, nothing more can be asked of you.
I didn't know if his vision, his message would sway these modern players. Apparently, these 22/23 Knicks have not tuned Tom out. It appears as if they are mastering their lessons. Maybe, with this group of men, the Spring Knick fans have been longing for returns to the Garden.
Also, the post AS game version of RJ has me forgetting all about My desire for OG. It is as if, during the break, he went to the same school that Julius went to during the off season..
The emotional excitement is very peculiar... it’s just a basketball team, right? Yet everything is better! I’m smiling more... my coffee taste better... ppl cut me off in traffic and I don’t mind... I think I lost a few pounds... I don’t care that the jets don’t have a QB... I even think my hair is growing back...
All jokes aside, it’s truly amazing the passion that exists and the emotional connection that can’t be explained. Yet the one word that keeps playing in my mind... the one word that I think about as a mature Knicks fan is “sustainability”.... I want that more anything for this year and beyond!
Loving it. I was 21 in The 1970-1971 season a newlywed. I had been a Knicks diehard Knick’s fan for 10 years by then. They were on WOR channel 9. A lot of games weren’t on TV or I worked the 3-11 shift so I listened to Marv Albert on the radio. Marv was magic, his broadcasting was so descriptive it was like watching on TV. I never went to See games in person (no funds for that). Although my father was boyhood friends with Red Holtzman (Brownsville) and would occasionally get tickets thrown his way and go to games after he finished working. He interestingly said Red Holtzman was happy being a scout and not that interested in being a coach. Hey but it was a job, the mentality of people who grew up in the depression I guess. Those teams were physical and had finesse at the same time. Walt Frazier could turn a game around with a crucial steal, it seems, by will. The litigation of the physical game out of basketball was obvious and hurt the Knick’s Teams a lot. Our present day heroes have figured out how to play physical offense basketball. If form holds true the next litigation against the Knicks will be against “Bulldozer Finesse “. Skinny 7’4”” players will rule and we will remember the good old days that are today. Go Knicks!
The 70s Knicks games to watch are games 5 and 7 of 1970 championship, Milwaukee 70-71 and 72-73, and Boston semi-finals games 4 and 7 in 1973.
All are on YouTube.
The interesting thing, IQ is just getting better and more complete every week. I think he is taking things from his teammates games as he sees them up close. Particularly watching Brunson and Hart. But two blocks? A 6’ 2” Mitch? 🫣
Ha! How about being a fan in your “mid-fifties” and having no memory of the ‘73 team. It’s one thing to be young with no ability to have experienced that team. But to be kind of old and not …….
My initial foray into Knickerbocker fandom was the McAdoo squad. By then, Clyde had been traded to the Cavs (for the immortal Jim Cleamons). Willis was the head coach. Bradley had just retired. DeBusschere had been retired for awhile. Only Earl and Phil remained (and Phil was absolutely shot at that point). I remember reading about how we Knick fans were “championship starved” in 1978, having been five years removed from our last title. If the writer of that article only knew.
As for the current Knickerbockers, shout out to Hartenstein for his play of late. He’s garnerd 50 boards in the last five games. Has really done a nice job turning his season around.
In this magical moment I keep telling myself not to get too high, but I am not deluding myself with unrealistic expectations: I don't expect the Knicks are going to win more than one playoff series in 2023---but if they do, that's enough for now. The future is bright.
At age 83 I've seen a lot. I've seen those teams you mentioned. I remember Earl Munroe coming to us from the Bullets and a gobsmacked Dave Debusschere representing the NY Knicks after David Sterne drew an envelope containing the Knicks team logo signifying that Patrick Ewing would be their number 1 pick in the 1985 NBA draft. I also remember Larry Johnson's 4-point game-winning play in the 99 playoff series against the Spurs that got the Knicks to the finals. Those are my personal all-time Knicks highs, but I have a feeling I'm going to be around to see another in this era.
What a weekend and what a night in MSG on Saturday. Randle and the Knicks were utterly dominant in the first quarter and first half in front of the Knick legends.
The fans in MSG were totally spent at the start of the 3rd Quarter after hearing from the legends at the extended half-time. So much Knick history on display highlighted by Clyde’s speech, “we would say, not in our house Bill Russell, not in our house Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West … we are the New York Knicks”
It was an odd second half riding a 20+ point lead much of the way. The Pelicans did not quit and it did get a tad uncomfortable after a second time out with the lead down to 15. RJ stepped up with great play (love the 7 assists), but Josh Hart made sure it stayed out well of reach with his play on both ends of the court. In addition to the hustle and D, he knows when to slow the pace or take it coast to coast (as he did a couple of times) and can hit clutch buckets.
Josh Hart is a tremendous help in holding leads and is going to be HUGE come playoff time.
Yes, they are playing the Celtics tonight, but you did not mention that Jaylen Brown is taking “personal time” off tonight, whatever that means, or at least he is according to a link contained in a story in the Trade Rumors app.
So we got that going for us.
It certainly looks like the 5th seed is there for the taking. Both the Nets and the Heat look like they are in complete free fall. At this point, if we don’t finish at least 5th, it’ll only be because after passing the Nets and the Heat, either the Hawks or the Raptors chased us down from behind.
We get the opportunity to put the Nets in the rear view mirror this week, and the way they looked for them against Chicago, I don’t see any way how they hold us off over the next 20 games. As for the Heat, as I mentioned here a few weeks ago when we played them they very much look like the horse who can’t make it to the wire. Spoelstra is going to the whip early, and they’re not responding. I know Kevin Love had a good game against us earlier this season, but they aren’t getting the Kevin Love of 15 years ago, not even of 5 years ago, and with Lowry with a bad knee that’s not responding, they are in huge trouble. The Nets may find their bearings, but the Heat, with 3 games against us, 3 games against Philly, and 2 each against Cleveland and Atlanta, with the Grizzlies, Mavs and Raptors sprinkled in, it could get really bad, like the bottom falling out bad, like not even making the play in.
You want to REALLY be a greedy disgusting slob?
The 4th seed, and home court in the first round is very much in play.
It’s not as unreachable as you may think. Sure we are 3 games back of Cleveland with only 20 to play, and Cleveland isn’t Miami or Brooklyn, they are playing well. With 10 to play 3 games are huge, but with 20, you could admittedly call 3 games a healthy cushion.
However, we still have 1 more game against Cleveland, on the road, at the end of March. Well, if we take just that game alone that not only puts us 2 games back, but it also gives us the tiebreaker against them. Their schedule is a bit on the softer side, but you never know.
The way I look at it is we’d have to first at the very least win 4 out of these next 5, which means splitting two against Boston, and beating the Nets, Heat, and Hornets. Then we have to win 3 out of 4 on a tough west coast swing. If we can do all of that, and it’s a heavy lift but not impossible, this is the time of year where the wheat separates from the chaff, then we will have earned the right at the end of the month to go into Cleveland for what then will be a playoff level intensity game with home court on the line.
The goal should be to always set the bar higher, whenever you can. Other teams can coast if they want to, we will coast in August, that will be when we take it easy. Even if we don’t beat Cleveland in Cleveland, and we might not, just being able to put the pressure on them and create the circumstance where it is a playoff level intensity type of game, just experiencing that is so hugely beneficial come playoff time that it is worth it to go to the whip to try to chase Cleveland down.
Some of you guys should try being greedy. It’s contagious, you might even like it.
“Greed is good.”
It’s a whole lot better than opening the window, and getting out on the ledge, and hoping you get Wenbanyama.
This team is so fun to watch. What is unique and frankly astounding about this group is how disjointed and poorly assembled they seemed to be at the season onset compared with the fluidity and natural complimentary elements that have surfaced now. We were all content to say that the FO assembled the best pieces they could at the time without thinking about how they’d coexist or mesh together on the floor. Now every time some one checks into the game, we’re excited to know and witness their specific talent/attribute applied to the moment. Pretty awesome and I believe the credit for this really goes to Thibs. I’ve been a long standing Thibs defender and admittedly had moments of weakness when things looked dire and would allow myself to succumb to Knicks Twitter living with the possibility he could be fired at the end of the year. He has since shown us all that team’s require time to find their identities, find a flow and really trust each other on offense and especially defense. Nicely done you old goat!
When you wrote about Randle beasting after the too small comment it reminded me of when Clyde was slapped by Phil Chenier during a game against the Bullets. It was on ABC so I could watch even though I was at college in Ohio.
Clyde just looked at him. Didn't take a swing back. But scored 8 of the next 9 baskets with Chenier guarding him. I found this classic Clyde quote while looking to see if there was anything on the net about that game (there was). This is part of a dialogue on some forum between a couple of fans reminiscing about the incident,
You know your NBA history. The only two things I will add to the Clyde-Chenier incident, was I called Clyde while he was a guest on the Art Russ Jr. radio show, years after the game. I asked Clyde if anyone on the Knick bench said anything to him once the timeout was called. I thought Reed, Lucas or Debusschere might be saving a nasty pick for Chenier. Clyde said "No" and I mentioned how how Clyde scored 8 out of the 9 next baskets and Clyde in his emminently cool way said " Those points were coming anyway, because the game was on the line". Vintage Clyde.
Secondly, Earl Monroe said on the MSG Vault Knicks 1973 show, after that Chenier incident " Clyde tore Chenier apart". Earl was right. Clyde never lifted a hand towards Chenier, he simply destroyed him in the last remaining minutes of the game.
Pearl
I'm a big fan of the "7 Samurai" story in basically any iteration I can get it. This team has me feeling like I'm watching the montage of 7 finally figuring out their strengths and kicking ass while riding out on horses. So fucking dope to be a Knicks fan right now.
Well done again Jon! Randle's transformation has been a joy to watch. I was a proponent of trading him now when his value is high, but I was wrong. I now want to see how far this group can go as is. if my memory serves me, his transformation did not start at the start of this season. Didn't he kinda start this season like he finished last year. Was there a point this season that we can look at as the time it changed? Any any guess why? maybe familiarity with brunson?
Love the Cocaine Bear reference
As an old guard Knick fan, the 73 tribute, your writing, and several comments bring back a warm feeling.The Knicks were Kings of New York and their spirit captured the City. Unlike the Celtics and Lakers, who both destroyed opponents, the Knick games often were closer and often dramatic. There were stars, but, because they played as a team, on any given night, anybody could be a hero.
According to reports, Thibs Dad was a Knick fan, and Thibs---living in Central Connecticut [New Britain?]---grew up as a fan. From his Dad, he must have heard all about those glory years and that beautiful, thinking way of playing basketball. If you make the correct reads and adhere to your responsibilities, you will make the right play. And, if you give your all, nothing more can be asked of you.
I didn't know if his vision, his message would sway these modern players. Apparently, these 22/23 Knicks have not tuned Tom out. It appears as if they are mastering their lessons. Maybe, with this group of men, the Spring Knick fans have been longing for returns to the Garden.
A guy can dream...
Also, the post AS game version of RJ has me forgetting all about My desire for OG. It is as if, during the break, he went to the same school that Julius went to during the off season..