Damn man, you are a great writer plus you have your hand on the pulse of Knick Nation more than any writer, any broadcaster. The Knicks didn’t just win last night. They chased away the bad juju, the “lol Knicks,” the uncool franchise (thanks Durant!).
I’m one of those who became a Knick fan as a tiny boy because Willis willed the team to its first-ever title. It was a time and place where Knick nation was the United States. We won another title three years later and again the Knicks were New York’s team.
Everyone reading this newsletter, the die-hards, the people who live and die with the rattling around of ping pong balls, the people who kept the faith., we kept the belief that someday, somehow, our beloved franchise would reach the holy land.
No one has to remind me that they didn’t win a title or they have two-fifths of the starting lineup out with injuries. As Jonathan said, today is the day of redemption. The King is dead, long live the King!
Apr 27, 2023·edited Apr 27, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri
I have also been looking forward to reading this one since I first signed up. I'm glad to be here for it.
Although I have only been here for two years, it feels like I've been here for all of it, because the Knicks are just like West Ham. Massive, unbelievably passionate fanbase, major city, unrealised potential, laughing stock, dysfunctional self-serving egotistical ownership, sleeping giant.
I did some bleary-eyed totting up of the play-by-play data in bed at 3:30am (can you please get back on the Discord!) and I think the Knicks were only losing for 20.67% of the five games in total. More than 75% of those minutes were in Game 2. That, in retrospect, sounds like a comprehensive "beatdown", as you guys say.
Apr 27, 2023·edited Apr 27, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri
Jon, I sent you an email about a month ago and IDK if you ever saw it, but in it I thanked you for everything you do! You are an integral part of so many ppls Knick fandom. I want to reiterate it here. I think I speak for everyone when saying thank you for the tireless work you put in for all of us! This season was magical for so many reasons and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this squad! What a time!
Beautiful article Jon. Actually, I honestly believe this is the the only way the newsletter could and should have been written. The emotions I felt you perfectly conveyed and I am not afraid to say while I read this I choked back tears. My twin brother and I were literally born into our Knick fandom - of course in 1972 when our maternal grandfather (who only had one child, a daughter, our mom) not only got to see the Knicks to win it all, he got two bambinos to pass the Knicks legacy onto. We suffered but also lived through Ewing, Starks, Oak, Mase, and, of course Riley. Those were amazing teams and amazing years. But, THIS TEAM, well there is something different. We all feel it, we all know it, and when you write about it, we share in that PRIDE. Thanks, brother
We are all sending you, Jonathan Macri and the entire KFS crew, waves and waves of L.O.V.E and all the flowers . . . for your epic devoted service to other Knick fans 💖💖💖🌹🌹🌹💙💙💙🌸🌸🌸🧡🧡🧡🌻🌻🌻💖💖💖
I fell asleep during the marathon post game, woke up at 5am, and saw you still talking... I was worried if you’d have time to get the newsletter out. Turns out YouTube just autoplayed me to the last postgame livestream. LOL
Loving the Knicks is a neverending thing. I was just a teen in the 70s. I didn't know it was not always going to be that good. But that team of skilled, smart, gritty players marked me for life. There have been a few teams. The Ewing experience. The brief joy of 2013. But, mostly it's been dark. I have been saddened by the Knicks. Embarrassed as a fan. Derided as a fool for rooting them on. And, yeah, there's been their drumpf supporter of an owner, too... None of it broke my love. This is just one small step for a NBA team hunting a title. And, a giant leap for Knick fandom. There are mountains yet to climb. However, this feels good. You have my deep and abiding appreciation. Thanks to you. KFS Crew. And, the nation of Sister and Brother fans. There's a real world of troubles out there, but this is a joy.
I don’t know how anyone can write so eloquently at that time of night (and yes Jon, you are a writer, a gifted writer). Frankly, I would have more than forgiven you if there was no article waiting for me this morning.
That said, remember how discouraged many of us were after game two? Seems like a month ago.
Watching some of the Bucks/Heat game last night after watching the Knicks/CAV series, I was like “How come no one is playing defense?” The difference was stark. Hopefully that defensive ferocity follows us to the next series.
Last night's game, last night's post-game livestream, all of it felt like a celebration. Reading this newsletter touched every fiber of my Knicks soul.
Those last few words, "We are just getting started." Damn right we are!
I heard Andrew say something similar early in the post game live stream, but the point about being relieved not to have to be embarrassed by this team is so salient to me. I don't know if it's a NY-specific pathos, just the result of so many bad years, or a combination thereof, getting a few days of people saying good things about the Knicks is almost as much of a reward as the win itself. My team? That's the team with New York written across their chests and no you can't have them.
Incredible stuff as always Jon. I also want to put something out there - to you, and all the people reading.
Cherish THIS. Soak THIS in. THIS is as good as it gets.
I don't mean that in a way that suggests the Knicks can't do more this year. Or that winning a title (imagine that?) wouldn't feel better in the moment. No I mean THIS exact feeling - call it Earned Optimism, where everything is on the table because of everything that came before. This is not a fluke moment. This is a slow build back to relevance. This is having ups and downs but moving forward. This is about winning a series and looking ahead to what could come next. This is a license to dream. Even if we don't advance any further, we now know as fans that we have a real team. And when you have a real team then you have real possibilities - you can start to dream. And as most would agree, dreams are usually better than reality.
Damn man, you are a great writer plus you have your hand on the pulse of Knick Nation more than any writer, any broadcaster. The Knicks didn’t just win last night. They chased away the bad juju, the “lol Knicks,” the uncool franchise (thanks Durant!).
I’m one of those who became a Knick fan as a tiny boy because Willis willed the team to its first-ever title. It was a time and place where Knick nation was the United States. We won another title three years later and again the Knicks were New York’s team.
Everyone reading this newsletter, the die-hards, the people who live and die with the rattling around of ping pong balls, the people who kept the faith., we kept the belief that someday, somehow, our beloved franchise would reach the holy land.
No one has to remind me that they didn’t win a title or they have two-fifths of the starting lineup out with injuries. As Jonathan said, today is the day of redemption. The King is dead, long live the King!
Fans get the Knicks. KFS readers get Jon. We get the best deal
Just magical stuff. Underrated moment from last night that I can’t stop thinking about:
-Obi doing a windmill in transition in the third quarter of a closeout game. What a lunatic.
I have also been looking forward to reading this one since I first signed up. I'm glad to be here for it.
Although I have only been here for two years, it feels like I've been here for all of it, because the Knicks are just like West Ham. Massive, unbelievably passionate fanbase, major city, unrealised potential, laughing stock, dysfunctional self-serving egotistical ownership, sleeping giant.
I did some bleary-eyed totting up of the play-by-play data in bed at 3:30am (can you please get back on the Discord!) and I think the Knicks were only losing for 20.67% of the five games in total. More than 75% of those minutes were in Game 2. That, in retrospect, sounds like a comprehensive "beatdown", as you guys say.
Feeling confident about the Miami Heat. LFGK.
Jon, I sent you an email about a month ago and IDK if you ever saw it, but in it I thanked you for everything you do! You are an integral part of so many ppls Knick fandom. I want to reiterate it here. I think I speak for everyone when saying thank you for the tireless work you put in for all of us! This season was magical for so many reasons and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this squad! What a time!
Beautiful article Jon. Actually, I honestly believe this is the the only way the newsletter could and should have been written. The emotions I felt you perfectly conveyed and I am not afraid to say while I read this I choked back tears. My twin brother and I were literally born into our Knick fandom - of course in 1972 when our maternal grandfather (who only had one child, a daughter, our mom) not only got to see the Knicks to win it all, he got two bambinos to pass the Knicks legacy onto. We suffered but also lived through Ewing, Starks, Oak, Mase, and, of course Riley. Those were amazing teams and amazing years. But, THIS TEAM, well there is something different. We all feel it, we all know it, and when you write about it, we share in that PRIDE. Thanks, brother
We are all sending you, Jonathan Macri and the entire KFS crew, waves and waves of L.O.V.E and all the flowers . . . for your epic devoted service to other Knick fans 💖💖💖🌹🌹🌹💙💙💙🌸🌸🌸🧡🧡🧡🌻🌻🌻💖💖💖
I fell asleep during the marathon post game, woke up at 5am, and saw you still talking... I was worried if you’d have time to get the newsletter out. Turns out YouTube just autoplayed me to the last postgame livestream. LOL
7pm Tasmania. Legendary work, Jon.
GO NY GO NY GO
Jon - go get some sleep 😀. You deserve it!
Loving the Knicks is a neverending thing. I was just a teen in the 70s. I didn't know it was not always going to be that good. But that team of skilled, smart, gritty players marked me for life. There have been a few teams. The Ewing experience. The brief joy of 2013. But, mostly it's been dark. I have been saddened by the Knicks. Embarrassed as a fan. Derided as a fool for rooting them on. And, yeah, there's been their drumpf supporter of an owner, too... None of it broke my love. This is just one small step for a NBA team hunting a title. And, a giant leap for Knick fandom. There are mountains yet to climb. However, this feels good. You have my deep and abiding appreciation. Thanks to you. KFS Crew. And, the nation of Sister and Brother fans. There's a real world of troubles out there, but this is a joy.
I don’t know how anyone can write so eloquently at that time of night (and yes Jon, you are a writer, a gifted writer). Frankly, I would have more than forgiven you if there was no article waiting for me this morning.
That said, remember how discouraged many of us were after game two? Seems like a month ago.
Watching some of the Bucks/Heat game last night after watching the Knicks/CAV series, I was like “How come no one is playing defense?” The difference was stark. Hopefully that defensive ferocity follows us to the next series.
Last night's game, last night's post-game livestream, all of it felt like a celebration. Reading this newsletter touched every fiber of my Knicks soul.
Those last few words, "We are just getting started." Damn right we are!
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO.
🥲
I heard Andrew say something similar early in the post game live stream, but the point about being relieved not to have to be embarrassed by this team is so salient to me. I don't know if it's a NY-specific pathos, just the result of so many bad years, or a combination thereof, getting a few days of people saying good things about the Knicks is almost as much of a reward as the win itself. My team? That's the team with New York written across their chests and no you can't have them.
Boy, doesn’t this feel so much better than opening the window and going out on the ledge every time any little thing goes wrong?
Just sayin’.
Incredible stuff as always Jon. I also want to put something out there - to you, and all the people reading.
Cherish THIS. Soak THIS in. THIS is as good as it gets.
I don't mean that in a way that suggests the Knicks can't do more this year. Or that winning a title (imagine that?) wouldn't feel better in the moment. No I mean THIS exact feeling - call it Earned Optimism, where everything is on the table because of everything that came before. This is not a fluke moment. This is a slow build back to relevance. This is having ups and downs but moving forward. This is about winning a series and looking ahead to what could come next. This is a license to dream. Even if we don't advance any further, we now know as fans that we have a real team. And when you have a real team then you have real possibilities - you can start to dream. And as most would agree, dreams are usually better than reality.
Cherish THIS.