My insomnia has made me comment a lot more recently, so the trend continues. 3 things I absolutely love about the playoffs thus far that don’t have to do with the Knicks, but highlight why the Knicks are so damn great to root for:
1. Phoenix, with their all-in Superteam, just got swept. You know what isn’t cool, KD? Failing to reach the Conference Finals without a dynasty to back you up. Don’t you regret not coming to the Kniiiiiiiiiicks???
2. Milwaukee, after shameless standings manipulation (and unfortunate injury timing), are down 3-1 to the Pacers. All else equal, the probably would have lost to the 76ers too, but still: objectively funny that they intentionally lost so they could win, just to lose.
3. Best in the NBA Boston has had to work harder than anyone thought they would to take down our culture-twin Miami Heat, dropping a game to a team without their best player. I don’t know what is in the water down there in Miami, but it finally made its way up to the greatest city in the world.
Knicks-76ers may be the main course of the first round thus far, but damn are these side-dishes absolutely delicious.
And as long as Dallas gets bounced, it will be a perfect ending. When Kyrie and KD ridiculed us, and I mean ridculed us, they never suspected that they would have to eat their own words. Karma, baby!
Jon, honestly bro, I am going to miss Embid once we dismiss him, well, not only because he immesnely talented and is the Creed to our Rocky (I absolutely loved the analogy, and you like the Knicks, have saved your best for when it matters most), but because he inspries your words. Dirtier than an issue of Hustler, but not quite as entertaing? Priceless. Your articles hve edcuated me, made me cry, and today, a belly laugh. You're a triple threat :)
I’ve been a Knick fan for 51 years — my first was 1973, the year of the second title in four years. I was a boy and thought, wow, I love this, every couple of years, my team wins the title. And yet, over the next few years as one of my heroes retired after the other, we became, for the first time, but not last the “lol Knicks.” (I recognize LOL did not exist then.). We had a brief shinning moment that was Bernard King, but after single-handily nearly beating the ultimate champs, the Celtics, he blew out his knee and his career was never the same.
Then came Pat Ewing, Pat Riley and the 1990s Knicks. I loved those teams. “You come at the King, you best not miss,” was basically their theme.
We came close a few times, reaching the championship round once, up 3-2 and heading back to Houston for two (losing) games. But John Starks happened. Didn’t matter, I love Stark’s even today for his grit, his energy and his heart.
After Patrick retired, we went into the dark ages low-lighted by the Dolan and Isiah comedy hour. The team had its moments. Jason Kidd, the 110 year old PG and Melo lead the team to the second round a decade ago. But it was clear it would be quick run as too many players who near and above 40.
During this time, from when Charlie Ward retired in 1993 up until last season there were many pretenders to The Iron Throne (NYC was, is and will always be a PG city) to count. Last season, I started to joke about the “The Prince that was Promised.” I don’t want to jinx anything, so no pronouncements. But, has the prince actually arrived?
There is not a single team in the league that can match the Knicks intensity, drive, and tenacity. In very tight series between 2 elite teams, the little things is what wins you the game. The Knicks are the masters of doing the little things.
I said this right before Game 1 and I’m going to say it again: there is a massive element of reverse psychology involved in this series. OG and Precious have played Embiid in the playoffs before under Nurse, and boy did that experience come through. For OG to say “I want that match up” (Embiid) and then take and dominate it… absolutely insane. He was relentless, and I had no idea that he had the ability to morph into Hart and play with that level of aggression and controlled chaos. Just an incredible player, worth every penny. And his ability to do these things was directly tied to Thibs. I was curious which coach would blink and make the first big adjustment, and it was Thibs. His decision to put Hart on Maxey and let OG roam was a great one. It allowed OG to not only help on Embiid and muck everything up in the paint, but to crash the glass like a madman. Shout out to Thibs!
no quit, all grit, close knit. you better believe it. this team has all the heart you could ever want. impossible not to love. my wife was a casual fan for the last couple of decades, basically just putting up with my nonsense, but these 23-24 knicks have converted her. she just bought her own brunson shirt. hell, she even subscribes to the ‘stack now and reads every column. there is just something about this fucking team. hat tip to the entire KFS crew for the very best coverage of this inspiring season so far. LFGK
My biggest takeaway from the Knicks playoffs run so far is how absolutely built for it Deuce McBride is. He may be Leon’s greatest accomplishment (non Brunson division)
Great read as always. I watched this game as if it were a suspense thriller, I couldn’t look but at the same time I couldn’t look away. Embid is a dirty player. He has been getting away with dirty shots the entire series. Incidental and accidental contact is one thing , but the crap he has been doing is dirty. With that said, I love that Knicks haven’t been whining and complaining but instead digging deeper trying to overcome the fact that not only are they playing against the Sixers but also against the worst officiating we’ve seen. New York or nowhere baby, standing tall like the Empire State Building and as strong and proud as Lady Liberty!
Shout out to the Knicks fans that travelled to Philly. Embiid should be disappointed in Sixers fans for letting their arena get taken over.
After the Knicks game yesterday, I went to see the Rangers finish off their sweep of the Capitals in DC. Like Knicks fans in Philly there were similarly a lot of fellow Rangers fans in the building. But every time we tried to start pro-Rangers chants, it quickly got drowned out by boos or competing chants from Caps fans. I saw a few fans trying to start some sidetalk-style celebrations afterwards, and it quickly got shouted down with chants of “30 Years!” which was especially rude because it makes me feel old, personally.
But given DC has a reputation for not having the most passionate fan bases, especially in relation to Philly, Caps fans showed up a hell of a lot better with their team looking overmatched down 3-0 than Sixers fans did with their team riding a high after Game 3 and a chance to tie the series. Simply embarrassing.
Anyone else find it strange that the Sixers deliberately missed that 2nd free throw of Lowry? If he made it, would’ve only been a 2 point game with 7 seconds left with a timeout to use. They panicked big time.
He did. Before the first free throw he turned his head left and backward and mouthed the words "make one miss one." Which or how many Sixers saw it I don't know but re-watch it and you'll see that.
This is the big, bad 7th seed that everyone was afraid of??
Milwaukee, Cleveland, Orlando: All three squads that were in better position than NY to grab the 2nd seed, ducked Philly. But not us. Not these Knicks.
Game 3 was infuriating because of Embiid and his petulant foolery, but beyond that I felt like it was Philly's best punch. Yesterday was proof that their arms are to short to box with the New York Knicks.
My insomnia has made me comment a lot more recently, so the trend continues. 3 things I absolutely love about the playoffs thus far that don’t have to do with the Knicks, but highlight why the Knicks are so damn great to root for:
1. Phoenix, with their all-in Superteam, just got swept. You know what isn’t cool, KD? Failing to reach the Conference Finals without a dynasty to back you up. Don’t you regret not coming to the Kniiiiiiiiiicks???
2. Milwaukee, after shameless standings manipulation (and unfortunate injury timing), are down 3-1 to the Pacers. All else equal, the probably would have lost to the 76ers too, but still: objectively funny that they intentionally lost so they could win, just to lose.
3. Best in the NBA Boston has had to work harder than anyone thought they would to take down our culture-twin Miami Heat, dropping a game to a team without their best player. I don’t know what is in the water down there in Miami, but it finally made its way up to the greatest city in the world.
Knicks-76ers may be the main course of the first round thus far, but damn are these side-dishes absolutely delicious.
And as long as Dallas gets bounced, it will be a perfect ending. When Kyrie and KD ridiculed us, and I mean ridculed us, they never suspected that they would have to eat their own words. Karma, baby!
Jon, honestly bro, I am going to miss Embid once we dismiss him, well, not only because he immesnely talented and is the Creed to our Rocky (I absolutely loved the analogy, and you like the Knicks, have saved your best for when it matters most), but because he inspries your words. Dirtier than an issue of Hustler, but not quite as entertaing? Priceless. Your articles hve edcuated me, made me cry, and today, a belly laugh. You're a triple threat :)
BRAVO COMMENT!!!!
Thank you sir!
I’ve been a Knick fan for 51 years — my first was 1973, the year of the second title in four years. I was a boy and thought, wow, I love this, every couple of years, my team wins the title. And yet, over the next few years as one of my heroes retired after the other, we became, for the first time, but not last the “lol Knicks.” (I recognize LOL did not exist then.). We had a brief shinning moment that was Bernard King, but after single-handily nearly beating the ultimate champs, the Celtics, he blew out his knee and his career was never the same.
Then came Pat Ewing, Pat Riley and the 1990s Knicks. I loved those teams. “You come at the King, you best not miss,” was basically their theme.
We came close a few times, reaching the championship round once, up 3-2 and heading back to Houston for two (losing) games. But John Starks happened. Didn’t matter, I love Stark’s even today for his grit, his energy and his heart.
After Patrick retired, we went into the dark ages low-lighted by the Dolan and Isiah comedy hour. The team had its moments. Jason Kidd, the 110 year old PG and Melo lead the team to the second round a decade ago. But it was clear it would be quick run as too many players who near and above 40.
During this time, from when Charlie Ward retired in 1993 up until last season there were many pretenders to The Iron Throne (NYC was, is and will always be a PG city) to count. Last season, I started to joke about the “The Prince that was Promised.” I don’t want to jinx anything, so no pronouncements. But, has the prince actually arrived?
3am from Aus for it. Best game ever. Jalen Brunson, man! 🧡💙
There is not a single team in the league that can match the Knicks intensity, drive, and tenacity. In very tight series between 2 elite teams, the little things is what wins you the game. The Knicks are the masters of doing the little things.
I said this right before Game 1 and I’m going to say it again: there is a massive element of reverse psychology involved in this series. OG and Precious have played Embiid in the playoffs before under Nurse, and boy did that experience come through. For OG to say “I want that match up” (Embiid) and then take and dominate it… absolutely insane. He was relentless, and I had no idea that he had the ability to morph into Hart and play with that level of aggression and controlled chaos. Just an incredible player, worth every penny. And his ability to do these things was directly tied to Thibs. I was curious which coach would blink and make the first big adjustment, and it was Thibs. His decision to put Hart on Maxey and let OG roam was a great one. It allowed OG to not only help on Embiid and muck everything up in the paint, but to crash the glass like a madman. Shout out to Thibs!
Now let’s close it out on Tuesday!!
METAL. BAT. SZN.
no quit, all grit, close knit. you better believe it. this team has all the heart you could ever want. impossible not to love. my wife was a casual fan for the last couple of decades, basically just putting up with my nonsense, but these 23-24 knicks have converted her. she just bought her own brunson shirt. hell, she even subscribes to the ‘stack now and reads every column. there is just something about this fucking team. hat tip to the entire KFS crew for the very best coverage of this inspiring season so far. LFGK
My biggest takeaway from the Knicks playoffs run so far is how absolutely built for it Deuce McBride is. He may be Leon’s greatest accomplishment (non Brunson division)
Put that game on Thomas Thibodeau’s tombstone
Great read as always. I watched this game as if it were a suspense thriller, I couldn’t look but at the same time I couldn’t look away. Embid is a dirty player. He has been getting away with dirty shots the entire series. Incidental and accidental contact is one thing , but the crap he has been doing is dirty. With that said, I love that Knicks haven’t been whining and complaining but instead digging deeper trying to overcome the fact that not only are they playing against the Sixers but also against the worst officiating we’ve seen. New York or nowhere baby, standing tall like the Empire State Building and as strong and proud as Lady Liberty!
Shout out to the Knicks fans that travelled to Philly. Embiid should be disappointed in Sixers fans for letting their arena get taken over.
After the Knicks game yesterday, I went to see the Rangers finish off their sweep of the Capitals in DC. Like Knicks fans in Philly there were similarly a lot of fellow Rangers fans in the building. But every time we tried to start pro-Rangers chants, it quickly got drowned out by boos or competing chants from Caps fans. I saw a few fans trying to start some sidetalk-style celebrations afterwards, and it quickly got shouted down with chants of “30 Years!” which was especially rude because it makes me feel old, personally.
But given DC has a reputation for not having the most passionate fan bases, especially in relation to Philly, Caps fans showed up a hell of a lot better with their team looking overmatched down 3-0 than Sixers fans did with their team riding a high after Game 3 and a chance to tie the series. Simply embarrassing.
Anyone else find it strange that the Sixers deliberately missed that 2nd free throw of Lowry? If he made it, would’ve only been a 2 point game with 7 seconds left with a timeout to use. They panicked big time.
What a shame 😂
And apparently the 'master floor general' didn't inform any of his teammates that he was going to purposely miss!
He did. Before the first free throw he turned his head left and backward and mouthed the words "make one miss one." Which or how many Sixers saw it I don't know but re-watch it and you'll see that.
Funny how these well-rested teams are gassed at the end of games, and the run-into-the-ground Knicks just keep rolling along.
I laughed out loud at Jon's 'imagine a Knick blaming the fans' comment on the podcast yesterday.
Great article. This will be known as the Brunson game which is much better than the Charles Smith game
This is the big, bad 7th seed that everyone was afraid of??
Milwaukee, Cleveland, Orlando: All three squads that were in better position than NY to grab the 2nd seed, ducked Philly. But not us. Not these Knicks.
Game 3 was infuriating because of Embiid and his petulant foolery, but beyond that I felt like it was Philly's best punch. Yesterday was proof that their arms are to short to box with the New York Knicks.
Let's close this out on Tuesday. LET'S GO KNICKS!
Embid even dirtier falling on JB's leg, for a 7' 300 lb tree he has weak roots. Cudo's to the well traveled Knick's fan's who" pissed off " Embid.
Don't forgot him with extra step on Hart leg as well
Great game. Great write up.
I'm not old enough to have seen it but, based on the stakes and the stats, isn't Clyde's 1970 game 7 a better offensive performance?