I have been a Knicks fan since around ‘87, growing up watching Knick game with my dad and brother. I have fond (and not so fond) memories of my 90’s Knicks, who were absolute warriors.
This 2023-2024 team was special. The work never stops for them. They are defiant in the face of adversity. This had been a team with no identity or culture for years. It is now a team with the whole city behind it that. A team that destroyed any narrative about this organization being a laughing stock (some “media” trolls will still try to hold onto this narrative… buffoons). They captured the heart of this city and fan base starving for NY Knick glory. And they did it with grit, a great coach that people love to criticize, and a superstar that some “experts” still can’t admit how awesome he is. The East was close all year, and our team continued to fight through adversity to get that 2nd seed.
I wake up this morning so proud of my squad, sad that it’s over and pissed that it was Hali and the Pacers that beat us (Hali is so corny and annoying).
Most of all, I am confident for the first time in a long time that this team has a bright future ahead. This is no fluke. This can be sustainable success. I can’t wait for the next part of the story to be written. And the 2023-2024 chapter will never be forgotten.
Jon, you absolutely encapsulated what it means to be a Knicks fan. I've never been more proud of one of my teams in my life. As an international fan, you have to always keep listening people tell you that you are not a real fan because you are not from New York but I think it doesn't matter where you are from if you way of life resonates so much with the team thay you support. Some people think that glory is deserved to them just because who they are (Lakers and Celtics), others just follow what statistically give them more opportunities to win (GSW), but I think Knicks fans are different to all of these groups. As you say, we get up, we fight for our place in the world, we work hard and at the end of the day, if you are content with your work, that's all that it's. Control what you can control. And that's what this team has done all the year. I'm afraid I disagree with Jalen's words in the post game, I cannot ask for more from this team. Thank for giving me so many amazing nights this year. And this is just the beginning. Thanks to you Jon and all of this community!
Thanks for an incredible season of coverage. You and your team make something special even more special. You kept me company on literally hundreds of walks, long drives and early mornings. I cannot wait until next season.
There was a certain comedy when I saw the Shams tweet about Brunson’s fractured hand. Combined by a literal record-setting opponent shooting percentage. It almost made it seem like a supernatural force was winking at us saying “what do I have to do to tell you that this is NOT the year”.
This is it, though. Wally actually said something pretty real on the post game. He said something to the effect of “this was obviously not meant to be. Retool this summer, come back, and go contend for a championship”. That’s the expectation - and it’s something I don’t think I’ve ever said before about a Knicks team.
Jon, this column alone is worth the price of subscription. Thank you for summing up what it means to be a fan in general, and this special team in particular. Thanks to the KFS crew and this community for an unbelievable season. And to that community, don’t listen or pay attention to the naysayers on social media - we know better.
There’s a great Irish sports podcast called Second Captains and they had this guy on last week called Brian Murphy, a radio host from San Francisco (KNBR - I looked it up), who was explaining to the very casual basketball-knowing Irish and British audience about the Knicks’ season ahead of last night. He was describing Thibs - to an audience where 98% won’t have heard of him - as a delightfully gruff old school coach who has found himself in an era where young players and superstars are wary of going to play for him because he doesn’t play along to the current NBA norms of allowing these guys to pad their stats/playing to get on highlight reels, but instead prefers “kicking their ass and making them play defence”. Loved it.
I haven’t been tracking it but it feels like everyone in the rotation, perhaps barring Burks and Sims, has had three star games and at least one “the [player] game”. Perhaps you could recap these for each player over the summer?
Thanks for the cathartic sum-up of the Knicks Fan experience this year. This team was both escape and inspiration. Yesterday was a tough conclusion - but I agree with you that it takes absolutely nothing away from who this team is and what this season has been. And perhaps that’s also where the magic is - that nothing changes how we all feel or diminishes our hope of what’s ahead.
Not so long ago, when May came around the only thing we could look forward to was the Draft Lottery. Before then, we couldn't even look forward to the Draft Lottery due to the chicanery of Knicks Front Office Past.
Those days are over.
I'm proud of what this team was able to overcome, and I'm certain the best is yet to come. We gon' be alright. Let's go Knicks.
Our concepts of what makes a hero, change depending on situation and context. In a world where "superheroes" are characters we watch in films with superpowers, who constantly save the day, where do we quantify the difference in our day to day lives.
Obviously, Firefighters, the types who ran into a burning WTC to save as many as they could, those people are our real life superheroes. Is it misuse, to use the word hero for anything of a lower caliber?
I don't think so.
In our day to day minutiae, what constitutes a hero?
Imo, it doesn't have to begin and end with diving into a burning building.
Heroes are the teachers who leave impact on us by investing in us and not giving up on us.
The Rabbi who always shows us grace when we try and fail, who refuses to let us give up.
They are the friends who don't let us settle for second best,and encourage us to push ourselves to be the best version of ourselves we can be.
They are the music makers and artists who show us the wonders in the mundane, and help us see the beauty that exists in the world.
They come in forms of a basketball team, that despite injuries, an entire media landscape that's against them,and almost impossible odds,never give up until the final second. Who play the right way, who play with honor. Who have scruples, and encourage us to carry ourselves in the sane way.
For me,my hero, he's a teacher in Brooklyn. He doesn't give himself credit for the amazing talented writer he has become. He shows grace to all,but has no time for suffering fools. He's beyond fair,and is so gracious, he gives the time of day to anyone who comes to him in good faith. He loves his family, and puts them above everything. He is a dedicated friend, and leaves a positive impression on most of the people he meets.
He's a builder of community, and has become for me, one of the people I look up to motvin my very small world. So thankful for him, and what he does.
So, Heroes.
They're everywhere, if you look.
They enrich our short lives,often just by being themselves. Shining beacons of hope in a seemingly bleak and dark world.
As this season comes to an end, let's not forget our heroes. Our working class heroes, and our larger than life heroes. Some are point guards on basketball teams. Some write a daily newsletter. But they give us joy, and more importantly give us hope. Let's not wait until they are gone to appreciate them and give them their flowers now, despite the fact it might make them uncomfortable. The fact that are humble, is part 9f the reason they are our heroes.
Mazel Tov and thank you to the 23/24 Knicks.
Mazel Tov and thank you to Jon Macri.
Heroes, of all shapes and sizes and we are damn lucky to have you.
This season was truly incredible. The way that this Knicks team connected with the city and fans was special. I've never felt this way about a team and they will have a special place in my heart forever. This was truly a season for the ages! On a personal note, I am glad I got to enjoy it with all of you! This community truly rocks and I love being a part of it! And Jon, you already know how I (and everyone else) feel about you and your work. You truly deserve all of the love and appreciation!
Thank you Jon as always for finding the most beautiful words to capture how we all feel. Today hurts, it hurts because as you said we'll never know what this team could have accomplished without the injuries, but it's also a beautiful day because we experienced the best that sports has to offer, and we did it together. Let the "commentators" start with their inane commentary on how Thibs runs players into the ground, on how Jalen isn't actually a Top 5 player, none of it matters, we know what's up, and we know New York is back. Now let our superstars rest up, let our front office and coach plan our vengeance and let's bask in the knowledge that nobody will want to face this New York Knicks team next season.
When I was a boy and the Knicks won the title in 1973, I could not imagine it would take 21 years to get back to the finals. When Patrick’s finger-roll juuuusssst rolled off the rim, I could not imagine that we blew a real chance at the title. Every year that Patrick was on the Knicks, we said, we just need one more star to play with Pat and we’d win a title. The Knicks never acquired one.
My point? You just don’t know. We don’t know what happens next season other than there will be surprises. What I do know is that we need to be prepared to see a young player that we love (like Deuce, Donte, Robinson) traded for a vet (s). As I see it, there are two untouchables on this team — Brunson and Hart.
I have a feeling the Knicks are pushing all their chips into the middle of the table. I can see them keeping Brunson, Hart, OG (can’t give up two high quality players for a rental) and they will fight to retain iHart. They will use all their assets, the three picks this year (two late firsts and an early second); future picks; our high-quality young player (s?) to acquire another star who compliments Brunson. I don’t know who that is, and in the NBA you never know what superstar decides he wants out? Giannis? Durant? Booker? Anthony Davis? All of those guys fit our current squad.
Guys like Mitchell and Trae might be available but they don’t fit.
Buckle up. It’s going to be a very busy off-season. The Knicks can’t waste one year of Jalen’s prime.
I have been a Knicks fan since around ‘87, growing up watching Knick game with my dad and brother. I have fond (and not so fond) memories of my 90’s Knicks, who were absolute warriors.
This 2023-2024 team was special. The work never stops for them. They are defiant in the face of adversity. This had been a team with no identity or culture for years. It is now a team with the whole city behind it that. A team that destroyed any narrative about this organization being a laughing stock (some “media” trolls will still try to hold onto this narrative… buffoons). They captured the heart of this city and fan base starving for NY Knick glory. And they did it with grit, a great coach that people love to criticize, and a superstar that some “experts” still can’t admit how awesome he is. The East was close all year, and our team continued to fight through adversity to get that 2nd seed.
I wake up this morning so proud of my squad, sad that it’s over and pissed that it was Hali and the Pacers that beat us (Hali is so corny and annoying).
Most of all, I am confident for the first time in a long time that this team has a bright future ahead. This is no fluke. This can be sustainable success. I can’t wait for the next part of the story to be written. And the 2023-2024 chapter will never be forgotten.
Perfectly said
Jon, you absolutely encapsulated what it means to be a Knicks fan. I've never been more proud of one of my teams in my life. As an international fan, you have to always keep listening people tell you that you are not a real fan because you are not from New York but I think it doesn't matter where you are from if you way of life resonates so much with the team thay you support. Some people think that glory is deserved to them just because who they are (Lakers and Celtics), others just follow what statistically give them more opportunities to win (GSW), but I think Knicks fans are different to all of these groups. As you say, we get up, we fight for our place in the world, we work hard and at the end of the day, if you are content with your work, that's all that it's. Control what you can control. And that's what this team has done all the year. I'm afraid I disagree with Jalen's words in the post game, I cannot ask for more from this team. Thank for giving me so many amazing nights this year. And this is just the beginning. Thanks to you Jon and all of this community!
Every word of this is accurate
Thanks for an incredible season of coverage. You and your team make something special even more special. You kept me company on literally hundreds of walks, long drives and early mornings. I cannot wait until next season.
There was a certain comedy when I saw the Shams tweet about Brunson’s fractured hand. Combined by a literal record-setting opponent shooting percentage. It almost made it seem like a supernatural force was winking at us saying “what do I have to do to tell you that this is NOT the year”.
This is it, though. Wally actually said something pretty real on the post game. He said something to the effect of “this was obviously not meant to be. Retool this summer, come back, and go contend for a championship”. That’s the expectation - and it’s something I don’t think I’ve ever said before about a Knicks team.
Jon, this column alone is worth the price of subscription. Thank you for summing up what it means to be a fan in general, and this special team in particular. Thanks to the KFS crew and this community for an unbelievable season. And to that community, don’t listen or pay attention to the naysayers on social media - we know better.
There’s a great Irish sports podcast called Second Captains and they had this guy on last week called Brian Murphy, a radio host from San Francisco (KNBR - I looked it up), who was explaining to the very casual basketball-knowing Irish and British audience about the Knicks’ season ahead of last night. He was describing Thibs - to an audience where 98% won’t have heard of him - as a delightfully gruff old school coach who has found himself in an era where young players and superstars are wary of going to play for him because he doesn’t play along to the current NBA norms of allowing these guys to pad their stats/playing to get on highlight reels, but instead prefers “kicking their ass and making them play defence”. Loved it.
I haven’t been tracking it but it feels like everyone in the rotation, perhaps barring Burks and Sims, has had three star games and at least one “the [player] game”. Perhaps you could recap these for each player over the summer?
Thanks for the cathartic sum-up of the Knicks Fan experience this year. This team was both escape and inspiration. Yesterday was a tough conclusion - but I agree with you that it takes absolutely nothing away from who this team is and what this season has been. And perhaps that’s also where the magic is - that nothing changes how we all feel or diminishes our hope of what’s ahead.
Not so long ago, when May came around the only thing we could look forward to was the Draft Lottery. Before then, we couldn't even look forward to the Draft Lottery due to the chicanery of Knicks Front Office Past.
Those days are over.
I'm proud of what this team was able to overcome, and I'm certain the best is yet to come. We gon' be alright. Let's go Knicks.
Heroes.
Our concepts of what makes a hero, change depending on situation and context. In a world where "superheroes" are characters we watch in films with superpowers, who constantly save the day, where do we quantify the difference in our day to day lives.
Obviously, Firefighters, the types who ran into a burning WTC to save as many as they could, those people are our real life superheroes. Is it misuse, to use the word hero for anything of a lower caliber?
I don't think so.
In our day to day minutiae, what constitutes a hero?
Imo, it doesn't have to begin and end with diving into a burning building.
Heroes are the teachers who leave impact on us by investing in us and not giving up on us.
The Rabbi who always shows us grace when we try and fail, who refuses to let us give up.
They are the friends who don't let us settle for second best,and encourage us to push ourselves to be the best version of ourselves we can be.
They are the music makers and artists who show us the wonders in the mundane, and help us see the beauty that exists in the world.
They come in forms of a basketball team, that despite injuries, an entire media landscape that's against them,and almost impossible odds,never give up until the final second. Who play the right way, who play with honor. Who have scruples, and encourage us to carry ourselves in the sane way.
For me,my hero, he's a teacher in Brooklyn. He doesn't give himself credit for the amazing talented writer he has become. He shows grace to all,but has no time for suffering fools. He's beyond fair,and is so gracious, he gives the time of day to anyone who comes to him in good faith. He loves his family, and puts them above everything. He is a dedicated friend, and leaves a positive impression on most of the people he meets.
He's a builder of community, and has become for me, one of the people I look up to motvin my very small world. So thankful for him, and what he does.
So, Heroes.
They're everywhere, if you look.
They enrich our short lives,often just by being themselves. Shining beacons of hope in a seemingly bleak and dark world.
As this season comes to an end, let's not forget our heroes. Our working class heroes, and our larger than life heroes. Some are point guards on basketball teams. Some write a daily newsletter. But they give us joy, and more importantly give us hope. Let's not wait until they are gone to appreciate them and give them their flowers now, despite the fact it might make them uncomfortable. The fact that are humble, is part 9f the reason they are our heroes.
Mazel Tov and thank you to the 23/24 Knicks.
Mazel Tov and thank you to Jon Macri.
Heroes, of all shapes and sizes and we are damn lucky to have you.
Wow! Reading these comments I realize that yes, Jessica, we are a community.
Thank you for this morning’s sentiments.
And Jon is not the only fabulous writer we have in this community.
This season was truly incredible. The way that this Knicks team connected with the city and fans was special. I've never felt this way about a team and they will have a special place in my heart forever. This was truly a season for the ages! On a personal note, I am glad I got to enjoy it with all of you! This community truly rocks and I love being a part of it! And Jon, you already know how I (and everyone else) feel about you and your work. You truly deserve all of the love and appreciation!
Thank you Jon as always for finding the most beautiful words to capture how we all feel. Today hurts, it hurts because as you said we'll never know what this team could have accomplished without the injuries, but it's also a beautiful day because we experienced the best that sports has to offer, and we did it together. Let the "commentators" start with their inane commentary on how Thibs runs players into the ground, on how Jalen isn't actually a Top 5 player, none of it matters, we know what's up, and we know New York is back. Now let our superstars rest up, let our front office and coach plan our vengeance and let's bask in the knowledge that nobody will want to face this New York Knicks team next season.
It hurts, but a good hurt like DOMS a day after a good workout.
I heard you say on the post game pod last night, " . . . but I'm not a writer."
Bite your tongue!
Then do it again.
You are a writer.
...and a damn good one!!
Beautifully written, Jon.
What time is Thibs at the gym today?
Once again…you found the words!! Thank you!! 🥹
This is exactly the point I was going to make in the comments today, if it needed to be said. The magic is in the work, what a line.
When I was a boy and the Knicks won the title in 1973, I could not imagine it would take 21 years to get back to the finals. When Patrick’s finger-roll juuuusssst rolled off the rim, I could not imagine that we blew a real chance at the title. Every year that Patrick was on the Knicks, we said, we just need one more star to play with Pat and we’d win a title. The Knicks never acquired one.
My point? You just don’t know. We don’t know what happens next season other than there will be surprises. What I do know is that we need to be prepared to see a young player that we love (like Deuce, Donte, Robinson) traded for a vet (s). As I see it, there are two untouchables on this team — Brunson and Hart.
I have a feeling the Knicks are pushing all their chips into the middle of the table. I can see them keeping Brunson, Hart, OG (can’t give up two high quality players for a rental) and they will fight to retain iHart. They will use all their assets, the three picks this year (two late firsts and an early second); future picks; our high-quality young player (s?) to acquire another star who compliments Brunson. I don’t know who that is, and in the NBA you never know what superstar decides he wants out? Giannis? Durant? Booker? Anthony Davis? All of those guys fit our current squad.
Guys like Mitchell and Trae might be available but they don’t fit.
Buckle up. It’s going to be a very busy off-season. The Knicks can’t waste one year of Jalen’s prime.