Sports. It’s the best. Beautiful piece Macri on a night that indeed returned us all to childhood level affinity for a team and a dude…JB. I too was moved by the Alan Hahn moment, I think especially as a dad whose daughter is turning 5 on Sunday and getting amongst her gifts a Brunson shirt. This story is bigger than basketball. This is a kid that grew up around MSG with Latrell & Allan Houston and now is resurrecting a team with his dad, his godfather, his college buddies and the HC who prompted his family to drop notes saying “the magic is in the work” in his lunchbox. This magical family connection to NY, to the value of preparation, to pushing one’s self beyond what others think one’s ceiling is and ultimately to winning would be dismissed as too cheesy a script for a movie…but it is happening and we are lucky enough to soak it in each game. Finally! We’ve stuck with this team through some shells of rosters and guys that did not give a shit. We earned this too.
Wow, Jon! You were really waxing poetic today and it stirred up so many memories for me. My version of the missed Ewing finger roll was the 71 Knicks, the year after their championship. I had seriously started watching as a 13 year old the year they traded for
Debusschere. They won it all the following year and in the year after the championship they blew through the regular season, beat the H ML awks easily in the first play off round and lost at home in game 7 against the Monroe Bullets. Bill Bradley had a last second game tying attempt from the corner blocked. My still child like 15 year old self did not think it was remotely possible that the shot was not going to go in and lead to another Knicks championship. I had similar feelings of disbelief for the Ewing finger roll but I was 40 and it was not like the highs and lows of Young Ken.
Your piece by mentioning a defining Mike Breen sound bite also reminded me that for so many horrible years the defining Breen sound bite was “Bang! And just like that, the Knicks cut it to ten”. And Tankathon was more important than the standings.
So many years in the desert creating just the walls and jaded feelings you talked about. And this team just continues to smash right through them.
And one of the great things about it is that you have provided us with the perfect place to share it all.
Refs sucked from the start. Why no taunting tech on Halliburton, making Devo take control of the situation. That set the tone of out of control aggression by the Pacers resulting in our All-Star getting punched in the face. Making Jalen Brunson take control of the situation as only he can do.
My gut reaction on Brunson’s three point play on the possession after getting clocked in the face was that it was a soft call. And that if you feel the need to whistle a make-up call with less than two minutes left in the 4th quarter, you’ve lost control of the game.
I think he did get hit on the arm, but also I think the Knicks know there's a 'make-up call' waiting in the wings so JB should go into contact. That's some strategic thinking.
Agreed. It was definitely a foul. But in real time it didn’t seem like Brunson was really impeded. Maybe if the Knicks are up one or up 3 instead of down one, maybe the refs let them play. The NBA: where context determines with an objective right or wrong call is made. Great work, refs!
In the NBA no rules apply, it's starting to resemble Synchronized Swimming in some aspects. It's what happens when a sport devised for high school students, turns into a sport of uncoordinated giants.
Once OG is back, I think Precious should continue to start at PF and Hart should go back to the bench. Keeps the rotation resembling the version with Julius, makes it easier for OG to play Swiss Army knife and defend any player on the court, makes better use of Hart's energy off the bench, etc.
His versatility will be significant going forward. He can back up the 4 and 5. With him and OG backing up Randle, there’s less need to slide Hart into that spot. With Precious and Sims backing up IHart, we’re solid there even without Mitch. With IHart as the starting 5, the first unit looks great, not least because he helps relieve pressure and make plays when Brunson is doubled.
It’s becoming harder to imagine letting IHart go this summer, even if Precious was meant to serve as insurance against that possibility. Are Mitch’s days as a Knick numbered? We don’t need 4 centers in a normal year and can’t afford two at Mitch’s salary level. Who knew Precious would cause such a strange combination of delight and crowding? And so suddenly, after an inauspicious first few games?
I think we're always quick to say we can't afford someone or something, we should assume that they can make it work if they want. Maybe I'm naive but I fully expect Brunson, Randle & OG to take less than their maxes to give the team flexibility. Every minute Sims plays would be better served with Mitch who was a DPOY candidate when he got hurt.
I agree with your last sentence entirely. I don’t think any contender can afford to spend massively on the center position unless the starting center is a superstar.
To me Precious is more of PF even though he can play center. As long as they can afford them, I'd keep I-Hart, Mitch, and Precious. Sims would most likely be a causualty.
I haven't been this giddy after a regular season game since IQ was skipping all over Boston. I've been lucky enough to see my Yankees and Giants win multiple championships. I've waited so long to see the Knicks get to that level and become something special. It's happening. We have a superstar. It's such a surreal feeling. Fingers crossed Randle's rehab goes well and he comes back strong for the playoffs.
Making all this even better is getting to experience it with the KFS family. I'm the only one in my family who really watches basketball and none of my friends are Knick fans, so I truly appreciate having this outlet to channel my passion for the team with a bunch of people who are just as obsessed as I am. Jon, you and the KFS crew make following the team more fun than fun is fun
In a world with tragedies, losses, and suffering-----these Knicks aren't a distraction, they provide moments of joy (which are so desperately needed). When they're right, they are the beating heart of our Naked City and the rhythm of fans' lives across the region, the Nation, and the Globe. [This is something that Brooklyn fans will never understand and mystifies the national media.] Last night, with fans chanting "DEFENSE" I thought I heard the Garden of old. Thanks KFS Crew, Jonathan for all you do. I hope the Garden's caliente on Saturday night. Feverous. BEAT LA!
I love this team. Everything about it. I have never been this confident and optimistic about a Knick team in YEARS. I don’t even know what to say anymore. No words.
One more thing: I’m not sure why I took an early liking to Precious, but boy have I been proven correct. That 3 play sequence down the stretch where he blocked Siakam, got the tip-in off the DDV miss, and then stripped Siakam, is as good of a sequence as I’ve seen from a Knick big in a defensive setting in crunch time this season. And to do it in a moment of that magnitude after playing the entire 2nd half, makes it even crazier.
There’s nothing more to say about Brunson, but I’ll try. He knew the refs obviously botched the call where he got slapped in the face. Most importantly, he knew that the REFS knew they botched the call. He got the ball on the next play and immediately drove hard into the paint because he knew he was about to get a call. Then he finishes the play and puts it in. The guy is a superstar. There’s no defense for him. Even on a game where he couldn’t shoot.
Great article as alwasy Jon. So very much appreciated that you put into words what we all feel. I am working on 4.5 hours of sleep as I stayed up late and got up early just to find anything and everything online about this game. I texted my brother last night at the end of the game "This is something special. Better than the 90s Knicks. This team has a real chance to win it all." And then, after Jalen choked back teears when Hahn interviewed him (causing me to do the same), perhaps I got a bit carried away with "[Jalen] is our ride or die. He has as much heart as Starks and as much talent as Kobe. He will not be denied." But, as I reflect on it this morning, I am not sure anymore how far off I am. The footwork is reminiscent of another Knicks killer... Hakeem the Dream. And, like Kobe, he makes everyone around him better. Whether I am drinking too much kool-aid or not, I am going to enjoy this all day!
Brunson’s deep bag, impeccable footwork, and overall excellent technique to create angles for his shot-making, especially from the midrange and paint, is very Kobe-esqe. I have a sneaking suspicion that if you look up Kobe highlights from his post-Shaq career (when he relied less on pure athleticism) you’ll see him create in a manner similar to Brunson.
I have always been infatuated with small guards who find ways to become prolific at getting buckets. There is a certain amount of skill it takes to put these numbers up against the trees. All I got to say is this teams effort night in and night out is inspiring. This is what sports is all about and Macri your piece incapsulates the magic of it all. Let’s go Knicks!
Sports. It’s the best. Beautiful piece Macri on a night that indeed returned us all to childhood level affinity for a team and a dude…JB. I too was moved by the Alan Hahn moment, I think especially as a dad whose daughter is turning 5 on Sunday and getting amongst her gifts a Brunson shirt. This story is bigger than basketball. This is a kid that grew up around MSG with Latrell & Allan Houston and now is resurrecting a team with his dad, his godfather, his college buddies and the HC who prompted his family to drop notes saying “the magic is in the work” in his lunchbox. This magical family connection to NY, to the value of preparation, to pushing one’s self beyond what others think one’s ceiling is and ultimately to winning would be dismissed as too cheesy a script for a movie…but it is happening and we are lucky enough to soak it in each game. Finally! We’ve stuck with this team through some shells of rosters and guys that did not give a shit. We earned this too.
WHY NOT US
Why not???
Soon we will shorten this to simply #Us
Very little sleep and about to go to work. I’m still speechless as well. What a performance by our guys. 💪🏾
Wow, Jon! You were really waxing poetic today and it stirred up so many memories for me. My version of the missed Ewing finger roll was the 71 Knicks, the year after their championship. I had seriously started watching as a 13 year old the year they traded for
Debusschere. They won it all the following year and in the year after the championship they blew through the regular season, beat the H ML awks easily in the first play off round and lost at home in game 7 against the Monroe Bullets. Bill Bradley had a last second game tying attempt from the corner blocked. My still child like 15 year old self did not think it was remotely possible that the shot was not going to go in and lead to another Knicks championship. I had similar feelings of disbelief for the Ewing finger roll but I was 40 and it was not like the highs and lows of Young Ken.
Your piece by mentioning a defining Mike Breen sound bite also reminded me that for so many horrible years the defining Breen sound bite was “Bang! And just like that, the Knicks cut it to ten”. And Tankathon was more important than the standings.
So many years in the desert creating just the walls and jaded feelings you talked about. And this team just continues to smash right through them.
And one of the great things about it is that you have provided us with the perfect place to share it all.
Refs sucked from the start. Why no taunting tech on Halliburton, making Devo take control of the situation. That set the tone of out of control aggression by the Pacers resulting in our All-Star getting punched in the face. Making Jalen Brunson take control of the situation as only he can do.
My gut reaction on Brunson’s three point play on the possession after getting clocked in the face was that it was a soft call. And that if you feel the need to whistle a make-up call with less than two minutes left in the 4th quarter, you’ve lost control of the game.
I think he did get hit on the arm, but also I think the Knicks know there's a 'make-up call' waiting in the wings so JB should go into contact. That's some strategic thinking.
Agreed. It was definitely a foul. But in real time it didn’t seem like Brunson was really impeded. Maybe if the Knicks are up one or up 3 instead of down one, maybe the refs let them play. The NBA: where context determines with an objective right or wrong call is made. Great work, refs!
In the NBA no rules apply, it's starting to resemble Synchronized Swimming in some aspects. It's what happens when a sport devised for high school students, turns into a sport of uncoordinated giants.
I'm not crying, you're crying. This team in general and JB in particular - Heart of a Lion. LFGK!!
Precious as back up 4 is good stuff.
Once OG is back, I think Precious should continue to start at PF and Hart should go back to the bench. Keeps the rotation resembling the version with Julius, makes it easier for OG to play Swiss Army knife and defend any player on the court, makes better use of Hart's energy off the bench, etc.
I agree. At the very least I think Precious has earned his spot in the rotation.
His versatility will be significant going forward. He can back up the 4 and 5. With him and OG backing up Randle, there’s less need to slide Hart into that spot. With Precious and Sims backing up IHart, we’re solid there even without Mitch. With IHart as the starting 5, the first unit looks great, not least because he helps relieve pressure and make plays when Brunson is doubled.
It’s becoming harder to imagine letting IHart go this summer, even if Precious was meant to serve as insurance against that possibility. Are Mitch’s days as a Knick numbered? We don’t need 4 centers in a normal year and can’t afford two at Mitch’s salary level. Who knew Precious would cause such a strange combination of delight and crowding? And so suddenly, after an inauspicious first few games?
I think we're always quick to say we can't afford someone or something, we should assume that they can make it work if they want. Maybe I'm naive but I fully expect Brunson, Randle & OG to take less than their maxes to give the team flexibility. Every minute Sims plays would be better served with Mitch who was a DPOY candidate when he got hurt.
I agree with your last sentence entirely. I don’t think any contender can afford to spend massively on the center position unless the starting center is a superstar.
To me Precious is more of PF even though he can play center. As long as they can afford them, I'd keep I-Hart, Mitch, and Precious. Sims would most likely be a causualty.
I haven't been this giddy after a regular season game since IQ was skipping all over Boston. I've been lucky enough to see my Yankees and Giants win multiple championships. I've waited so long to see the Knicks get to that level and become something special. It's happening. We have a superstar. It's such a surreal feeling. Fingers crossed Randle's rehab goes well and he comes back strong for the playoffs.
Making all this even better is getting to experience it with the KFS family. I'm the only one in my family who really watches basketball and none of my friends are Knick fans, so I truly appreciate having this outlet to channel my passion for the team with a bunch of people who are just as obsessed as I am. Jon, you and the KFS crew make following the team more fun than fun is fun
I’m so pissed i couldn’t go crazy in the substack chat last night. Can’t wait to meet you guys in person tomorrow!
Kudos to Alan Hahn for realizing he was going to have to do the talking but still making it Jalen's moment.
In a world with tragedies, losses, and suffering-----these Knicks aren't a distraction, they provide moments of joy (which are so desperately needed). When they're right, they are the beating heart of our Naked City and the rhythm of fans' lives across the region, the Nation, and the Globe. [This is something that Brooklyn fans will never understand and mystifies the national media.] Last night, with fans chanting "DEFENSE" I thought I heard the Garden of old. Thanks KFS Crew, Jonathan for all you do. I hope the Garden's caliente on Saturday night. Feverous. BEAT LA!
maybe your best newsletter to date!
I love this team. Everything about it. I have never been this confident and optimistic about a Knick team in YEARS. I don’t even know what to say anymore. No words.
One more thing: I’m not sure why I took an early liking to Precious, but boy have I been proven correct. That 3 play sequence down the stretch where he blocked Siakam, got the tip-in off the DDV miss, and then stripped Siakam, is as good of a sequence as I’ve seen from a Knick big in a defensive setting in crunch time this season. And to do it in a moment of that magnitude after playing the entire 2nd half, makes it even crazier.
There’s nothing more to say about Brunson, but I’ll try. He knew the refs obviously botched the call where he got slapped in the face. Most importantly, he knew that the REFS knew they botched the call. He got the ball on the next play and immediately drove hard into the paint because he knew he was about to get a call. Then he finishes the play and puts it in. The guy is a superstar. There’s no defense for him. Even on a game where he couldn’t shoot.
Great article as alwasy Jon. So very much appreciated that you put into words what we all feel. I am working on 4.5 hours of sleep as I stayed up late and got up early just to find anything and everything online about this game. I texted my brother last night at the end of the game "This is something special. Better than the 90s Knicks. This team has a real chance to win it all." And then, after Jalen choked back teears when Hahn interviewed him (causing me to do the same), perhaps I got a bit carried away with "[Jalen] is our ride or die. He has as much heart as Starks and as much talent as Kobe. He will not be denied." But, as I reflect on it this morning, I am not sure anymore how far off I am. The footwork is reminiscent of another Knicks killer... Hakeem the Dream. And, like Kobe, he makes everyone around him better. Whether I am drinking too much kool-aid or not, I am going to enjoy this all day!
Brunson’s deep bag, impeccable footwork, and overall excellent technique to create angles for his shot-making, especially from the midrange and paint, is very Kobe-esqe. I have a sneaking suspicion that if you look up Kobe highlights from his post-Shaq career (when he relied less on pure athleticism) you’ll see him create in a manner similar to Brunson.
I have always been infatuated with small guards who find ways to become prolific at getting buckets. There is a certain amount of skill it takes to put these numbers up against the trees. All I got to say is this teams effort night in and night out is inspiring. This is what sports is all about and Macri your piece incapsulates the magic of it all. Let’s go Knicks!