KNICKS ARE IN ROUND 2!!!
54) And other (brief) thoughts on the 2023 NBA Playoffs
GO NY GO NY GO!!!
The NY Knicks have for the 3rd time all century made it out of the first round of the playoffs. Something they have not done since 2013 (and before that was the year 2000). Not only that, but their new star player Jalen Brunson, led them out of the first round of the playoffs in his first year with the team. https://champsorchumps.us/team/nba/new-york-knicks
Carmelo Anthony was not able to accomplish that, until his 3rd year with the Knicks. In fairness, Melo didn’t arrive until mid season in 2010-2011, so maybe we can’t hold it against him. But, then again, Melo did force a trade to the team mid-season, when he could have signed as a free-agent for the 2011-2012 season. The assets the Knicks gave up to get Melo, crippled them through his whole tenure. After Melo’s successful MVP type 2012-2013 season, the Knicks never made the playoffs again until 2020-2021…long after he was off the team.
CHECK OUT THIS STORY ON CARMELO ANTHONY
I started watching the NBA and the NY Knicks during the 1991-92 season. My favorite all-time NY Knick is - Patrick Ewing, followed not too far behind, Charles Oakley.
Here is my TOP 10:
Patrick Ewing
Charles Oakley
John Starks
Anthony Mason
Derek Harper
Hubert Davis
Latrell Sprewell
Allan Houston
(T-10) Larry Johnson
(T-10) JULIUS RANDALL
My bias is clearly towards the 90s Knicks. And if I had to think more about this, maybe Carmelo Anthony would crack my TOP 10 (but maybe not). Yes, I know I’m salty about the fact that Melo’s last 3 years were trash. Melo’s 4th year (the 2013-14 campaign), while disappointing, did have them compete for a playoff spot. But, the last 3 years (UNDER PHIL JACKSON AS GM) were just awful.
But, enough about Melo it’s time to celebrate the new franchise players on the Knicks and that is Julius Randall, and more importantly - JALEN BRUNSON! I can not praise Brunson enough for the culture he has helped shape for the NY Knicks. And last summer us Knicks fans were kicking ourselves about not getting Donovan Mitchell. NOW LOOK AT US!
In the Summer of 2019, us Knicks fans were bemoaning the fact that we missed out on the Zion Williamson sweepstakes and that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both opted for the Nets. Well, Zion Williamson has shown to always be too injured to consistently play. In fact Zion has never even suited up for his team for any playoff or play-in games! And this is after 4 years on the Pelicans!!!
As for the Nets! Kudos to them for making the playoffs every year since 2019. But, both KD and Kyrie are no longer on the team, and the Knicks have now already matched the exact same number of playoff series wins as the Nets in the same time-span! So… NOW LOOK AT US!!!
And not to throw cold water on the Knicks and their recent success, but I find both the Bucks and the Heat to be superior teams. (That is who they will play in round 2). However, as for me I will savor the fact that the Knicks have two star players that I’m proud to see as the face of the team. While I would say they need a 3rd star…honestly, I miss Superstars being homegrown talents (meaning the team winning a championship on the team that drafted them). Part of what makes Brunson and Randall dope isn’t because they hopped on the Knicks, but rather they weren’t anyone’s first choice. So they are the next best thing after homegrown.
And when I scan the rest of the playoff teams, I can’t help but like Devin Booker. While his 2 co-stars hopped there, I can really appreciate Booker’s style of play and how he carries himself. It’s also incredibly ironic that it still seems like Booker’s Team, even though Kevin Durant arrived to help deliver a Championship for them. (We will see if it happens).
CHECK OUT THIS STORY ON KEVIN DURANT!
I’m happy these NBA Playoffs are turning out so good. It was a rather under-whelming regular season, with wacky stories that had nothing to do with the game. But, now the Knicks are once again relevant, and The People Rejoice! How long the Knicks relevancy will last…who knows? But, I’m not taking it for granted…and no I don’t think they are going to win the Championship anytime soon. But, it’s still a wonderful time to be a Knicks fan!
Peace & Love
-JPJ
