We are New York and we love basketball; we are the New York Knicks . . . . Basketball, Basketball. My brother and I loved hearing that song every time we set foot in The Garden. MSG . . . the Mecca of Basketball. Later it would be called the World’s Most Famous Arena. My childhood memories . . . the building was loud, cheering through the national anthem, blue seats, chants of DEFENSE, the organ, John Condon and very sticky floors. Favorite moments with my Dad . . . Bill Bradley night, learning about the teams of the 70’s and the legendary Willis Reed game, meeting Clyde and “Dean the Dream”. I graduated to taking the train into the city with friends to see Bernard King return after his knee injury, feet still sticking to the floor and people up in the blues drinking beer through straws. If you went to a game in the 70’s or 80’s you know what I am talking about. Thank you, David Stern, frozen envelope, lottery win . . . PATRICK EWING . . . Playoff battles vs. Bulls and Pacers, Go New York, Go New York Go, roof came off for “The Dunk” by Starks only to be silenced by Charles Smith’s inability to finish under the hoop (he was fouled). The next year, I took my Dad to an NBA Finals game vs. the Rockets. Fast forward . . . refurbished Garden, no more sticky floors and no more blue seats but still a magical place. I introduced my wife and children to MSG and we built our own garden memories . . . missed on Lebron but landed Amare, MLK and Christmas Day, Carmelo’s “I am Coming Home” game, 2013 playoffs and Carmelo’s 62. Thank you to Leon Rose and World Wide Wes, the playoff drought is over, the city is talking about the Knicks again and the Garden is alive. Cheers to Thibs for coaching this GrittyGutty team made up of THE BIG 15 . . . NEW YORK, WE HERE
THE BIG 15 . . . NEW YORK, WE HERE