Like all of you, I am so excited and proud that the Knicks reached the finals. I was in high school the last time we reached the finals, a middle school grasshopper in 94, and not around for our championships a half century ago.
I was very disappointed last summer when the Knicks decided to let go of Thibs and hire Mike Brown.
I felt that that Thibs shortcomings (overusing the starters, late adjustments) could have been worked out internally, given the drastic improvement the team made over his 5 year tenure.
Before the season started, I had no faith that the team could win a championship with Towns (on court decision making) and Brown (experienced average coach). I chose to decline renewing last year's mini ticket subscription plan and not attend any games.
During the season, I thought we had maybe turned it around after playing exceptional basketball during the tournament, winning the cup. I supported the decision not to hang a banner in the rafters for the tournament cup because we had bigger fish to fry. We then regressed back to our old bad habits during the winter, playing selfish, unintelligent, uninspired basketball.
I did not think we would win another game after game 3 of the Hawks series. I thought Brown would be let go and we would look to trade Towns and Bridges for Giannis.
However, things have completely changed for the better. We are finally playing the right way.
Good basketball. Towns is now all of a sudden playing terrific defense, no longer barreling into defenders, and is taking quality shots. No more predictable 35 foot 3 point shots and tissue defense. No more crying to the refs when things don't go his way. Instead he is hustling back on defense as he should. He is letting his actions do the talking, not his mouth. He has become a facilitator and we are making great use of his ability to pass the ball well. His scoring works itself out.
Bridges is no longer standing in a corner waiting to receive the ball for a 3 point shot. He is locked in on defense, and is cutting and slashing to the hoop in addition to his beautiful midrange game that he has dialed in full throttle. We finally have the Mikal Bridges we saw during his Phoenix Suns days.
Brunson is evolving and is no longer dribbling the air out of the ball. He is selfless, decisive, and playing off the ball more, letting the offense come to him within the flow of the game. He is involving his talented teammates and no longer looking to do everything himself. Teams can no longer bully, trap, and push him around for an entire possession. He has learned to make them pay for that. He is our MVP and best player. The ball will always find it's way back in his hands, especially if we really need a bucket.
OG is my favorite Knick. This is what they paid him big bucks for. Elite man to man defense, help defense, clutch baskets. Straight dog, winner, who helps teams win championships.
Josh has been terrific, doing all the little important things. Nice job making the Cavs pay for laying off him on defense.
Great decision to bring Landry back. The longer he is with the Knicks, the better he gets. Particularly his defense. Health has always been the issue.
Now if we can somehow get some arc on Mitch's free throws.
Credit to Mike Brown. He was not on our radar and was maybe our 20th or 21st choice to succeed Thibs.
Yet, he made adjustments in the nick of time, has steered the ship on course, and brought us to the finals as expected. I was completely against and not at all in favor of his hiring, however he has turned the team around since the first 3 games of the first round. The team is committed and bought in. The Knicks are finally playing the right way. A completely different style that emphasizes hard work, defense, sacrifice, passing, and is maximizing their roster, potential, and talent. As they should. They are playing winning basketball.
My wife and I drove from Queens to Ohio for game 3 over the weekend. Our first and likely only Knick game this season, given the price of finals tickets. It was Knicks land in Cleveland. Amazing energy and worth the trip.
Let's GO Knicks!
