In Case of Emergency: Break Glass

By Donald Christopher

January 21, 2007

It was one of those increasing moments where I wondered how New York Knick fans could even work together, much less cheer for the same team.
When eight years feel like 34, it's time for fans to break the emergency glass.

While sitting in the breakroom and patiently awaiting usage of the microwave (as usual), a co-worker and I engaged in a conversation about our favorite NBA team -- the Knicks. Our past talks had been some of the most enjoyable ever. But all of a sudden, she had now decided that she was "forever" swearing off the Knicks because she was emotionally drained over the team and its losing ways. Already knowing that she'd been a fan since the 1993-94 season where the Knicks reached but lost in the NBA Finals to the Houston Rockets in seven games, I quietly understood that she was simply frustrated from being initially spoiled by the success and lately starved for a repeat performance. In short, the past seasons of not being able to accept the losing atmosphere had given birth to her pent-up anger and growing resentment towards the organization.

"Trade Marbury! Fire Isiah!! Kill Dolan!!!" she screamed.

At first, I began to recite such tired and admittingly often-used hoopla about how in the world she ever considered herself to be a Knick fan when a "real Knick fan" would remain loyal to the team through thick and thin.

"Gimme a break," she quickly countered. "That is some of the most ignorant crap I have ever heard."

Not deterred by her amusing and expected remarks, I managed a slight grin then calmly proceeded to point out how every successful professional franchise goes through a drought period where the wins are few and in between.

"Look at the Los Angeles Lakers, the Detroit Pistons, the Chicago Bulls...and even the Miami Heat."

"Yeah, and they've all won a championship...sucked and won yet another championship, some even more than one," she promptly stated. "The Knicks haven't won a single championship in 34 years and counting!"

With those words, I instantly realized that I wasn't just dealing with a bruised ego. This was an internal wound. Seeing how this would take a little time to heal, I begin to unpack my lunch.

Of course when any once-storied franchise undergoes the dreaded transformation from winning to losing, it can cause mutiny amongst its fans and a certain level of friction within the relationship. Still, I'm surprised that our argument centered around my attempt to show her the reasons why she should remain faithful to the Knicks despite her unyielding feelings of anarchy. I mean, it's not like she was incorrect in her feelings of disgust. The Knicks are losers; their season does routinely end once the "real season" begins, and they haven't won a championship since the late Elvis Presley was still doing hip gyrations. All this while being firmly planted in a city that never sleeps. The same city which boasts some of the most knowledgeable and passionate basketball fans in the world. Frankly, the time passed between now and the team's last Finals appearance in 1999 feels like 34 years in itself.

I wasn't about to insult her respected intelligence (not that she would allow me to anyway), but I figured I would give her some imperative advice instead on how to deal with such a hot-button issue. While removing my plate from the microwave, I rounded up some of the major problems that we as Knick fans are confronted by, and solutions on how to reconcile the estranged relationship:

*breaking glass*

Problem: You don't see eye-to-eye on a fundamental issue.
Solution: Do not try to convince fellow fans that you are content with the losing atmosphere. Assure them that you also accept nothing less than the team winning. After all, that is why they play the game. But throughout the treason, somehow you have managed to remain a die-hard fan. Whenever you find yourself dealing with such a basic issue, you have to explain the "why" behind your positions. Well, we have made it this far and somehow succeeded to avoid taking an overdose, so what does not kill you makes you stronger. That lack of comfort that winning provides may have led to a difference of beliefs somewhere along the way, but reassure those discontent fans that the Knicks are now a younger and more talented team which speaks of a change from their losing ways in the near future.

Problem: The Knicks are pushovers.
Solution: Most winning teams have at least one player who is more of an enforcer than others because of either temperament or philosphy. In 1994, it was Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason. In 1999, it was Latrell Sprewell. Nowadays, it's Nate Robinson. And yes, the latter was said with a straight face. Seriously, judging by the long-overdue incident that occured against the Denver Nuggets, it appears that head coach Isiah Thomas has implemented a few house rules. Next time, there should be no need for discussion or warning. Not enforcing limits can teach opponents that their actions have no consequences, and despite what Carmelo Anthony feels, that can never be a good thing. Truth be told, there's nothing wrong with "lowering the boom" when the moment calls for it.

Usually, the Knicks are the brunt of every joke on draft night. But after drafting Channing Frye, Robinson, David Lee, and Renaldo Balkman, hardly anyone is laughing now.

Problem: You aren't both with the program.
Solution: All Knick fans have at least one thing in common -- we want the team to win. Despite whatever arguments, never lose sight of the fact that this is an absolute truth. In recent years, it may have appeared that Garden CEO James Dolan may have resided on an entirely different planet than the Knicks President. And Thomas is on an different planet than his coach, and so forth. But before this season, fans were treated to a more status-conscious owner who failed to find anything worth laughing about after the team's worst season in franchise history. His given ultimatum speaks of anything less than winning being uncivilized. Therefore, one can acknowledge that everyone breathes the same air.

Next -- and this may sound obvious, but it's often neglected -- make sure you agree on what is and isn't possible. If you can admit that this is far from a championship caliber team, then there will be no need for you to threaten a hunger strike after the Knicks lose to the Memphis Grizzlies. Likewise, you won't gamble your 401K plan when the Knicks defeat the Dallas Mavericks in a regular season game. The point of the matter is, everyone needs to agree on the big picture. Don't allow the little things get in the way, such as the team not having a Most Valuable Player candidate or the championship caliber defense which every team possess that Stern hands over the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Problem: Growing Pains.
Solution: As fans, sometimes we have to hold back and accept the learning process. The past warriors that we hold so dear to our basketball hearts never won our hearts without experiencing a few ups and downs at first. No matter how bad it may seem, always remember that there will be disappointing performances, mistakes made, more losses than wins, and personal moments where you may desire to leave the stands and take swings at a particular Knick player on the court. Once you truly accept the fact that players have to crawl before they walk, it will spare everyone from having to watch the entire Knicks team and their opponents completely manhandle you after you slap Jerome James.

Problem: Your standards aren't the same.
Solution: One needs to be consistent, but one must also be fair. Personally, I know of not one Knick fan that has witnessed the team win a championship. And chances are, neither do you. So why is it the end of the world since this isn't a championship team? According to your logic, shouldn't the world have already ended?

By no means am I saying you shouldn't root for the team to hang banners in the rafters, but at the same time, I do ask for you to be reasonable. There should at least be some progression in your thoughts. If the Knicks have failed to even make the playoffs in over three seasons, the first order of business should be rooting for a playoff appearance...then winning at least one game...then winning a series...then another...then possibly the NBA Finals. See the progession?

http://www.nykfanpage.com/editorials/viewarticle.php?articleid=216

Well, that's 5 minutes that I'm never going to get back.

bottom line is, we've heen horribly managed for too long. IT isn't significantly worse or better than anyone else we've had. it's totally legitimate to criticize his performance and still support the team- although some people on here take this too far IMO, bashing players unfairly to make IT look worse.