While I'm not a New Yorker I started following the Knicks in the early 90's when Pat Riley took over. I was a casual observer prior to that, and after I started following Ewing, Oakley, Starks, Mason, Anthony, and the rest I was hooked. When I think about the Knicks I think about heart. It's about guys overcoming their physical limitations, rule changes from the NBA customized against us, bull**** referee calls, the coddling of Jordan, and the disdain of the national media, to find ways to win no matter what.
I lived and died on the Knicks all through the decade and endured the ups and downs of our team, all the way through the battered warrior Patrick Ewing willing his body to shake down his so-called predecessor Alonzo in round 1 of the 1999 playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy attacking the Miami Heat on behalf of his players, Reggie Miller fouling Starks three times in a row in the greatest false heroism in sports history, the rise of misfit Latrell Spreewell, the transformation of LJ into a 3-point master, and of course finally beating the Bulls and Pacers en route to the NBA Finals. I stuck with my Knicks all the way until Ewing was traded. After that, my interest waned.
I'm not a bandwagoner I didn't jump on some other team, I just stopped watching basketball, except casually observing Isiah Thomas's annual foibles from afar, patiently waiting for someone to wise up and dump him.
But with rosters seemingly brand new every year, and so many big names swapping so frequently, its very difficult to casually follow the NBA, and nothing was happening that could really suck me in again.
I was holding out hope that we might win the LeBron sweepstakes, and thought that might get me to watch again, but no. But they pursued another superstar in Carmello Anthony and prior to that Amar'e Stoudamire, and I was happy again that my Knicks seemed to be on the right track. But it still wasn't enough to get me to actually DVR a game or two and sit down for 2-3 hours and watch.
But then came the news of this mysterious man named Jeremy Lin. A real-life phenomenon, could it be? Was he legit, was it merely a slow news week? I started reading the articles and controversy around him and my interest started to build. so I looked at the schedule and saw an afternoon NBC game against the NBA champs. so there I sat on a Sunday afternoon and watched magic. This kid is for real and is the most unique star in all of sports. At least for me, my interest in the NBA, and the Knicks returned. Seeing newcomer JR Smith step in with something to prove and nail those first two 3-pointers was awesome. The gawky token white boy and his mega 3-pointers and ensuing swagger was great. And of course, all the heroics of Jeremy Lin. And we didn't even add Melo to the mix! I see great things in this team, and like the Knicks of the 90's, a lot of emotional struggles and ups and downs. I just hope this time around the referee calls go OUR way.
But what it comes down to is Sunday morning was the first time I've watched an NBA game in over a decade, no lie or exaggeration. And after seeing it, I am all in, or should I say "All-Lin". I already ordered some new Knick merchandise (since my old stuff is all faded), and when i get the dough a Lin jersey will be coming. They say someone like Jeremy Lin is going to bring in new viewers to the NBA, but what he's done is brought back an intense Knick fan who is ready to cheer his @$$ off for my NYK!!!!