For me, loving "the Knicks"-- the orange-and-blue concept that existed long before I did-- has always meant finding some part of the concept's physical manifestation to absorb my love. For what feels like the first time, the Knicks absorb none of my love. They reflect it all right back in my face.

On a global level, rooting for the Knicks is pretty bleak right now. It's hard to feel hopeful for their long-term prospects. But even on a nightly, game-by-game basis, things feel warped. Why do I watch the games? It's not for entertainment. It's not out of hope for success. I watch them because I am a Knicks fan. But why am I a Knicks fan? Because I am. That's it.

On January 23, 2014, my being a Knicks fan has none of the trappings of fanhood except one: I know I am a Knicks fan. I'm sure I'll find something to latch onto soon enough, but at this moment, I am a Knicks fan, the Knicks are in the middle of their season, and those two truths do not correlate.

This has come up in game threads, but I want to ask directly:

1. What is watching games like for you now?

2. Do you even still watch whole games?

3. How do you feel when the Knicks falter?

4. How do you feel when they rally?

5. Do you care if they win?

What is being a Knicks fan to you on January 23, 2014?

2. no, not even pieces of games

3. great, because i called it when they signed amar'e that we're fugazy-bound

4. nothing, it's what they should be doing with a $400 million dollar roster

5. not at all

Being a Knicks fan on january 23 2014 for me is being an English Premier League fan and wondering if the Juan Mata transfer is really gonna go through, and if Wenger will pull off a coup and sign Julian Draxler for the title push.

1. What is watching games like for you now? Frustrating. I still dont believe that last year was a fluke and that this team is capable of much more..they just lack direction. The competition has adjusted to the Knicks and the Knicks coaching staff have done nothing about it.

2. Do you even still watch whole games? yes

3. How do you feel when the Knicks falter?I have become numb to it. These days, I expect it

4. How do you feel when they rally?excitement and frustrated at the same time because in those small spurts they show what they can do.

5. Do you care if they win?Always. I dont care if its Layden, Thomas, Weatherspoon, Anderson, MDA, Sprewell, Dudley, Woodson or Melo representing this team, I always want my Knicks to do well.

2. Do you even still watch whole games? They don't play a whole game.

3. How do you feel when the Knicks falter? My penis shrinks, my wife asks (are you in?), My kids don't put my tools away, nobody leaves me toilet paper.

4. How do you feel when they rally? I get a boner, my wifes says "ouch", My kids don't need any tools and the Charmin flows like a river!

5. Do you care if they win? I prefer to be "right" and if I predicted a losing season then its better to be the guy that says "told ya"! Me winning is paramount!

What is being a Knicks fan to you on January 23, 2014? Its a joke not taken too seriously. Im used to it.

Mostly like a chore. The best way I can describe it is, remember when you were younger? Like around 11, 12, 13 years old and your parents have loosened up and allowed you stay out a little later with your friends then they used. And Winter has turned to Spring and you want to spend as much time as possible outside hanging out with your friends? Watching Knicks games is like that only instead of going out you have to stay inside and do homework all night and you never get to go outside. That's what watching Knicks games is like.

2. Do you even still watch whole games?

I don't think I've watched a full game since the playoffs. Mostly, they're something to have on in the background while I do something else.

3. How do you feel when the Knicks falter?

Angry and miserable.

4. How do you feel when they rally?

Dread. Waiting for us to blow it like we always do.

5. Do you care if they win?

Last year I did; this year I brace for the inevitable losing streak.

What is being a Knicks fan to you on January 23, 2014?

Like I'm a ****ing idiot for continuing to support this team while its owner spits in our faces and laughs at us.

2. Do you even still watch whole games?
no

3. How do you feel when the Knicks falter?
dont care

4. How do you feel when they rally?
dont care

5. Do you care if they win?
not right now

2. Do you even still watch whole games?
Again, watching a while game, my doctor says, may cause permanent brain damage so I tend to limit my watching to a quarter at most.

3. How do you feel when the Knicks falter?
Like I just hit replay on the new JD and the Straight Shot CD.

4. How do you feel when they rally?
Not too bad but, as a rule, the current team is quite good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory so I usually take a moment to pour a drink.

5. Do you care if they win?
I'd be happier, yes, if they won a few games.

6. What is being a Knicks fan to you on January 23, 2014?
Like being a backup singer in JD and the Straight Shot . . . concerned that I'm going to learn to sing out of tune.

but

this year, I just don't have the interest and watching Woody's lack of system, poor rotation, and utilization of lineups/injured players is just hurtful and stressful to my eyes, brain, and heart

Answer is NO to all, I am still a Knick's fan waiting for CHANGE, waiting to see what the next moves will be between players/trades/off season acquisitions, and changes in management/coaching for our future

Woodson is just too predictable and horrible for me, along with the flaws and lack of talent on this team

holfresh wrote:Heat versus OKC should be great basketball and it's not..Not like the Bulls/Knicks or Lakers/Celtic, not even the Knicks/Heat..Those were epic battles...

this is nostalgia talking. the knicks/bulls and heat games were absolutely ugly basketball personified. iso ball for the knicks every possession and low scoring grind out games. they were not pretty to watch - you just remember them as great b/c you were younger and they were playoff games. watch them now and you see ugliness.

VCoug wrote:1. What is watching games like for you now?

Mostly like a chore. The best way I can describe it is, remember when you were younger? Like around 11, 12, 13 years old and your parents have loosened up and allowed you stay out a little later with your friends then they used. And Winter has turned to Spring and you want to spend as much time as possible outside hanging out with your friends? Watching Knicks games is like that only instead of going out you have to stay inside and do homework all night and you never get to go outside. That's what watching Knicks games is like.

Shit, that's what my whole life feels like right now.