So after 39 seasons without winning a title, I find it almost laughable that Knick fan’s unconditional love could be tested by a simple 3 game losing streak. During the course of an 82-gm season, we will be up, but you can rest assure we will be down as well. This recent bump in the road, although alarming, will not interrupt, what up until now has been the renaissance season of the New York Knicks.
So let us put things in perspective. After an incredible undefeated home winning streak to start the season, home losses now seem to be mounting at a swifter pace. More concerning than that have been the matter in which the games have been lost. The Portland loss was the result of uninspired play after returning back from the holiday Western swing, a swing I may add that resulted in 2 tough losses. Then there was the infamous “Cheerios” game meltdown against the Celtics. A loss that not only resulted in a Carmelo Anthony 1-gm suspension, but also directly led to a loss to the Pacers, who smartly took advantage of Anthony’s absence. The 5th and most recent home loss to the Chicago Bulls was no contest and the final score of 108-101 doesn’t underscore the true dominance of the Bulls 3rd straight victory over New York this season.
No excuses, but the recent sub-par play has definitely been the result of some crushing injuries. As many feared, the Knicks decision to
surround Carmelo with a veteran heavy squad could result in a roller coaster season of injuries. Although the Knicks have survived injuries to Jason Kidd (back), Ray Felton (hand), Rasheed Wallace (foot), Amare’ Stoudemire (knee) and Marcus Camby (foot) those fears seem to have come to fruition.
Fortunately, the Knicks still sit atop the Atlantic division, with a 23-13 record. With defensive stud Iman Shumpert due to return shortly from injury, Stoudemire battling back into form, Carmelo still performing at an MVP caliber and the team’s eventual return to full health, the Knicks remain on track to reach heights that haven’t been reached in quite some time. Mainly the Atlantic division title and a deep playoff run.
If embarrassing moments like the sexual abuse trial, the handling of the Don Chaney firing, Frederick Weiss or the entire Isiah Thomas era couldn’t deter or diminish Knicks fans’ unconditional love and support for our heroes in orange and blue, nothing ever will.
And that’s the beauty of unconditional love. It’s defined as affection without any limitations and comes in many forms. It can come in the form of parent’s love of a child, a couple’s love for one another or even the pure love our pets can shower on us like my cat “Gru”. In this case, it’s the love each and every Knick fan carries for the team that no matter how frustrating the ride might get, that no matter how long we might have to endure the championship drought our unconditional love unlike many other fan bases, will never waver.
Charles R. Trimble III @ TrimsFCN – Knickswag Contributor
Great piece.