The New York Knicks have been a forgotten NBA team for the longest while. Irrelevant, for so long it is hard to remember when exactly the fall off, took place.
The sad truth is that the Knicks have proven to us that it is possible, even for Mecca’s, (Trinidad be warned) to fall off.
However, this is no time for a pity party. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!!!!
This potentially is time for an NBA Championship party because the Knicks won game 1 of a 7 game series, against the San Antonio Spurs.
First Things First, It’s Nice To Be First.
Most notably, the Knicks have: struck the first punch with, that first punch being on the Spurs’ home floor. What this means is the Knicks, have already begun overturning the Spurs’ homecourt advantage.
In the NBA, the finals schedule is set so that the team with the higher seeding of the final two NBA teams, get to have games 1, 2, 5 & 7 on its floor.
Now, asides from home court advantage. Another important perspective to bear in mind is momentum. Historically, teams that win game 1 have a great chance of winning it all.
Winning again on Friday would mean the Knicks would go up to 2-0 with the next two games being in New York. That would give the Knicks a great shot at sweeping or at least splitting their two homes games and having a commanding 3-1 lead.
The New York Knicks, Keep On Winning.
Which would all but guarantee the Knicks eventually win it all. Furthermore, the Knicks currently have an historic 11-0 win streak going. This indicates two things, that this team is exceptional and knows how to close out games.
In other words the New York Knicks are exactly the type of team that is capable of beating the notable, San Antonio Spurs. Who find themselves trailing in an NBA finals, for the first time in their exceptional history. What particularly makes New York dangerous is the fact that they are a two way threat.
Analysing the box score and stats from game 1’s game, shows that these two teams are generally a pretty good match up for each other. However, if there were two stats that just about stand out in New York’s favor, it’s the fact that the Knicks outperformed the Spurs when it came to field goals (39-94 to 32-89) whilst also getting more steals (8 versus 4 for the Spurs) and turning over the ball less. The Knicks turned over the ball 9 times versus the Spurs’ 13 turnovers.
The New York Knicks, Two Way Play & Team Effort.
Finally, the fact that the Spurs best player, Victor Wembanyama failed to score efficiently. Particularly in comparison to the Knicks’ players, is also a sign the Knicks may be about to win it all.
One thing is for sure though, the New York Knicks are most definitely relevant again. They are doing things that few teams in NBA history have. Which is why, following their game 1 victory it is no surprise that the New York Knicks, are the new favorites to win it all.
Which is why Fat Joe and the rest of the Caribbean Diaspora in and outside of New York, have some reasons to feel good about the Knicks potentially winning it all.
Better Late Than Never, For The New York Knicks.
New York is a place many immigrants in general and particularly Caribbean immigrants, have been able to build homes and realize dreams. Whilst this historical tendency does seem to be under threat nowadays. For now, we can forget about all of that and instead rally around a play “so nice, it had to be named twice“!!
As the legendary Frank Sinatra would say, right now it’s up to you New York, New York!!!!
