New York Knicks End of Season Wrap Up

Predicted Outcome: 35-47, third place Atlantic Division
Finished: 42-40, second place Atlantic Division, 0-4 playoffs

They finished an underwhelming 42-40 and got embarrassingly swept by ‘;the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, but the New York Knicks have reawakened the Big Apple, but the game of basketball as well. Finally, after years of trudging in futility, the world’s largest sports market and greatest street ball Mecca finally has a team it can be proud of. Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni finally came through as promised and folks from Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens (not Brooklyn, they’ll soon have their own team) can finally hang their heads high. To think it started with just one man.

Many were skeptical when it was announced that New York signed Amare Stoudemire last summer. After all, he spent most of his career as Steve Nash’s sidekick on the Phoenix Suns. Many credited Stoudemire’s performance not because of his skills and abilities, but that of Nash’s ability to find him open for his numerous lobs and alley-oops. Suns fans did not even bat an eye when Amare left, even going as far to say "good riddance." However, little did they know that it was not Nash that made him the star that he was. In fact, some could possibly say that Nash was actually holding him back as he literally exploded once he set foot on the parquet floor of Madison Square Garden. It was as if after years of being caged in Phoenix, he was finally set free and once freed he spread his wings and took flight.

As he took off he carried his entire team along with the new city he called home. It was as if the entire city of New York rose from the murky depth exploded in an orgy of light and color as if it were the fourth of July. It was as if rays of hope and excitement were injected into the populace and were risen up to the heavens in ecstasy. Here was the hero that they have so long searched for. After years of shame and disappointment, their long wait will finally be over. Someone had finally arrived to take them to the promised land. There would no more false prophets and no more sacrificial lambs for the New York Media to tear limb from limb. Amare had finally brought basketball back to the Big Apple. (To be continued)