We’re the New York Knicks

My love for the New York Knicks began in the early ’70s when I arrived in New York from Barbados. It was a time of transition, a time of discovery, and a time when I fell in love with the game of basketball.

The Beginning of a Lifelong Journey

My grandmother worked for a family in Long Island. They were season ticket holders for both the New York Mets and The New York Knicks. When they couldn’t make a game, they gave my grandmother the tickets. There were always four tickets, enough for me, my grandmother, my Aunt, and my cousin. We would go to the games together, a family outing that I remember fondly.

In those early times, I remember more Mets games than I do Knicks games. I was more into baseball at the time, and I loved the Mets. They were winning, and the thrill of victory was intoxicating. We saw many Mets and Knicks games thanks to that wonderful family in Long Island. And because of a family just like them, that my Mom worked for, I am in this country today. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

The Shift to Basketball

But then the losing started for the Mets, and the games were so long. The Knicks, on the other hand, were winning. Their games were faster, more exciting, and I was hooked.

Knicks Memories

I remember two NBA championship series runs against the Los Angeles Lakers and Wilt Chamberlain. We lost the first series 4 games to 1, after winning the first game. But we won the next year, 4 games to 1, after losing the first game.

I remember listening to Knicks games on the radio, watching one Knicks game on ABC TV every weekend. I remember sports announcer Marv Albert and his ‘YES’, just like Mike Breen’s ‘Bang’ today.

My best radio memory is a 16-point comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks with their star Kareem Abdul Jabbar. And my most recent memories include Patrick Ewing breaking his hand in Milwaukee, the Spurs winning the NBA championship at MSG, Grand Mama aka Larry Johnson, John Starks’ dunk on Michael Jordan, and Reggie Miller and those last-second 3’s.

The Knicks and Me

The Knicks have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. They’ve given me joy, heartbreak, and everything in between. But more than anything, they’ve given me a love for the game of basketball that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. And for that, I will always be a Knicks fan.