Happy Thanksgiving! Why New York Knicks Fans are Thankful
By Scott Davis
The New York Knicks haven’t given fans much to cheer about this season. In fact, besides for last year, and spurts of the previous two seasons, there hasn’t been much to cheer about in a decade.
But nonetheless, Thanksgiving Day is a time for recognizing all that is great in our lives — even if there are some horrible, agonizing details we need to set aside. Rooting for the Knicks is no different. This team is painful at times, its front office mettlesome and disastrous, but being a Knicks fan is better than what a lot of other fan bases get to root for. Buckets Over Broadway had some of their writers weigh in on what they’re thankful for with the Knicks this Thanksgiving:
November 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Broadcaster and former New York Knicks player Walt Frazier prepares for a game between the Knicks and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Scott Davis (@WScottDavis): I’m thankful for the broadcasting duo of Mike Breen and Walt Clyde Frazier. For a team with as frequent roster turnover and drama as the Knicks, there isn’t much consistency, but each fall, through the winter, and into the spring, Breen and Clyde take the mics make the Knicks one of the more enjoyable teams to listen to. Where else do you get perennial rhymes like Clyde’s — “dishing and swishing,” “winning and grinning,” “huffing and stuffing” — or Mike Breen’s epic “BANG!” calls, or the general back-and-forth banter between the two. One time, Clyde told Breen in the midst of a broadcast that he wanted to use Mike as shark bait on one of his fishing trips in St. Croix. It’s these types of things that make the Knicks worth sticking around for.
Matt Shetler (@buccos12): I’m thankful to have seen the Knicks play at MSG. Being from Pittsburgh I have never gotten the opportunity until two years ago when my fiancee made it happen. I have seen the Rangers in the Garden, and the Knicks play in several other arenas, but never had the opportunity to see my beloved Knicks play at the greatest arena in the world. Walking in I was like a kid in a candy store taking in all of the sites, and the crowd was electric. I even saw Walt Frazier outside. Unfortunately I missed Jeremy Lin by one game, but it was a moment I am grateful for and will never forget.
Phil DeMeo (@phildemeo): I’m thankful that they aren’t as disappointing as the Nets…oh wait. I’m thankful they have a draft pick for the deepest draft in history…oh wait. I’m thankful the organization has a solid plan moving forward…oh wait.
Richard Bertin (richardbertin): I’m thankful for the JD & the Straight Shoot for providing me an endless array of unintentional laughter. I’m thankful for finally being able to have some decent food options at MSG. Have you tried those Lobster Rolls? I’m thankful for the Knicks letting me down early that way I don’t have to worry about getting upset later in the year.
Seth Klein (@SethDaSportsMan): I’m thankful that I was able to grow up in the ’80s and ’90s, a great era for Knicks basketball, and got to watch Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks, Anthony Mason, etc. play in their prime. THAT Knicks basketball made me the fan that I am today.
Kevin Metz (@Knicksology): This may be a bit too bitter but I’m thankful for all the Knicks fans who have stuck by this team and not jumped on the shiny new Nets bandwagon. The sweet cannot be as sweet without the sour, and man, have we had a lot of sour over the years….
Eric Kaplan (drekaplan): I give thanks to the Knicks tradition. Even at the Knicks’ lowest moments, we know the tradition of winning will turn this season around. Playing in the world’s greatest arena has an impact that is more far reaching that basketball. The Knicks are about more than just basketball — they’re about the tradition of winning.Knicks have always led their community and will be there this holiday and every holiday to display heart and character.Once you are a Knick — fan or player — you are a Knick for life. This tradition is what being makes being a Knick fan so special.
Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at the Buckets Over Broadway staff!