The Knicks pulled the NBA universe in with their improbability, then proved a truth they knew all along: certainty and doubt are two sides of the same coin.
Great writeup and really appreciate the pivot to reflecting on PTSD. While it can be a bit too serious, in a way, since it's "sports," for fans of long suffering franchises (I grew up a Bengals fan since the early 90s,as well as a Reds and Pistons fan - I know of losing), it is very, very real.
Beautiful. I can relate to the heightened anxiety as the victory got closer.
I believed in this team from the start of the playoffs because they’re a team full of playoff risers, with collective playoff experience, a two way bench, and the best closer in the NBA.
But as the team made progress toward that goal and the smell of it started permeating me like fresh baking bread, a counterweight took hold…
“What if, after getting this close, they blow it?
Even after that last Anunoby free throw putting them up by 4, as Fox was streaking down the court….
“What if he hits a 3, the Spurs steal the inbound and they hit a miracle shot, then they somehow win game 6 in the garden and Brunson gets hurt?”
In hindsight, the Knicks had it under control the whole time, with 2 points of doubt that they quickly vanquished.
Excellent article, Matthew. It really struck me. I'm a Kings fan, and I felt a lot for Knicks fans. It is tough to root for a team that has gone through many difficult seasons and has terrible ownership. And I cannot imagine how amazing, and how indescribable it felt when the Knicks won the championship after a 53 year drought.
As a Kings fan, I felt just a portion of that when the Kings made the playoffs in 2022. It felt amazing to just be in the playoffs again and, even though the Kings lost, I still felt grateful and ecstatic.
I'm very happy for you and other Knicks fans.
"One thing that sucks about PTSD is while it’s an illness, something we treat and work to recover from, getting better often makes things worse, at least initially. It’s common for a positive breakthrough to be followed by a sudden, steep crash that spirals into a conviction one has failed. No.
When you heal, you stop relying on defense mechanisms that you needed at some point but have outgrown. You lay down your armor, only then realizing how heavy it is, how much it’d hurt to walk around in. The next time you’re tested, the defense you’re used to relying on is gone. You’re newly vulnerable, likely to get hurt. It takes time and reps before you get used to what being healthy feels like."
This is so powerfully written. I struggle with a lot of anxiety (for many years) and this struck me. It's so easy to rely on defense mechanisms. To try to bury emotions. To resist being vulnerable. But, it's so important to do so. And you're right, it takes a lot of time and reps.
Sending you my support.
"The Knicks help me connect with people while feeling safe. One day at a time, I try to get used to it. The Knicks are NBA champs. One day at a time, I try to get used to it. Somewhere under the sky, a lion and an ant are making it work. One day at a time." I absolutely love this :) Such a beautiful way to end the article.
Thanks for reading and for your support, Alex. I've been a secondary Sacramento fan since the '90s and written about the Knicks-Kings kinship: coastal teams with top-shelf fan bases their owners don't deserve. I remember watching on TV when the Knicks played their in the '90s and Mitch Richmond was there. The Kings were lousy then, like several teams. But I'd never seen such fervent support for a losing side before. When they were peaking in the early 2000s they were my adopted team. The only game I think my mother ever watched was G7 against the Lakers (she thought the reffing smelled, too).
Burying emotions is always easier for me. It's helpful for me to remember when I'm feeling good that that burying feelings isn't instinctive. It's something I learned to do, as a response to something. Feeling feelings, sharing them with others -- that's the only way to stop hurting, to heal, and to live.
Easier said than done. Rooting for you from New York, amigo.
Thank you so much, Matthew! I really appreciate your thoughtful response! I admire our respective fanbases and the love we have for our teams in spite of the lousy seasons and frustrations. Do you have links to your articles about the Knicks/Kings kinship? I'd love to read it.
I remember the 90s-00s Knicks with Ewing, Camby, Houston, and more. They were cool. And I agree with your mom, the officiating was terrible.
So true. Burying emotions is learned. And you are right, feeling the feelings is key. I am rooting for you too :) Thank you very much! Much support from CA!! 😀
Great writeup and really appreciate the pivot to reflecting on PTSD. While it can be a bit too serious, in a way, since it's "sports," for fans of long suffering franchises (I grew up a Bengals fan since the early 90s,as well as a Reds and Pistons fan - I know of losing), it is very, very real.
Beautiful. I can relate to the heightened anxiety as the victory got closer.
I believed in this team from the start of the playoffs because they’re a team full of playoff risers, with collective playoff experience, a two way bench, and the best closer in the NBA.
But as the team made progress toward that goal and the smell of it started permeating me like fresh baking bread, a counterweight took hold…
“What if, after getting this close, they blow it?
Even after that last Anunoby free throw putting them up by 4, as Fox was streaking down the court….
“What if he hits a 3, the Spurs steal the inbound and they hit a miracle shot, then they somehow win game 6 in the garden and Brunson gets hurt?”
In hindsight, the Knicks had it under control the whole time, with 2 points of doubt that they quickly vanquished.
Sure didn’t feel that way though!
Excellent article, Matthew. It really struck me. I'm a Kings fan, and I felt a lot for Knicks fans. It is tough to root for a team that has gone through many difficult seasons and has terrible ownership. And I cannot imagine how amazing, and how indescribable it felt when the Knicks won the championship after a 53 year drought.
As a Kings fan, I felt just a portion of that when the Kings made the playoffs in 2022. It felt amazing to just be in the playoffs again and, even though the Kings lost, I still felt grateful and ecstatic.
I'm very happy for you and other Knicks fans.
"One thing that sucks about PTSD is while it’s an illness, something we treat and work to recover from, getting better often makes things worse, at least initially. It’s common for a positive breakthrough to be followed by a sudden, steep crash that spirals into a conviction one has failed. No.
When you heal, you stop relying on defense mechanisms that you needed at some point but have outgrown. You lay down your armor, only then realizing how heavy it is, how much it’d hurt to walk around in. The next time you’re tested, the defense you’re used to relying on is gone. You’re newly vulnerable, likely to get hurt. It takes time and reps before you get used to what being healthy feels like."
This is so powerfully written. I struggle with a lot of anxiety (for many years) and this struck me. It's so easy to rely on defense mechanisms. To try to bury emotions. To resist being vulnerable. But, it's so important to do so. And you're right, it takes a lot of time and reps.
Sending you my support.
"The Knicks help me connect with people while feeling safe. One day at a time, I try to get used to it. The Knicks are NBA champs. One day at a time, I try to get used to it. Somewhere under the sky, a lion and an ant are making it work. One day at a time." I absolutely love this :) Such a beautiful way to end the article.
Thanks for reading and for your support, Alex. I've been a secondary Sacramento fan since the '90s and written about the Knicks-Kings kinship: coastal teams with top-shelf fan bases their owners don't deserve. I remember watching on TV when the Knicks played their in the '90s and Mitch Richmond was there. The Kings were lousy then, like several teams. But I'd never seen such fervent support for a losing side before. When they were peaking in the early 2000s they were my adopted team. The only game I think my mother ever watched was G7 against the Lakers (she thought the reffing smelled, too).
Burying emotions is always easier for me. It's helpful for me to remember when I'm feeling good that that burying feelings isn't instinctive. It's something I learned to do, as a response to something. Feeling feelings, sharing them with others -- that's the only way to stop hurting, to heal, and to live.
Easier said than done. Rooting for you from New York, amigo.
Thank you so much, Matthew! I really appreciate your thoughtful response! I admire our respective fanbases and the love we have for our teams in spite of the lousy seasons and frustrations. Do you have links to your articles about the Knicks/Kings kinship? I'd love to read it.
I remember the 90s-00s Knicks with Ewing, Camby, Houston, and more. They were cool. And I agree with your mom, the officiating was terrible.
So true. Burying emotions is learned. And you are right, feeling the feelings is key. I am rooting for you too :) Thank you very much! Much support from CA!! 😀