Four Wins From Immortality

By John Jastremski

The buzz around New York City the past few weeks, but even more specifically the last week in particular has been off the charts. 

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am a very social guy. When I see somebody wearing my team’s gear, I usually have a comment for them when I am walking the streets of Brooklyn. 

That said, I have had a lot of people return the favor to me whenever I have been rocking my Knicks hat, quarter zip or hoodie. 

New York is usually a house divided when it comes to its sports teams. 

The Subway Series illustrates that beautifully when households are literally divided between Yankees and Mets fans alike. 

Our football teams, despite not playing each other on a yearly basis, present the same situation. 

You’re a Yankees fan or a Mets fan. A Giants fan or a Jets fan. 

Our city unites around the Knicks unlike any of our sports teams. 

The Knicks allow New York to capture the vibe of a Boston or a Philadelphia where that one team becomes the obsession of the city. 

This current edition of the Knicks has captured the imagination of the city. 

Old timers will tell you that there are similarities to the championship teams of the late 60s and early 70s. 

Children of the 1990’s will tell you this team has the sort of toughness and heart that was present throughout a whole lot of memorable playoff runs. 

With the city united as one, the Knicks get set for the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals who ironically enough were the last Finals opponent for the franchise back in 1999. 

Yes, I love the nostalgia of partying like it’s 1999, but there’s a major difference. 

Back in 1999, the Knicks did not stand much of a chance against the Tim Duncan and David Robinson led Spurs. 

This series reminds me far more of the 1994 Finals with the Rockets. 

The Knicks are very live to win the series. 

They are playing as well as any team in the league, they’ve done some historical stuff in this insane 11 game playoff win streak and have as balanced a starting 5 as you’ll find in basketball. 

At the start of this postseason, I would have been quite content with the first Finals trip in 27 years. 

That said, New York City can taste that parade. 

They can smell the victory cigars, champagne and immortality that four more wins would bring. 

Will a united city get a taste of immortality? 

Or another cup of what if… 

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York on Spotify, Apple & YouTube after every Knicks Finals Game. You can watch me nightly on Honda Sports Nite following Mets Postgame on SNY.