ONE STEP CLOSER

BY MARK HALPERN

     If you are expecting an article having to do with stats then this isn’t for you. The New York Knicks improved exceptionally this season as they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals only to be sent packing by the same team who ended their playoff run last season, the Indiana Pacers. 

   After the Knicks eliminated the Celtics, which became easier after the Tatum injury (hopefully he recovers) in the second round and poised to keep this magical run alive heading into the Eastern Conference Finals. The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks don’t really have that much love for each other as the teams has been in more memorable history than any other team that has played against the Knicks including the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls. When these two teams play whether it is in the regular season or playoffs something historical is probably going to happen.

   There have been many moments but I want to focus on two. Back in 1994, Reggie Miller went on one of the craziest runs in the fourth quarter scoring 25pts during that quarter. After leading the Pacers to an unbelievable comeback Miller turned to long life Knicks fan and put up the “choke symbol” to him saying the Knicks blew it. IN the first game of this ECF the Knicks led by double digits and the Pacers did their thing with hitting several threes in the waning the final minutes upsetting the Knicks once again and Tyrese Haliburton turned to Spike Lee and did the same thing that Miller di by symbolizing the Knicks choked again.

    In 1999 with 11.2 seconds left in the game and the Knicks trailing by three you couldn’t find a Knick who wasn’t by the 3 pt line. The ball was inbounded and moved around and finally was in the hands of Larry “Grandmama” Johnson and he made a turnaround three to tie the game but, he was also fouled and gave the Knicks a 4-point play to win ad very competitive game that went down to the final seconds yet again to these two teams.

   Yes, there are more like Miller’s 9 points in 8 seconds, to the John Starks head butt, Ewing blocking a miller three at the end of a game and so many more. I chose these two the first one for the fact history plays a huge factor and I was there during the 8 seconds and I was there for the Larry Johnson play. Whether you knew the person next to you or not we were hugging high fiving it didn’t matter because we are all New Yorkers. 

    This was tough to swallow but the Knicks didn’t regress in their play. They got better and made one step closer to the finals. The Knicks need help off the Bench. The biggest loss from last season was not keeping Donte DiVincenzo who was clearly their biggest threat not only from the 3pt line but a great passer and team player. I hope somehow, we can get him back but, that’s just me.      In conclusion I am truly excited for next season as the Knicks keep progressing to the next stop THE NBA FINALS.