The New York Knicks won last night, and predicably, NYC went nuts. Greg Pak has some great pics and videos from what was going on, and it’s been so much fun to see. Social media is flooded with images of a city partying and celebrating together – people from all walks of life, every age, making memories. This is a great addition to all of the fun that visitors to the US are having right now in the World Cup cities. It goes to show that sports at its best still brings people together.
Imagine, for just a second, that it’s us. Obviously, the scale of the celebration will be smaller in Buffalo, but you can’t deny that this city is waiting for that party. You can see it, right? The city that dives through flaming tables on a regular-ass Sunday winning it all? Right now, the Bills have their best chance since the 90s of pulling it off – whatever you say about the coaching decisions, Josh Allen is still the quarterback. The Sabres just ended their season with a playoff run no one expected, breaking a drought and winning a series.
The Knicks took 53 years to win again after their last championship. They had championship-caliber teams and players at various points during that time and couldn’t finish (doesn’t help that a lot of those teams had to go through Larry Bird, and Magic, and Michael Jordan, and Kobe, etc.). But eventually it DID happen, and what a time they are having with it now.
These current teams might never get over the hump. Josh Allen may never get the right help and coaching at the right time. The Sabres may slip back down next season. What matters is enjoying the success while it’s happening. I keep coming back to it: “We can’t control the team on the ice or field, or what the media writes, but we are in charge of ourselves. Be happy. Have fun.” Show up, cheer until you lose your voice, high five a stranger. Chug beer from a plastic sabre, take a shot from a bowling ball. Most importantly, enjoy the ride. Maybe it ends before a trophy, but being in that mix is the best feeling a fan can have. Don’t lose sight of it.