Well, that was a kick in the stomach.
Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.
Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.
That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.
Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.
- Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.
- Tyrese Haliburton's "choke" gesture was annoying and cool at the same time. It's annoying because, yes, there is trauma (there is that word again) for the Knicks fanbase, but also because it carries some historical rivalry lineage. Coming off an era of "friendship basketball", this Playoffs (and parity) in the league was nice to see.
You know what was worse than breaking out that old gesture? Watching Reggie Miller sit at the announcing table and point at Haliburton in support like some cruel, evil boss.
- With that said, I despise the Indiana Pacers.
- One more thought on Knicks nemesis' - Trae Young's "rivalry" feels so incredibly forced.
- The biggest headscratcher and moment of panic came when Jalen Brunson tried to force a pass to OG Anunoby, which eventually became a turnover due to a replay challenge. Why didn't Brusnon pull the ball out and either run more clock? Or at the very least, Indiana would have to foul, securing a 5-point lead with an opportunity to increase it to seven. Also, forcing them to burn their last timeout?
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!!!!!!!!!
- It hurts even more to say this, but the Knicks deserved that loss. They outplayed Indiana for 45 minutes. Down the stretch, they did everything possible to give that game away.
- Aaron Nesmith's shotmaking was unreal. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that in the playoffs during an extended clutch time.
Absolutely, unreal.
- Did I say that I loathe the Indiana Pacers?
- The National coverage of this is going to be unbearable. Nights like this are NOT fun. It's the kind of night where I want to disconnect from sports and mentally go on an island. I'm likely shutting everything off until Game 2. I just can't.
- But hey! My guy, Jasson Dominguez hit a walk-off home run for the Yankees tonight. Yeahhhh, no, doesn't cure it.
- Ughh...I very much dislike the Indiana Pacers.
- It's very clear, we're going to have to exercise some previous demons to get to the NBA Finals.
Signing off - from everything - until Game 2.