Skip to main content

Having That "Garden Game"


As a Knicks fan, it's hard to really appreciate those "Garden Games and moments" that visiting players have when they come into our house. Over the years, I've seen so many, from Jordan's double-nickel game, LeBron's almost triple double during dream week, Kobe setting a new building record with 61 points, and oh yeah, watching Reggie Miller score 9 points in 8 seconds. 

I know...it happens. And honestly, I hate it. I despise it. Because, as a Knick-lifer, my team is always on the other end of it, and it makes it really tough for me to enjoy the performance.

Over the past few years, especially during the nightmarish Isiah years, it happened too much. After taking a break from playing second-fiddle to what felt like touring shows that came into the famous building on 34th and seventh avenue, Steph Currry happened tonight.

Of the many years of watching MJ, LeBron, Kobe, and Reggie destroy us, thus having their "Garden Games", tonight's effort by Steph Curry, even for a few moments, caused me to suspend my growing case of agita, and simply laugh in disbelief of what was going on. 

At one point, I simply heard Alicia Keys' voice ringing in my ear...

"This dude is onn fiiiiiiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" 

Curry was launching shots the way some would in a videogame by mistakenly tapping the shoot button, and was STILL sinking them. One after the other. Fast break pull ups. Spot jumpers. Shot clock buzzer beaters. Loose ball throw ups. Everything was falling through the cylinder  EVERYTHING. I literally was just waiting for Curry to turn and do his imitation of Jordan's shoulder shrug. 

I've had my experiences of being in the zone on a basketball court where the rim looks like a backyard pool, but this performance was just unbelievable. Too unbelievable. One that I can't even imagine how it must feel to be in his shoes during the game. And once again, this coming from a Knicks fan that endured Jordan's MSG wrath. 

Ugh...that double nickel game

Sure Carmelo finished with 35 points and 8 assists, Tyson Chandler with a man-among-boys-stat of 28 rebounds, and after being lit up like a Christmas tree by a super powered Steph Curry, Raymond Felton came up with three huge plays, but the story was number thirty for the Warriors and his terrific performance. 

Just like the millions who dream of it, the hundreds who imagine it, and the handful who have lived it, tonight, Madison Square Garden brought out the best in a talent who had his "Garden Game". 

Except his team loss. 

And that's the type of Garden Games I'll take. Every. Single. Time. 
Labels:

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?
Read more

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

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"...
Read more

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...
Read more