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shakespeare · 09-10-2007, 08:56 AM

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Listen To The Moans
By Donald Christopher

September 9, 2007

Misery loves company. The suffering always seek companionship.

Disgruntled Knicks fans are dwelling in their misery.
That's just the way it is. Show me an unhappy human being and I will show you someone more than willing to drown you in their sorrow. Sad people absolutely hate to see others filled with the joy that life brings. Every morning, these individuals awake to find an even better way to corrupt each and every form of witnessed enthusiasm.

Don't believe me?

Listen to the moans.

Take beleaguered New York Knicks fans, for example.

Last year, the Knicks won a total of 33 games. Hardly anything for fans of such a celebrated franchise to write home about, but nevertheless the amount of victories was 10 wins better in the W column than the prior 23-59 showing. At one point during their 33-49 campaign, the team was in the hunt for a playoff berth. Due to a string of season-ending injuries to key players David Lee, Quentin Richardson, and Jamal Crawford, the ballclub could not sustain its surprising march. Regardless of the what-ifs and yet another missed postseason, last season distinctively offered unbiased improvement for the Knicks.

For an organization once seemingly headed backwards, the conscious act of forward progress is undeniably being made.

In his never-ending effort to continue the climb, team president Isiah Thomas added proven frontcourt stud Zach Randolph to the mix in the 2007 draft day trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Thomas also built on his adept reputation for solid draft choices by walking away with underrated Wilson Chandler and heralded shooter Demetris Nichols. Impressively, the Knicks united a proven double-double guy and two talented young players to their already chance roster. In the process, Thomas rid the team of "Mr. Softee" Channing Frye and an overpaid and misplaced Steve Francis.

Despite these progressive developments, a large number of Knicks fans would rather sit around and deliberately dwell on the negative rather than meaningfully honor the positive.

Why?

Why do we, as Knicks fans, pay more attention to discouragement rather than encouragement? It's always the same -- the team sucks, they play horrible defense, and they will not so much as sniff the playoffs. These are fashioned laments which are aided and abetted by a hypocritical media who will lead you to believe there is no earthly reason why a professional basketball franchise should even exist in the city of New York.

Internet message boards frequently become targets for the moaners. Probably because people who suffer from apathy usually want others to feel helpless. Unfortunately, their sole Knick goal is to disrupt any optimistic conversation that hints of there being a shining light at the end of the dark and lonely tunnel in which these moaners mentally live. They log in under the cloak of complete distress with contemptible frowns situated upon their gloomy faces always in search of any forum member they can corrupt. You know who you are. The ones who stop at nothing to create a vile atmosphere -- sometimes provoking demoralized thought through created thread topics such as: "STEPHON MARBURY HAS MORE MILEAGE THAN TYRA BANKS" or, my favorite, "THE WORLD IS ABOUT TO END AND HERE YOU ARE WATCHING THE PATHETIC KNICKS."

Typing every word in capital letters gives a much louder and authoritative voice.

Regardless of pleas to stop the shouting, moaners initiate dialog primarily aimed to steal joy. They then lay back in their desk chair, wait a few seconds, before continuously clicking the refresh on their web browser anxiously waiting to pounce on the first poster who, knowingly or unknowingly, took their bait. Upon notice of a bite, they recklessly sit up in their chair with an excitement and force so tremendous that you would figure they'd receive a whiplash or something.

It is an addicting behavior. Even more so than the Internet itself.

These pessimist crybabies get particularly vicious with happy-go-lucky Knickerbocker loving new posters, or commonly known as "fresh meat," around the site. Upon the newbie, these moaners unleash a tirade so stealth that it would probably have the United States government wondering how advanced their military technology really is. Not only that, but the moaners act as if their stern line of defense cannot be penetrated by mere optimism.

In the aftermath of a drawn out and heated debate with a familiar forum member -- one who, at an earlier time, may have failed to become corrupted, the moaners read the individual's post non-stop hoping to find the tiniest opening for revenge debate. They mentally gather punch lines to better counter punch the ones who they somehow feel are now arch-rivals. Like an anxious mongoose scoping a cobra, waiting for the precise moment to attack, the moaners clearly seek vindication.

It is deep. Trust me, you cannot make this stuff up.

Then, inevitably, when the optimist Knick fan lightheartedly explains how there is an untelevised revolution taking place, the moaners will counter with their opinion that certain fans need to take off the rose-colored glasses or those with covered ears only try to silence disagreement. "No," we wittingly respond, "We are simply tired of your scribbles on the wall."

Actually, I sympathize with the moaners and their cries for help. In a compassionate way, I feel sympathy for Knicks fans who are unable to find inspiration from failed hope. You know, the fans who haven't recovered from the day former GM Scott Layden traded Latrell Sprewell -- a deal which seemed to light a match to their once high-octane orange and blue spirit. A lot of disappointing and stressful things took place. I know. But my advice to the moaners is to remain strong. Live on. Open your scarred minds to the realization that a change has come. At least the team is headed in the right direction. It does not happen overnight. Like you, I would also love to see the Knicks win an NBA title, but at the same time, the critical advancements should also be embraced.

The truth -- which I have seemed to be on a mission for -- is that, barring some unforeseen ending of the world, the New York Knicks have launched and appear in search of a higher destination. The franchise may not have enough petroleum in the tank to make it to the moon, but around the time the gas light pops on, the Knicks will be somewhere amongst the stars. Do not wait until that bandwagon moment to recognize how far the team has come. You will be absent of the virtue in the team's struggle. Barring Armageddon, next season, the Knicks shall experience more wins than losses, and, at the conclusion of the regular season, there will be playoff games played at Madison Square Garden. No, I cannot foresee into the hidden future, but as a Barry Bonds critic would say, "I just have a hunch."

Yes, the moans are many, and they are loud. Knicks fans are suffering. Have some remorse. If we listen carefully, we might hear protected pleas for help coming from die-hard Knicks fans who, due to years of disconcerting and depressing seasons, are unable to show once-known enthusiasm for their favorite NBA team. They want to know how it feels to love again, but they are hopelessly afraid. Instead of showing pride in crawls replaced by tiny steps, the moaners choose to offer the same repeated complaints. Day after day, after day, after day. At times, it is hard to believe they hold passion for the team. But they do. The problem is, the moaners are frightened the Knicks will end up breaking their hearts all over again so they overly protect their feelings. Call it the Battered Knick Fan Syndrome. If you wonder why they refuse to end the traumatic relationship and escape the abuse, the answer is simple -- similar to thoughts of a person addicted to cigarettes -- you cannot live with 'em, cannot live without 'em.

Perceptively, the moaners are stuck somewhere between VH1's reality TV shows Flavor of Love and I Love New York -- a scenario too apprehending to turn away from, yet too unattractive to offer commitment.

Once the the opportunity knocks for the moaners to unconditionally receive the Knicks, perhaps they will walk through the door, pick up the remote, and tune in to witness the team's first playoff game in four years. Hopefully, the experience will not be terrifying for those who failed to find applaud in the the team's progression. If the moaners are able to stop their feeling of despair, there is a slight chance they would notice the cloud of basketball despair which hangs over the franchise slowly allowing sunlight to enter.

Upon opening tipoff, I am sure there will be plenty of tears falling from the eyes of the moaners.

Give 'em a hug.

Don't know who these people are?

Listen to the moans.

Interesting read.

alphaorange · 09-10-2007, 10:23 AM

Most of the fans have real reasons and questions. Progress? Undeniably, but at what pace and at what cost? I think we, as fans, had a right to expect more than 33 wins since 23 was lower than it should have been. Moaner? Nope, just a guy that questions some of the moves IT makes.

**Da Grinch** · 09-10-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaorange

Most of the fans have real reasons and questions. Progress? Undeniably, but at what pace and at what cost? I think we, as fans, had a right to expect more than 33 wins since 23 was lower than it should have been. Moaner? Nope, just a guy that questions some of the moves IT makes.

I dont think he's talking about the reasonable fans ,he's talking about the "other fans" I think we've all seen them before .

"they are all bums"

after a player has a legitamitely great game , they'll pick out some stupid play they made in the 2nd quarter that ultimately meant nothing because the knicks actually won the game.

basically the type that cant enjoy the team unless something goes wrong.

I think there is nothing wrong with expectations but some take it too far.

ChosenFEW · 09-10-2007, 07:21 PM

what are people going to say about Isiah when the knicks win 40+ games next season......

dammmmmmm i know i just jinxed us.....i couldnt help it.....basketball is almost here again!...

about 30 days until preseason

**Da Grinch** · 09-10-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChosenFEW

what are people going to say about Isiah when the knicks win 40+ games next season......

dammmmmmm i know i just jinxed us.....i couldnt help it.....basketball is almost here again!...

about 30 days until preseason

its ok i am already predicting 47 wins.

**USSKittyHawk** · 09-10-2007, 08:43 PM

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Originally Posted by Da Grinch

its ok i am already predicting 47 wins.

Now we are officially screwed because you picked us to win 47 games, damn Grinch stay humble!

**Da Grinch** · 09-10-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USSKittyHawk

Now we are officially screwed because you picked us to win 47 games, damn Grinch stay humble!

I got my reasons .

1. i think they are going to make a big jump in consistency with Zach as a guy to count on for offense....teams could really attack Curry at times because the 4 on the floor with him allowed them to but being offensively passive, that wont happen much this year and zach has proven he needs a double team or he just keeps scoring.

2. most of the team's core has been together for 3 years now , , they genuinely like each other and should have a decent amount of chemistry this season finally returning most of their players and having the same coach again.

3. they are a top 10 offensive team in the league probably top 5 now , they were top 10 last year until the injuries killed them and took out their best 2, 3, and 4 and a little later marbury got hurt too and they finished 17th overall. I think they will finish well within the top 10 this year ...and over the past 11 years 100 out of a possible 110 teams that finished in the top 10 on offense went to the playoffs, 9 of those 10 teams that didn't make it were decidedly outside shooting teams ( the only inside team that didn't however was a blazer team led by Zach randolph incedently about 4 or so years ago ....I'm going to blame the team's overwhelming issues for the meltdown, that and sheed wallace being forced to play small forward on that team).

4. with zach instead of frye they are sure to be a top 3 rebounding team in the league ( they finished 6th last season) they may not make you miss , but if you do miss you aren't getting the ball back .

basically i believe if you are really good at offense or defense you will get to the playoffs ...but being good at both is how you advance, I think at this time the knicks are too deep offensively and too potent close to the basket to be kept out and get a decent seed in the process.

alphaorange · 09-11-2007, 06:45 AM

I agree with you. They might even hit 50. This team is loaded from a talent perspective. Now the biggest question is can IT make them play together and play hard on both ends. If the answer is yes to both, I expect BIG things from them. He will also have to be a master at managing personnel. Injuries are the wild card.

**Da Grinch** · 09-11-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaorange

I agree with you. They might even hit 50. This team is loaded from a talent perspective. Now the biggest question is can IT make them play together and play hard on both ends. If the answer is yes to both, I expect BIG things from them. He will also have to be a master at managing personnel. Injuries are the wild card.

i truthfully think the team`s model for success are the jazz a team without dominant interior defenders ,boozer and okur are as bad getting blocks as curry and zach are ...they have ak-47 ,to me balkman may be as good this season. if they canwin 50 in the west the knicks can win at least close to that in the east.

both teams are defensively challenged post oriented units who are great rebounding the ball.

shakespeare · 09-12-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da Grinch

i truthfully think the team`s model for success are the jazz a team without dominant interior defenders ,boozer and okur are as bad getting blocks as curry and zach are ...they have ak-47 ,to me balkman may be as good this season. if they canwin 50 in the west the knicks can win at least close to that in the east.

both teams are defensively challenged post oriented units who are great rebounding the ball.

If the team can get a good coaching effort from Isiah Thomas, and him likewise get a good defensive effort from the team, I don't think its too far fetch to believe New York could win 50 games. But realistically, I think 40-43 wins is where our fortunes lie.

da1nonly · 09-14-2007, 04:42 PM

I believe that if the Knicks get as many passes (not assists, just passes) as shots taken every game, they'll be 45+ wins

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