Photo Information: The Knicks take on the Celtics at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 21, 2017. (Photo by Lauren Merola)
For the first time in a long time, it feels good to be a New York fan. By “New York,” I mean Knicks, Jets, Mets and Islanders – my teams as a Long Island native. As any sports fan knows, you can’t have two teams. I’m not a Giants and Jets fan. I’m not a Yankees and Mets fan. I’m a loyal loser. A true, die-hard Knicks fan. I walk into the Mecca (Madison Square Garden) sad, but proud.
Recently, these teams are teasing fans with the hopes of winning records, proper draft picks and All-Star selections. It’s no championship, but based on the track record of New York sports, every step in the right direction feels like a victory.
Let’s review some recent developments that pumped life back into the Empire State.
Mat Barzal scores the trickiest goal of all NHL season so far
At first in the eastern division (15-6), the Islanders are – and have been – the leaders of New York sports. The Isles made it to the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals in a bubbled COVID season, and they’ve only had more time to play together and better one another since. Center Mat Barzal’s Sabres-defender-wreckage turned between-the-leg goal on Saturday epitomized just how fun it is to root for the orange and blue. With depth of talent on the roster, this could be the team to end New York’s 10-year championship drought since the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2011.
Julius Randle is an All-Star
New coach Tom Thibodeau walked into MSG and turned the Knicks culture into a winning one with Randle at the helm. Averaging 23.2 PPG, 11.1 RPG and 5.5 APG on 36.7 minutes a game, the Knicks forward cemented himself as the team leader. Now, he’s an All-Star too. The first Knick to be named to the All-Star team since Carmelo Anthony in 2014-15. Against the Pistons Thursday, Randle scored 27 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and added seven assists, giving NY the winning edge (19-18) going into the All-Star break, which leads to my next point:
The Knicks broke EVEN
Sure, breaching .500 would be a disappointment for any of LeBron’s teams ever, but the last of the Knicks’ winning campaigns was the 2012-2013 season when they went 54-28 under head coach Mike Woodson. Melo still suited up in orange and blue then, that’s how long it’s been, so don’t come after New York fans for hyping up a winning record, especially from a young team built through the draft.
Gang Green has a plethora of draft picks
And I have the trust in Joe Douglas to use all five of them wisely. The Jets have the second-overall and 23rd-overall picks, one second-rounder and two third-rounders.
The Sam Darnold-quarterback conundrum is at the forefront of New Yorkers minds’, even though the Jets need a whole half an offense – o-lineman, running back, wide receiver – and an edge rusher and corner on defense. Douglas can draft BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the second-overall pick, use the pick as leverage in a trade for another player or draft pick or use it to fill in the gaps (cough cough, Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell).
Even though Douglas' first draft was in 2020 – because he was hired in June 2019, after the team’s free agency and draft period – his lone draft shows promise and a high NFL IQ. Douglas' picks delivered in the 2020 season, with eleventh-overall pick OT Mekhi Becton coming in as an immediate impact player at starting left tackle. The 6’7”, 363-pounder dominates at the point of attack, overwhelming opposing defenders with his quick hands and ridiculous strength. There’s also WR Denzel Mims, who Douglas picked up after trading eleven spots down (from 48 to 59) and picking up an extra third rounder (101st, which he eventually traded for three more picks). Douglas drafted a promising receiver and added extra picks to the Jets’ board in the process.
I have my opinions about giving Darnold a fair shot with an able receiving corps and suitable protection, but, obviously, it’s not my decision. I've put my faith in Douglas' hands to pull some magic over on the Jets' draft come April, and I think he'll deliver.
When you're at rock bottom, the only place to go is up. That's where New York sports are going.
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