"But cities endure. They endure because the people who are there are there for the other people...(Cities) know they will outlast so much of what surrounds them, because (cities) have what nations can only envy: people who do not need a flag or a song or a recited pledge to feel they have need for each other."
For Democracy to endure, we must resist the authoritarianism of the MAGA gangsters & grifters: Bring on a Blue Tsunami. #VoteBlue!
Yes, and NYC is about the grit to never give up that the Knicks showed.
And, as one of the ESPN commentator said on Saturday night, NYC is a city of not enough space for a football field or a baseball field or a soccer field. I'd add, too, not enough room or money for the equipment heavy sports. All you need is a ball (borrowed, shared or yours) and a playground with a hoop and anyone can play. So, the Knicks' victory is a victory for anyone, for NYC, for New Yorkers and all the rest who made something out of nothing - - insisted on it, despite...
The celebration is a catharsis for a weary people in a wearing time. Whew, finally, something to release that pent up joy for - -to smile for, to root for, to scream for, to be happy for.
Thank you Knicks, for reminding us what it means to be a human -- not just in pursuit, but finding happiness.
I'm a native San Franciscan and found myself rooting for the Knicks like my life depended on it. Some of my family were pulling for the Spurs (after all we love Popovich who mentored Steve Kerr of our beloved Warriors, the Popovich who also loves San Francisco). Reflecting on why the Knicks, I concluded that it was the under doggedness of it all. Brunson's David to Wembenyama's Goliath (and there's no doubt Wembie is a GOAT in the making), and the coastal urban connection to NYC and what all that means. And of course, the Knicks, like the Dubs, were ripe for a championship after a decades long drought. Your essay nails it. What a glorious series. Congratulations, New York!
For me the Knicks win was a good omen, a sign that we shall defeat this Trump/MAGA attack on our Constitution and our Democracy. Your essay fired a lot of inspiration and motivation for the underdogs of the world to keep fighting for good causes, righteous reasons and humanitarian resolutions. Thank you.
A wonderful essay, Anand! I am a long- suffering Knicks fan, back to the days even before the 1979 and 73 championships. Welcome. I had an idea last night that you may like as I thought back to the Miracle Mets of 1969:
“If the Mets can win the World Series, the United States can get out of Vietnam.”
Here in Los Angeles, my equally sports-impaired friends and I have been elated about the Knicks. Thank you for explaining why. Your joy has bounced clear over to this coast.
I am cheering for the Knicks' New York. I am visiting rural Virginia, where people don't talk to strangers. It made me go up to a scowling, young, white guy with a sunburn and an older Middle Eastern woman and shout "hi!" as I got into the public whirlpool.
I did it because that's what New Yorkers do: it's how we roll.
And what you are describing, Anand, I think is community. And community is one of the things that will get us past and over under and to the other side of this time.
This is a beautiful essay. Perfectly encapsulates what it is to live here in NYC.
Absolutely beautiful. To me, New York has always been the home for anyone who doesn’t have a home elsewhere. Now more needed than ever
Thank you for this. Such beautiful writing, filled with truth and incandescence.
"But cities endure. They endure because the people who are there are there for the other people...(Cities) know they will outlast so much of what surrounds them, because (cities) have what nations can only envy: people who do not need a flag or a song or a recited pledge to feel they have need for each other."
For Democracy to endure, we must resist the authoritarianism of the MAGA gangsters & grifters: Bring on a Blue Tsunami. #VoteBlue!
Superb essay. The thousands who booed Trump at game four in the Garden said it all.
Yes, and NYC is about the grit to never give up that the Knicks showed.
And, as one of the ESPN commentator said on Saturday night, NYC is a city of not enough space for a football field or a baseball field or a soccer field. I'd add, too, not enough room or money for the equipment heavy sports. All you need is a ball (borrowed, shared or yours) and a playground with a hoop and anyone can play. So, the Knicks' victory is a victory for anyone, for NYC, for New Yorkers and all the rest who made something out of nothing - - insisted on it, despite...
The celebration is a catharsis for a weary people in a wearing time. Whew, finally, something to release that pent up joy for - -to smile for, to root for, to scream for, to be happy for.
Thank you Knicks, for reminding us what it means to be a human -- not just in pursuit, but finding happiness.
I'm a native San Franciscan and found myself rooting for the Knicks like my life depended on it. Some of my family were pulling for the Spurs (after all we love Popovich who mentored Steve Kerr of our beloved Warriors, the Popovich who also loves San Francisco). Reflecting on why the Knicks, I concluded that it was the under doggedness of it all. Brunson's David to Wembenyama's Goliath (and there's no doubt Wembie is a GOAT in the making), and the coastal urban connection to NYC and what all that means. And of course, the Knicks, like the Dubs, were ripe for a championship after a decades long drought. Your essay nails it. What a glorious series. Congratulations, New York!
Brunson proved that there is still a place for old-fashioned grit and guts.
For me the Knicks win was a good omen, a sign that we shall defeat this Trump/MAGA attack on our Constitution and our Democracy. Your essay fired a lot of inspiration and motivation for the underdogs of the world to keep fighting for good causes, righteous reasons and humanitarian resolutions. Thank you.
A wonderful essay, Anand! I am a long- suffering Knicks fan, back to the days even before the 1979 and 73 championships. Welcome. I had an idea last night that you may like as I thought back to the Miracle Mets of 1969:
“If the Mets can win the World Series, the United States can get out of Vietnam.”
— Tom Seaver, 1969
“If the Knicks can win the NBA
Championship, the American
People can defeat Trumpism.”
— Knicks Nation , 2026
I’ll send you the meme via email.
Here in Los Angeles, my equally sports-impaired friends and I have been elated about the Knicks. Thank you for explaining why. Your joy has bounced clear over to this coast.
Fabulous essay- thank you!
I am cheering for the Knicks' New York. I am visiting rural Virginia, where people don't talk to strangers. It made me go up to a scowling, young, white guy with a sunburn and an older Middle Eastern woman and shout "hi!" as I got into the public whirlpool.
I did it because that's what New Yorkers do: it's how we roll.
A love letter to NYC.
And what you are describing, Anand, I think is community. And community is one of the things that will get us past and over under and to the other side of this time.
Anand am a Knickerbocker for Life 😜Born and Raised NYC Girl hopefully you took a picture of your son with the Orange and Blue Arms 🥰Priceless Moments
Yeah, good on New York. Nice piece Anand.