by Freeda Cathcart
NYC – Saturday, June 13th, New Yorkers gathered at watch parties across the city. It was a hot evening and many bars had large TVs outside. The city was on edge, hoping that the Knicks would finally win a NBA championship after 53 years.
The Knicks had a thirteen game winning streak when they lost the third game in the NBA final series. Many New Yorkers blamed the president for ruining their mojo. There were loud boos when they showed him saluting the flag during the national anthem before the start of the third game. Only people who have served in the military are supposed to salute. All others are supposed to place their hand over their heart. Later he fell asleep during the game.
The fourth game in the series was a nail biter with the Knicks making an historic 29 point rally to win in the final seconds. “Knicks in Five” started rippling through the city. Strangers passing each other would say, “Knicks in Five” to each other.
During game five a man in his thirties was cynical about if the Knicks would win game five. He thought the fix was “in” to drag out the series for more games because it was all about the money. As the Knicks fell behind, he took it as a sign that he was right.
When the Knicks started rallying again and closing the gap, suddenly the man’s attitude started to change from cynical to disbelief, then of wonderment. When the Knicks won, his wonderment transformed to exuberance as the entire city erupted in joy.
People poured into the streets. People were cheering and hugging each other. Fire Trucks pulled into a crowded street with their lights flashing and siren blaring. At first there was confusion if people needed to get out of the way, but then it became clear that there wasn’t an emergency. The firefighters were celebrating and people were climbing onto the firetruck to wave the American flag.
It was a great moment of unity. People who had never watched a NBA game or cared about sports were swept up in the magnitude of breaking a 53 year drought. All ages and ethnicities united in a feeling of hope and joy.
