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So, the New York Knicks are NBA Champions. Pain.
The past two weeks for me as a Brooklyn Nets fan have been exhausting. Everyday, I’ll be on Twitter or Instagram doomscrolling and seeing stuff about the Knicks winning the championship and how it brought everyone together. Seriously, there were people I know who don’t even watch the NBA who posted about the Knicks winning the Finals.
Even at work, I can’t go one second without a bunch of managers laughing at my face because the Knicks won the title.
Then, I read about the Nets and yikes. I’ve seen everything from people calling them "irrelevant," to telling them to relocate, to telling them that no one in the area will ever choose them as their NBA team now.
I had to listen to Stephen A. Smith, Bill Simmons and Adam Schein criticize the Nets and at this point, it’s beyond annoying. When I watched Schein’s video suggesting the Nets should cease operations after not taking Darius Acuff Jr. in the NBA Draft, I was not a happy camper.
Right now, seeing my least favorite team in the league win it all is painful. Seeing everyone laugh at the Nets for taking Mikel Brown Jr. is awful. My life as a Nets fan is depressing.
Mentally, reading all of these negative messages that are directed at the team is getting to me and it shouldn’t. Am I at fault for some of the decisions general manager Sean Marks has made over the past few years? Of course not because I’m not in charge, nor do I work for the organization.
I think this championship is more personal for me because I’ve never liked the Knicks. Growing up, everyone in school was a Knicks fan for the most part, despite them being in one of their worst eras as a franchise. I also knew a kid who was a Milwaukee Bucks fan like huh?
There weren't many people who I could talk about the Nets with and it sucked. Off the top of my head, there was one guy who was and he was actually a diehard fan like myself.
Throughout the Finals, the one thing that was on my mind was the new fans. Would anyone become a Nets fan if the Knicks won it all? At this point, probably not.
In this area, people are either a Giants or Jets fan for the NFL, a Yankees or Mets fan for the MLB, and a Devils, Rangers or Islanders fan for the NHL. But then, when it comes to the NBA, everyone is apparently a Knicks fan.
“wHo CAres aBOUt the NEtS?” This statement is really dumb by the way.
Going to this year’s NBA Draft now, the reaction to Brown being picked sixth overall instead of Acuff is strange. There’s been mixed reactions regarding the selection and all the negative thoughts have come from Knicks fans.
I get it, Acuff was phenomenal at Arkansas. That doesn’t mean he’ll necessarily pan out in the league.
Truthfully, I watched more of Acuff than I did Brown so I know more about his play style. But, why do these personalities have to overreact like the Nets just killed someone? I’m also aware of the Nets’ drafting history so I can understand the frustration of some with this pick.
The health of the fandom is at an all-time low and the outrageous takes from some are getting out of hand. However, I do feel like better days are ahead for this team.
Earlier in the week, the Nets received Julius Randle and the 28th pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Chicago Bulls were also included to make it a three-team trade as the Nets traded longtime center Nic Claxton to the “Windy City” in the deal. The Nets eventually used that 28th pick on Iowa State forward, Joshua Jefferson.
Technically, with the Charlotte Hornets trading LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, it is essentially a four-team deal now. Keith Smith tweeted about some of the trade details on Thursday.
Despite the hate Randle has gotten from Knicks fans, and T-Wolves fans for his performance vs the San Antonio Spurs these past playoffs, he’s a good player. I thought the trade was not bad honestly and it could benefit the Nets moving forward.
Financially, they are in a really good spot and they have picks that they can trade to get better players to strengthen their roster. There were even reports surfacing Friday in regards to Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who the Nets may sign to bolster their frontcourt.
Unfortunately, no matter what this team does, anyone with a voice will bash them. That to me is the sad part. Instead of remaining patient, people on social media or on TV will just criticize whatever the team does.
It’s a sad reality for Nets fans who just want to see this team succeed. There are Nets fans who exist and are passionate about this team like myself. But, everything negative being said about this team right now is demoralizing.
Again, better days are ahead and I truly believe that.