I'm a Knick fan.

A big one.

They are the one team in professional sports that always captivated me growing up, despite year after year of mind-numbing mediocrity. The Yankees, meanwhile, winning four championships in five years dominated baseball. Don't get me wrong, it was a great run and I loved rooting for the pin stripes, but looking back it spoiled me. I expected 90+ wins, winning the division and a long run into October. It was too easy.

Being a Knick fan was the opposite. Known for the raw toughness and grit, during the 90's they always came too play. A true reflection of the people of New York City. Never having a superstar leader, instead a true understanding of each players individual role, the Knicks were a legit squad. They could never beat the Bulls, found ways to choke against the Pacers and the Rockets and Spurs were too much in the finals.

Something changed over the next decade. Countless poor decisions by the front office inevitably spread though the entire franchise like a cancer. Those in charge, led by the dynamic duo of GM/coach Isiah Thomas and owner James Dolan, made more bad decisions than Lindsey Lohan. Draft picks traded or wasted, ridiculous long term contracts handcuffed any offseason flexibility and team chemistry completely non-existent. A rotating door of the leagues leftovers or past their prime big names stunk up Madison Square Garden.

To name a few: Eddy Curry, Tracy McGrady, Steve Fransis, Allan Houston's contract, young Zach Randolph, Jerome James, Penny Hardaway.

The coulda woulda shoulda draft disasters: 2005 Channing Frye over Danny Granger; 2006 Ronaldo Balkman over Rajon Rondo; 2007 Wilson Chandler over Marc Gasol (that's an in hignsight note); 2008 Jordan Hill over Brandon Jennings.

Owners of professional sports teams often earn their wealth from business prior to purchasing a franchise, which means they don't have the same instict toward their new team as their previous successful ventures. Like the doctor that retires and opens his or her dream restaurant; it doesn't always work out as imagined. The knicks owner is the son of Cable Vision founder Charles Dolan, whose company is one the major televison providers throughout all of the five bouroughs. He understands numbers, money, and the "now" factor Manhattan pumps out. Not X's and O's. Simply put, James Dolan between 2001-2011, ruined the knicks.

In feburary of 2011 the Knicks made a move that changed the direction of the franchise. Dolan always looked for the show stopper and he got what he wanted via the 11-player trade that exchanged a crop of young talent for the services of Carmelo Anthony. He made sure this move happened. He wanted it. So much so that he went over the head of then coach Mike D'antoni (who made clear he was against the blockbuster trade). D'antoni, the offensive guru, wanted young, hungry players ready to play as a unit. Tthe boss craved a star to become the face of his team. 

The new knicks were born. 

Melo came in, he faced the NYC media, hype and fan criticism only to struggle in his new kingdom. Fans expected immediate results, especially in Gothem, but despite the headlines, the Knicks couldn't click. Knick nation watched the Denver Nuggets excel and Anthony chuck up wild shots and shake up the locker room. Ask Amar'e how the team gelled. It did not start the way it was supposed to.

But that was then, this is now.

Melo found it in him to adapt, adjust and most importantly LEAD a team of guys who had been waiting for him to harbor change within himself. He was traded to be the face of NYC, this aint the Denver Nuggets, he needed to learn that for himself. 

He led his team to the playoffs for the first time in XXXX years in 2012. Did they get rocked be the Miami Heat in 5 games, yes. No loyal fan will say otherwise, but we made it, we took a step forward. Finally. 2013 Continued on the same path.