MOMENTS

There are moments that transcend time; they unfold and then live forever in the collective memory in the people of the place. 

May 8, 1970 was such a day, when Willis Reed, the center and heart of the first Knicks team to win a championship limped on to the court in game seven at Madison Square Garden and scored the first four points. From our black and white TV, picking up the game on the rabbit ears antenna, we could hear the Garden explode, creating echoes that we can still hear if we listen closely when we catch a Knicks game in NYC. 

This week was another moment that transcended time. From OG Anunoby soaring above everyone in the final seconds to tip in the game 4 winner, to The Captain Jalen Brunson lighting up every fourth quarter, taking over the game, and bringing the first basketball championship to NYC in 53 years, a moment his father- a former Knicks player and now coach whispered to him about doing as his son signed with the Knicks.  

Every borough, if not almost every street corner erupted in the kind of delirious and resplendent joy that only a fan can understand. 

 

They watched from Central Park, inside the Garden, from streets blocked off in Harlem and Bushwick and The Village, and around bodegas. Quintessential New Yorkers celebrating a unique moment in time.  

 And then there is this. 

The Knicks second championship banner hanging in the Garden celebrates the 1973 championship team led by Earl The Pearl Monroe, whose nickname barely captures the poetic way he led his team as a magical point guard- magical before there was a player named Magic. 

There are three banners (and soon to be fourth) hanging in the Garden. The 1970 Championship Banner; the 1973 Championship Banner and a third banner next to the 1973 Banner honoring their great Coach Red Holzman, who coached the team to their first two championships. The Holzman banner celebrates his 613 wins. 

The Knicks won their third championship on June 13, or as it is written 6/13. 

Thank you Coach Holzman. Still showing his team the way. 

KNICKS IN FIVE

KNICKS IN SIX AND OTHER THINGS

 The NBA finals start tonight. Our team- the Knicks face off against the current best player in the NBA and one who is going to re-write the NBA record books- Victor Wembanyama: The 7'4 Shaolin Monk trained, Washington Square Park-chess-playing-center who can bring the ball up the court like he's 6'2 and stop and pop the three. We have seen Bill Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, and others, and we have never seen a player like Webby. 

Webby at a Shaolin Temple

But the Knicks have our heart. They always have since we sat and watched (on a black and white TV) Willis Reed a/k/a The Captain limp out for game seven at the Garden (after being benched in LA in game five after injuring his knee and missing game 6) in May 1970, score the first two baskets and lead his team and a crazed Garden to the Knicks first championship. Reed's entrance and performance in game 7 may just be the most heroic moment in sports we have ever witnessed (even surpassing Lebron getting out of a limo in front of the Miami Arena).  When Earl the Pearl Monroe dazzled the league and got them another in 73, it was just the cherry🌸 on the Sundae. More would surely follow... 

And yet here we are more than 50 years later waiting for our 3rd. And during that time (Heat "fans" take note) the Garden was packed. Every game, every year. NY has fans, not front running phonies. 

Take a read of Spike Lee's failing NY Times OP ED today and get a glimmer of what this team means to the City. 

What else is going on? 

The Straits of Hormuz, like the first-floor cafeteria at REGJB remains closed cerrado.  You might catch us one last time in June on the 7th floor sneaking our fav REGJB morning snack- corned beef hash, grits, cuban toast, and a cafecito- not healthy- but indulgent and satisfying. 

Every day it seems we see a headline like "Supreme Court clears way for state to ban voters of color". 

Have you followed the CBS 60 Minutes Scott Pelley drama? He basically told the new head honcho of 60 Minutes to F off in a show meeting, and got fired Tuesday as a result. Here's a good read on the tea including the "you're fired" letter. 

Count us on Team Scott. 

Failing NY Times readers voted Bruce Sprinsteen the third best living song writer of all time in the Times review of the top 100. Dylan was first - can't argue with that; Paul Simon second- the Boss should be above him. You-know-who-Swift barely squeaked into the top ten (7), The article is here.

Have you followed our advice and made a small fortune in the market? It has been running crazy and did you see what Jensen (Nvidia) did for Marvel yesterday? Unbelievable for a stock we started acquiring at 25 a few years ago. 

Knicks in Six.