05/31/13 tulsa shock vs ny liberty at prudential center newark nj neil miller liberty lead 37-29 at the half james dolan at the game tonite
ROBBINS NEST
By Lenn Robbins
Basketball is back.
Never have those three words been more joyous to write.
Basketball is back.
The NBA approved a resumption of the season with a target date of July 31st. The NBA Players Association is scheduled to approve the restart plan during a virtual conference call on Friday morning according to published reports.
July 31st!
Since March 11th, the day the coronavirus forced the most harrowing league-clock violation in NBA history, we have been left with replays, Top 10 lists and the Michael Jordan biopic, “The Last Dance.”
Sadly, today is not a joyful one for Knicks fans, but then again, most days during the NBA season are lacking in positive experience. The Knicks, along with the Hawks, Cavs, Warriors, Timberwolves, Pistons, Bulls and Hornets, will not resume play under the 22-team format.
Those teams comprise the Golfer’s Bracket. Steph Curry can start practicing with Phil Mickelson now.
The draft lottery will be held August 25th and the draft itself on October 15th according to published reports. Knicks fans can remain in quarantine and not risk missing anything. Yes, even on a day of good news, it’s hard to be a Knicks fan.
There is a lot of to be done before we can embrace returning to The Garden, with masks on our faces instead of bags over our heads
A coach needs to be found. A logical and realistic rebuilding plan needs to be implemented. James Dolan, the owner who didn’t see the value of making a statement on the most recent senseless murder of a black man, should remain in a silent vacuum.
The first order of business for Knicks fans should be to find which horse to back in the playoffs, an annual rite. I’m going with the Trail Blazers. It would be epic to see Rip City celebrate, Damian Lillard has been working on a four-point shot, and maybe Weber State will reproduce his No.1 jersey.
These are as good reasons to pick a winner as any in a season that will play out like no other.
If Giannis wins MVP, was it because LeBron didn’t have enough time to close the season on some mortal-defying run before he turns 36 or will the Greek Freak rise to new heights?
Can the Raptors, arguably the most dismissed NBA champion since the 1975 Golden State Warriors, repeat? If they do, will be considered a tainted repeat, which is ridiculous.
Will we get to see to the Lakers and Clippers do battle? Should Nets fans stick to NBA 2K and enjoy a fantasy in which Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are healthy?
Zion Williamson! Good Lord, we get to see the sneaker-ripping manchild play when he’s not answering questions about how he got all his sneakers to go to Duke. Wonder if RJ Barrett will be pulled into this investigation? Of course, he will. He plays for the Knicks.
Will any player still need load management?
Ah! Basketball is back.
Never have those three words been more joyful to write. Unless of course you bleed orange and blue and your psyche is black and blue. Then today is sad day. And July 31st will be worse.
