Dave Fizdale: “I Commend Knicks’ Fans”

The New York Knicks avoided tying one of the worst records in the entire NBA history. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs last night, and snapped an 18-game losing streak at home.

Knicks needed one more defeat to level with the Dallas Mavericks, who had the longest drought at home, back in 1993-94 season.

A 130-118 victory over the struggling Spurs was that big of news, that even Samuel L. Jackson had to mention it at the Oscar awards ceremony.

After a long time, the fans at Madison Square Garden went home with smiles on their face. And according to coach Dave Fizdale, they deserved it, because of their unconditional support throughout the whole season, even though the team didn’t earn it.

“In general, they have been so supportive,” Fizdale said. “You know, even at our losses the amount of support, that I’ve been getting and the team’s been getting has been phenomenal.”

Fizdale and his boys are the second-worst teams in the league and the last in the Eastern Conference. A win against San Antonio was only their 12th of the season along with 48 defeats.

For any fan that is surely frustrating, but the Knicks’ fans have plenty of patience right now. Unlike in some previous years when they had unrealistic expectations, the whole basketball community in the Big Apple is standing behind the franchise, and tries to help in the best possible way they can.

And that is something the entire organization recognizes.

“No one wants to lose, and go through a losing season,” Knicks’ coach started, ” but understanding where we are, and what we’re trying to accomplish, I just really commend our fans for how they’ve been, you know, really standing behind us.”

The Knicks are playing for the future here. The franchise is in the rebuilding process, and they are clearing the ground to set new foundations for what might be a super team in the near future.

Trading Kristaps Porzingis, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is opening the possibility of having two max slot contracts next season. The free-agency this summer is going to be wild, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see a whole new NBA at the start of the next season. With all the high-profile players in option, New York is trying to position themselves as one of the most tempting landings spots for all the potential targets.

The @nyknicks showed out at MSG last night! 👀

DSJ: 19 PTS, 13 AST
Kevin Knox: 19 PTS, 10 REB
Emmanuel Mudiay: 19 PTS
Mitchell Robinson: 15 PTS, 14 REB#NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/Gfw1opPg0m

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 25, 2019

The fans base knows that, which is why they decided to participate in the recruitment of some players.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant already received a warm welcome at Madison. These two are currently the biggest favorites for those two max contracts we mentioned above. Both of them don’t want to talk about that while the season still lasts, but there is no doubt that Garden’s calling is tempting.

Zion Williamson already stated that he would like to play in New York. Now, when one of the best draft prospects in the last decade says something like that, you are automatically more attractive for other players.

Adding that Knicks have realistic chances of reaching that first spot in this year’s draft, only spices up things.

That is why the fans in New York want to back up these guys because they are doing dirty work, so that next year things look totally different than now. Some of them might not be here, but that is business in the NBA.

Knick will have a chance to improve their record already tomorrow when Orlando Magic arrives in NY. An even better opportunity comes on Thursday. Equally bad Cleveland Cavaliers visit Madison Square Garden, and if everything goes well, the Knicks might jump over them in the standings.