I think after reading that … we can die in peace!

It’s a sentence that was unpronounceable a few months ago. A joke, which made no sense a year ago. A dream ? Yes too. A reality ? Definitely, now. With Boston’s loss to Cleveland tonight, the Knicks officially qualified for the 2021 Playoffs. New York is back in the playoffs.

There are moments in the life of a fan that cannot be forgotten. A title of champion, for example, for his frankness of heart. A player named MVP, after playing elbows for several months with a bunch of stars. The return to the Playoffs is also one of those immortal dates, especially when the fans in question have drooled over it in recent years. Without reaching the Kings drought, Knicks fans had taken the mug in previous seasons, and with good reason. Since 2013, the last playoff qualification for the New York franchise which ended in the semifinals against Paul George’s Pacers, there was more to cry than anything else. The irrational decision-making of James Dolan, the confusion with Spike Lee or Charles Oakley, the grotesque management of Phil Jackson, the faces which follow one another as well on the bench as in the offices,… To make it simple and precise, let’s say that to ridicule Everyday Knicks was to the NBA what cheese was to fondue: a fundamental element that could be counted on with your eyes closed. Mike Woodson, Jeff Hornacek, Kurt Rambis, Derek Fisher, Mike Miller or David Fizdale in the coaches box. Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Enes Kanter, Andrea Bargnani, Michael Beasley, Joakim Noah or Trey Burke in the players box. The faces may well pass, the attempts may well be linked, nothing helped. The Knicks continued to disappoint, and the slightest clearances quickly gave way to a succession of tornadoes and other internal hurricanes.

Then came this crazy NBA 2020-21 season.

This change of course, a little over a year ago, leaving room for Leon Rose at the head of the franchise. Thanks Steve Mills and Scott Perry, we’re going to change a couple of things behind the scenes if you don’t mind, and we’re keeping up to date. The sacrosanct March 2, 2020, date on which a first Rose will do the job before giving way to a second of the name a few months later. Then came the signing of Tom Thibodeau, on this July 30 of the year of grace 2020. A name full of connotations, positive as negative after exploits and galleys between Minnesota and Chicago. But a former New Yorker, who returned to the lands of his first ranges to launch the largest of projects: make the New York Knicks great again. Sorry Donald, this is New York. So the city which made its reputation in the 70s on its collective game, and in the 90s on its defense. The rest, we did not know it but it will transport the basketball world for several months. The Knicks will have a sensational 2020-21 regular without giving up once. Behind the assaults of Immanuel Quickley, the counters of Nerlens Noel, the banderillas of Reggie Bullock, the nudges of RJ Barrett and the glasses of Taj Gibson. It is the unforgettable Julius Randle, finally empowered at the height of his talent, who will pass an exceptional course to become All-Star, candidate for the individual three-letter title, and master of the city that never sleeps. New York, we here. Like a slogan bellowed by Julius and his rocky voice after yet another victory torn off by the strength of his arms. The bituminous tone, the flashy sequences stored in the closet to praise hard basketball, Thibodeau basketball, New York basketball somewhere.

What served as a beautiful little winter story will turn into a real one darling of the entire 2020-21 NBA season. No, no drop in the diet and pace of the Knicks. No, despite a hardcore announced second-half campaign schedule, no bad losing streak at home or on the road. You’ll see, the Knicks are going to make us a Knicks, that’s for sure. The sentence was tempting, and how can you not be drawn to it after so many years in the same pattern? Instead, it’s a whole group that will stick together and bring out the kevlars to validate the most beautiful of achievements. The return to the Playoffs. That night, without playing, the Thibs players were able to enjoy Kevin Love in 2014 mode, beating the Celtics to offer the Knicks qualifying. Is it a dream? A malicious assembly? No, just one more assertion in this brand new reality: that of a frankness that is back in the elite of the Eastern Conference. Today is the party for all these fans, who knew the dark hours of Quincy Acy and Jarrett Jack, the black evenings of Toure ‘Murry and Lance Thomas, the bricks of Kyle O’Quinn and Mario Hezonja. Today is one of those rare days in the last decade when Knicks fans will be able to walk out of their homes, bulging chests, blue and orange clothes proudly worn, walking in slow motion. Back in the Playoffs, a phrase that made no sense a few months ago. What a route, what a season, what a merit.

In a perfect dream? You would have asked to live in a packed Madison Square Garden. But that is not the most important this Thursday. The Knicks are in the Playoffs, waiting to see if they take on the Bucks, Heat or Hawks in the first round. Send whoever you want, this season is already a victory. For Julius, for Thibs, for the city, and for his fans.

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