Why the NY Knicks Winning the NBA Finals Made Me Cry

The New York Knicks won the NBA Finals last night.

By the way, I am not a Knicks fan. Yet there I was, sitting on my couch with tears in my eyes as the game’s buzzer went off at the last seconds. Of course, I could not fully explain why. The playoffs and finals were amazing; particularly the Knicks showcased grit, determination, and the ability to continue with adversity despite obstacles. As I sat with my emotions, I realized I was reacting to something much bigger than basketball.

I was thinking about New York City; the 5 Boroughs. Years ago, I was born, raised, and reared across the Hudson River in Newark, New Jersey. Some of my best memories involve hopping on the PATH train and making my way into the city. Navigating subway stations. Going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with my Dad. Spending nights at Webster Hall. Earning my master's degree at Fordham University. Learning, growing, and discovering who I was becoming. New York City was part of the blueprint for my life.

Watching the NBA Finals reminded me of all the reasons people love New York. The energy, toughness, diversity. The belief that no matter how difficult things become, you find a way to keep going.

As a social worker, I spend much of my time talking with people about resilience. Not the inspirational quote version of resilience. The real versions: the one that shows up after loss; the one that shows up after trauma and the version that shows up when life does not go according to plan, yet somehow you keep putting one foot in front of the other.

When I think about New York City, I think about a city that has had to practice resilience repeatedly. September 11th comes to mind. The coronavirus pandemic also comes up as I think about the countless personal and collective losses experienced by millions of people. Yet, NYC continued. Never slept. That is what I saw throughout this playoff run. Not perfection but persistence.

Then another realization hit me; I was also grieving; therefore, proving grief never leaves.

I found myself wondering what my mother would have said while watching the game. She loved sports and could turn almost any game into a lively conversation. I thought about my father, who spent so much time in the city over the years throughout his career. Both of them are gone now. Grief has a way of appearing when we least expect it. Sometimes it arrives during anniversaries or holidays or even during ordinary moments.

Maybe that is why sports matter so much to me. It’s not just about the score; sports become containers for memories, connections, traditions, and emotions. They remind us of where we have been, who we have loved, and what we have survived.

While I may never call myself a Knicks fan, I found myself incredibly happy for New York City and the people who have waited so long for this moment. I was reminded that resilience is not about avoiding adversity, but it is about continuing despite it. For one night, a basketball game reminded me of that truth.

Congratulations again to the NY Knicks.

Written by Shantel “Shanti” Robinson, LCSW

Founder of Shanti’s Promise, LLC & Shanti’s Promise Clinical Wellness, PLLC

Empathy. Strength. Renewal