I can remember the buzz that New York basketball generated in the 1980s and 1990s. Sports fans here loved the Knicks as much as the Yankees, Giants, or any other successful franchise based out of town.

Anchored by Patrick Ewing, this team was one of the best in the league for about a decade, contending for a championship almost every year. Making the playoffs was never out of the question, as the team was always a mainstay when it came to the postseason.

As Patrick Ewing got older, things slowly began to unravel. Many wondered about the fate of a team that depended on the aging core of him, as there was little youth to show any hope for the future.

The inevitable happened and Ewing was finally released, ushering in a dark era in the history of this franchise. The team quickly fell out of any kind of contention, missed the playoffs, and became the joke of the league in many ways.

With one of the highest payrolls, the Knicks were consistently one of the worst teams in the NBA for nearly the entire decade, and much of this had to do with foolish signings made by then-GM Isiah Thomas.

Slowly but surely things have started to look more promising for the team as time has passed. Isiah Thomas has been fired as general manager and head coach, and new coach Mike D’Antoni brings a successful Phoenix Suns resume to New York, where it appears he’s taken a few small steps this season in his quest to restore glory to the state. . New York basketball.

Some of the bright spots on this team include sophomore standout Danilo Galinari, who is one of the best three-point shooters in basketball this season, averaging nearly three per game. With the exception of the injured Danny Granger, no other player averages as many marks per game from deep as Galinari.

There’s also David Lee, the power forward who rebounds like nobody’s business and shoots over 55% from the field. A rushing player the team hasn’t seen in years, his performance is reminiscent of Charles Oakley in his prime.

Wilson Chandler is another versatile player who contributes in many categories across the board.

Most importantly, this is a young team that appears to be playing inspired basketball for the first time in years. With some cap space to spare this summer, the Knicks can easily build on that success by throwing some big names into the mix.