The Year that Was…

by Tommy Dee on December 31st, 2009 at 2:39 pm


Feel the path of every day, Which road you taking?
Breathing hard, making hay… Yeah this is living.

-Eddie Vedder, Unthought Known, 2009

So it’s been some year, and before I get any deeper I’d like to echo Matt Cerrone’s thoughts in thanking each and every one of you for reading this space. Some of you I’ve thanked in person, some I haven’t had the chance to. But understand regardless of whether you agree or disagree with my thoughts on the Knicks, I value yours tremendously.

I was just reading the first entry from former Wizards beat writer Mike Jones of The Washington Times on his new blog (Via Alan Hahn’s tweet) and it struck me in a few ways.

First, as is my nature, I felt great compassion and understanding for the man’s situation because I lived it myself 12 months ago. This is America, and when someone is told that they can’t continue to earn a living doing what they love it’s always terribly confusing and upsetting. At least it was for me. Especially when you think of writers who have chased that childhood dream to cover a team and have gone through great pains to get there.

Now, there are writers out there who think what I (we) do is contributing to publications shutting down, and for that I feel great resentment. Yes, obviously, there has been a great push to digital, but, as one of the industry’s most powerful editors told me once, “content is, and will always be, king.” In other words, if you’re not building your own brand on line or if you’re not part of a digital business, then you are miles behind. And as journalists, there is nothing wrong with adjusting from old-school pencil and paper/typewriter journalism. There was a time, I can recall, when newspapers hired “backpack” journalists as means to cut costs. Although it may offend the Pete Hamill’s or the Jimmy Cannon’s, shouldn’t someone be willing to adapt to changes in their business?

Everyone else does.

I spent the early part of my professional life chasing my own dreams, and that included following around a little white ball and when I was done with that I figured I would leverage my experiences and work for a major golf publication. Fortunately, I was able to learn a lot about the print world and the digital space both editorially and from a business standpoint when I landed at one of the two major golf monthlys after interning at the other during grad school. My advice to anyone who faces the daunting task of unemployment is to hit the ground running, network, never turn down a meeting and be grateful that you have friends. All the above allowed me the sanity to get through a year consisting of a move and a wedding.

Throughout this decade, I would write about all things sports with a focus on the Knicks and based on one conversation with Matt and the folks at SNY they felt I had the chops to write TKB.

I am proud that we’ve established ourselves along with other outlets that I read and that we’re able to get in the doors and gain access and information to the fans. I catch heat because of the “blogger” label, which I find funny because so very few bloggers have the access that I have in any sport in any city and for that I thank the Knicks and MSG in addition, of course, to SNY.

I’m okay with taking heat for questioning an article, praising someone else’s work because it impacts me positively, or by taking a nugget and expounding on it. I think (hopefully) it creates educated discussions and that’s what I’m all about. Frankly, if I could have the chance to talk to every Knick fan for 5 minutes to see what they were thinking, that would be an ideal scenario for me.

So, from both a personal but more a professional standpoint, 2009 was a year that sort of mirrored what it has been for the Knicks. It started horribly then made a modest upswing, and that surge gives me great hope moving forward. In other words, certain things happen in life that make you realize that Mike D’Antoni’s rotation or the fact that the team didn’t draft Brandon Jennings means very little in the grand scheme. It’s a notion that I’ve always had, but life has a way of constantly reminding us doesn’t it?

So as we head into 2010 I want to again thank everyone for being a part of this site and to learn more about me and other Knick tidbits that don’t always make it on the blog, follow me on Twitter or on Facebook. As always you can read my articles on SNY.tv as well and you can listen to TKB Radio a few times a week with Rice Balls.

I honestly hope to meet you all someday and in the meantime have a happy and healthy New Year.

TD

PS: I don’t want to understate the significance of the TKB team…we are all in this together and I value them tremendously as well as the fans who take the time to send along their thoughts.
  • DVJ

    New Orange & Blue LeBron Shoe Says ‘I ‘Love’ NY’
    More Knicks News
    D’Antoni Expresses Interest In McGrady
    RealGM Recaps For Tuesday, 12/29
    Knicks Unlikely To Buyout Curry
    Bender Might Stick With Knicks
    New York Knicks Archive
    RSS Feed | Twitter

    Knicks Links
    New York Home Page
    New York Roster
    New York Message Board
    Find Knicks Tickets
    Feedback or Suggestions

    Dec 31, 2009 2:22 PM EST
    Another tease for Knicks’ fans or an indicator about LeBron’s immediate future?

    The new shoe for LeBron James — the Nike Air Max LeBron VII Hardwood Classic edition — are New York’s colors and inscribed with tantalizing clues from Nike and James.

    “[T]he newest, yet-to-be released kicks are not only a bright orange and blue – the colors of the New York Knicks – but turning over the shoes also reveals an I “LOVE” NY message on the outsole, and inside on the insole is an L23 styled question mark,” writes The Cleveland Leader. “There’s no doubt about the message that these shoes are sending.” Indeed, the message itself seems to be doubt.

    In any event, James has a new sneaker that is likely to cause another stir and more marketing buzz for Nike.

  • fuhry

    Thanks Tommy, for all you do, and I hope you make a decent living off of it, because you write well and make intelligent analysis, and you consistently update us and I appreciate that.

    As Knick fans we have to enjoy not just the winning but the process. I find basketball fascinating, and, particularly with the Knicks, there is a lot of disappointment, but it’s important to keep those disappointments in perspective and not lose our wonder and interest in the game.

    A pretty good recipe for life in general, too. Happy New Year!

  • Chris Alvino

    Just to piggy back on Tommy’s thoughts….

    I also want to thank all of you for your continued readership and support. Writing on TKB has played a major role in my life over the last 1.5 years. I have said this before, but this site would not be where it is today without the fans.

    2009 (the entire decade for that matter) has been tough, but hopefully by this time next year, we will all be signing to a different tune.

    Be safe tonight and enjoy bringing in the new year.

    Thanks again.

    Chris

  • ds2488

    Thanks a lot Tommy. You are the best and I think I can speak for every fan that bleeds orange and blue when I say that your blog is the best. Happy new year man. Thanks

  • J_Starks3

    I just wanna say two things;

    - First you have the job that deep down inside all of us (fans) would love. The closest thing to being an athlete is being part of the press and following them. You do an excellent job of it and personally I hope this continues. I was born and raised in NYC (Washington Heights) now I decided to raise my family in Clifton Park NY (15 miles north of Albany). This is the best way for me to follow my professional teams (HS sports is big here). So Thanks!!

    - Second, it’s true that as fans of The Greatest City in the world we will never agree on which path out team should take but the one thing we agree on is that everyone will be satisfied if at the end of the season (I mean any season) the Knicks raise the trophy.

    Keep it up Tommy.

    Go Knicks!!!

  • DVJ

    Happy New Year to everybody….yes HAS you 2!!

    Be safe tonight and drink everything in sight.

    Just don’t drive!!

  • DVJ

    The Knicks and Rockets have had “limited” talks regarding Tracy McGrady, a source told the New York Post.

    The source added that conversations could increase within the next week as Houston pushes to move McGrady and the holidays end.

    “This could take a while,” a source said. “The Rockets want to talk to a lot of teams.”

    If the Rockets eventually buyout McGrady, it could make it easier for him to land in New York.

    The Knicks still have their $6 million mid-level exception and can use a portion to sign a free agent.

  • HaS

    HA! Thanks DVJ, I’ll try.

    Thanks especially for not saying those 4 magic words again, ugh!!

    PS: Bro seriously, can you just say “I” instead of “We”? That’s all I ask lol.

  • HaS

    You’re much easier to tolerate than Heri (Thall/GreatScott?) btw.

    Happy New Year!

    Peace.

  • BiggieSmalls

    Happy New Years to all Knicks fans.. much success in 2010

    im getting the new Lebron kicks first thing tomorrow.

    Here’s a McGrady swap that may work

    McGrady and Budinger (cause i liked him from the draft and he can shoot)
    for
    Nate, Hill, Jeffries and Darko’s contract.

    two youngs (one expiring potential fan fav), a useful defensive player and an expiring.

  • josh h

    Thanks Tommy. Though I have never met you before, thanks for running TKB. This site has allowed me to express my feelings and frustrations regarding the Knicks. Its great to know that there are other helpless Knicks fans other than myself, and its cool to know that I share most of the problems that other readers also have. Though this year has really sucked, I was able to post on TKB, and thats really cool. Be safe everyone.

  • bob go knicks

    Add his stupid sneakers to my list!..Just another reason to hate that Jackass Lebron!

  • DVJ

    Chase was the man in college. I think his game is underrated.
    I couldn’t believe him and Blair lasted till the 2nd round.

    Good trade Biggie!!!

  • DVJ

    I try bro!!

    I promise I won’t use the “we” in my famous quote any more.

  • ScottD

    To Tommy and all at TKB,

    Thank you all for the time, effort and passion that you put into the site.
    I start everyday with a strong cup of coffee and with a visit to your site.
    You keep me connected to all that is Knicks.

    I don’t have children, but I think that I can understand why parents live vicariously through them when it comes to sports.
    I feel like the Knicks are my kids, and I celebrate their successes, and feel the pain of their failures.

    For the most part, the last decade has been a painful time for us Knicks fans, and it is with great hope, that Knick fans watch the team enter the next decade on the comeback trail, and ride the wagon to a place of pride and glory.

    I don’t really care how we do it, I just care to see our team get closer to that pot of gold.

    If we win with with LeBron, fine.
    With someone else, fine.

    All I hope to see is a team that will make us and the City of New York proud.

    To all fellow readers, commenters and to TKB

    I wish all of you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010

  • x-man

    Hey, What’s up with the blog. My name was stated to be invalid and I had to register again! Is the site admin trying to bench x-man like N8?

    I’m sorry for speaking poorly of D’Antoni! I’ll try to make a resolution to drink the kool-aid next year! I won’t promise though!

  • x-man

    Happy New Year to all!

    I’m a relative new register here and I would like to say TX as well to those administering this blog. It doesn’t matter if as ya say, you’re putting some in publication out of work. At least you’re keeping the jobs in America! That’s a very good thing.

    BTW. I’m note sure who the site administrators are, but I see someone has taken my blog name “THALL”. This name was butchered on the NYPOST website where many used it since there was no registering. This THALL on this blog is still blabbering about ‘HERI” which is really OLD news. lol

    Yet, what’s in a name anyway. I guess some people can’t express their thought using their own name.

    In any event, keep up the good work and hopefully the new x-man can finally see our Knicks win a ring in the new decade. That I pray!

  • itzyung1

    Thats A Good Trade Biggie.
    Im still looking where to Buy Those Lebron Sneakers. haha
    Happy New Years Everybody. This Time Next Year Someone Will Be Wearing Number 6 Knicks Jersey and Lighting Up The Garden.

  • totti

    happy new year to everybody. From Italy!

    Good job, Tommy!!

  • bob go knicks

    Happy new year tommie,HaS,Biggie,Mucha,Gawd of,all knowledge.and in Donnie……..i dont trust at all…he has nothing 2 lose cuz hes so old if it dont get done……….hell just retire……but i love you all and i hope ypu all get what i already have

  • Knicks fan in Taiwan

    Happy New Year to Tommy and all the commenters that make this site a must-visit every day, in-season and out.

    It’s been a brutal run in the last 10 years or so, let’s hope the Knicks can get up to or over .500 starting now. And just keep building from there.