Team Dreamin' 2011: New York Knicks

At No Regard, we love basketball. We love the spectacle and strategy of the game, but sometimes the league's lack of imagination confounds and disappoints us. Call us optimists, visionaries, or kids who watched too much Space Jam, but we have ideas. Damn are we gonna share 'em.

So despite the emotional roller-coaster the Knicks have imposed on us this offseason, we at No Regard remain excited. I mean how could we not be? Dolan, Donnie, and D'Antoni (ahem, The Killer D's...) have cobbled together a team of guys that can really play. A low seed in the playoffs is no longer wishful thinking, but a reasonable expectation. For these Knicks, led by Amar'e, it's time to get serious, to focus on basketball; in other words, this ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around. Or is it...?



STAT has already had a successful summer in appealing to his new New York fan base. First there was his bold assertion that, "The Knicks are back!" which came prior(!) to his signing in July. Then there was his discovery of an iota of Jewish heritage, followed by the requisite trip to Israel, and glowing NY Times profile complete with Amare's distinction--that he considered himself culturally and spiritually, if not religiously Jewish (kinda like me. Awesome!). Most recently, Anna Wintour, feeling Federer fatigue and disgust with Lebron at his handling of The Decision (I just made both of those things up), decided Amar'e was her new boy. Took him to Fashion Week and everything. Apparently this wasn't a put-on either. STAT digs this shit. Says he:

"I love fashion, actually. I love gear. I mix high and low. I love watches. I love shoes. I make sure that every time I step out of the house I'm feeling comfortable and fashion-forward. Depending on the occasion, I dress the part."

New York has no shortage of sports stars, past and present, who know how to have a good time (see pictures of David Wright getting hammer time and D-Jeter passed out while white chicks slam Grey Goose); that being said not since Walt Frazier have we had something of the class Amar'e represents: A bonafide superstar that can ball on the court, and just as quickly be so damn debonair off it.

Amare's assertive play-making and sense of style make him a natural team leader in more ways than one. Accordingly, we've put together a list of team bonding events, led by Amar'e, that can help solidify their chemistry and make the Knicks of 2010-2011 a true force to be reckoned with:

1. Shabbat Dinner at Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse
Amar'e needs to put his cultural Jewish proclamations where his mouth is. Literally. We at No Regard can think of no better way for the team to learn a bit about STAT's culture than over chicken liver and brisket. Perhaps this could be preceded by a trip to the Tenement Museum.

2. Shopping outing at Barney's
In anticipation of The Decision, NY Mag ran a feature this summer on every Knick who has stepped foot in the Garden since Lebron was drafted. What a sorry looking crew. Not only could they not play, but not an ounce of style between these 72 schlubs. Amar'e, $100 mil in tow, needs to get his boys some new digs. You play how you look so we gotta get these boys lookin' baller.

3. A night out at Le Bain/Press/230 Fifth/Plunge
While Summer's end means rooftop drinking in New York is no longer fashionable, or as enjoyable, STAT and co. should nonetheless brave the winds and take a night on the town at one of the city's hot spots. And though the Knicks already see the world from a taller vantage point than your average Joe Plumber, it behooves them to get even higher to take it all in. Gentlemen, this is your city now. See it. Be it. Own it.

Get on this shit. See you in October.