A Champion Interval
There’s been just the one championship this year. I shouldn’t take things for granted, as that’s infinity percent more than the most common outcome. Teams I follow have actually been at the decent rate of a single title combined annually, which far outpaces historical trends. This is me being appreciative.
You think nothing could ever change. Then the Knicks go from playing like they hate their fans to giving them the greatest thrill they’ve ever experienced. The vast contrast made the triumph even more stirring, so thank the franchise for the Langston Galloway era.
Enduring ample anguish first doesn’t seem like it should be part of the deal. But I’m afraid it’s the point. Untold devastation first is the only way people will then cherish triumph. Hand someone a million bucks to see it squandered.
The Sabres were the surprise schedule ruiners. It turns out they were allowed to advance to the mythical postseason this entire time. I knew I purchased the short-sleeve t-shirts featuring their logo for a specific reason, namely to wear them while it’s warm. That may seem self-evident. But nothing seems normal after surviving a historical banishment.
Reaching the semifinals disappoints very grateful. Syracuse lacrosse has gotten back to the point where there’s a letdown at championship weekend. The gap since their last Memorial Day win seems more acute not just because there’s another year added but since they have finally gotten somewhat close again. My experience in one of the few teams I follow with an embraceable title legacy makes their bout with drought even more frustrating. I hope the team I still refer to as the Orangemen gets back to the point of being despised.
Meanwhile, losing the sole postseason game can’t be seen as that much of a letdown, especially when the franchise in question has won the league’s final one the previous three years. The Bandits are regulars to the point where it’s important remind oneself a first-round exit isn’t the worst. Not taking it for granted is a blessing.
Contempt for the Bandits from enemy fans is a sign of thriving over time. A slight decline isn’t a plummeting. The legacy of three consecutive wins haunts haters.
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The league’s flagship has brought the championship streak for teams I back to four years, which I treasure as personally unprecedented. This surely will continue indefinitely, right? Even if not, an NLL dynasty will always have been joyous to have experienced. Three in a row by them creates a noticeable impact for all involved parties. It’s sustaining me now even with the Knicks creating basking.
Playoff games overlapping is as good a problem as Elon Musk being unable to decide which restaurant deserves his DoorDash order. It sure was nice of the NBA to hide games on Prime, as I totally didn’t want to be burdened with flipping back and forth from early Knicks postseason action and the Sabres.
Demanding fans pay for another particular streamer in order to view every postseason contest is their gift to ensure fans of multiple organizations focus on one. It’s totally not a disservice that harms the league over time in favor of a quick afterburner boost.
All this winning cut into my BritBox time. I’d usually have a way higher percentage of my DVR free. I would rather never catch up. Conditions could get so bad that not having a roof overhead became tempting. I postponed the horror of going outside for as long as possible. Checking that the Sun still exists is probably worthwhile, although it’s much brighter than I remember. I might even read a book, which goes strongly against my commitment to tsundoku.
The lack of stakes in previous springs freed up time, which is like noting Pyongyang’s traffic is manageable. Not feeling an unbreakable obligation to be tuned in for the first faceoff is not worth the tradeoff.
Waiting so long gives fans time to respect how tough the default setting is. Make sure to embrace the challenge of an extended absence. That’s why life does this to you. Getting through is easier when you start stressing about the next game as soon as the last one finishes.
The era of avoiding excitement wasn’t as fun as you’d think. Not getting wound up over my side chasing the object more successfully than the other paired with uninterrupted free time.
It’s better to feel beholden. For one, the time spent in question is invested watching sports, not getting dental attention or going to some job. And some sort of connection is welcome during an era when avoiding it becomes customary. Human contact is as eschewed as Jets tickets. Teams inflicting dullness is even more acute in an isolated world where staying inside to scroll has overtaken doing stuff as the primary form of entertainment.
Remembering what it’s like to feel stressed out is part of getting ahead. Progressing to the next stage is normal for spoiled fanbases. I urge those I back to attempt to join them and make others feel resentful. Wanting it to happen is surely the easy part. That’s surely all it took for the Knicks. I swear I haven’t gotten spoiled.
