For 53 years, New York Knicks fans waited.
They endured heartbreaking playoff exits, perhaps none more painful than the Patrick Ewing era of the 1990s, when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls repeatedly stood in the way of an NBA Finals appearance. There was also the agony of 1995, when Reggie Miller scored eight points in nine seconds to steal Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals before the Indiana Pacers eventually eliminated New York in seven games, capped by a 97-95 victory in Game 7.
There were missed opportunities, questionable coaching changes, draft busts and front-office turmoil. Under controversial owner James Dolan, the Knicks spent decades as the punchline of the NBA. Through it all, Knicks fans kept believing that someday the championship parade would return to Manhattan.
Finally, the wait is over.
New York erased a fourth-quarter deficit and stunned the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, capturing the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973 and ending one of the longest title droughts in professional sports.
As the final seconds ticked away, generations of Knicks fans celebrated a moment many never thought they would see. Madison Square Garden erupted during a viewing party, and the streets of New York became a sea of orange and blue despite the game being played hundreds of miles away in Texas. I can only imagine what the city would have looked like if the Knicks had clinched the title inside “The Garden.”
The suffering is finally over, and the celebrities who regularly occupy courtside seats at “The Mecca” — Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Fat Joe, Jay-Z and Larry David, among others — now have a championship to celebrate.
This year’s team finally got over the hump with an incredible playoff run. Led by Finals MVP Jalen “Big Body” Brunson, along with fellow Villanova alumni Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, the Knicks also featured star center Karl-Anthony Towns and playoff hero OG Anunoby. Since winning the title, the team has been making the rounds in New York, appearing on shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America. Brunson and Hart even got the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Yankees game.
When it came down to it, San Antonio’s youth became its Achilles’ heel. The Spurs had several opportunities to get back into the series but couldn’t capitalize. I never like to place a series loss on one player, but I do feel for De’Aaron Fox, who struggled on the biggest stage and at times looked out of sync in the backcourt alongside Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
Still, if I’m in San Antonio, I run it back. The Spurs possess the ultimate X-factor in Victor Wembanyama, who seems to rise to every challenge placed before him. If he stays healthy, he has the potential to join the conversation with some of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Now, let’s switch gears.
I recently had the opportunity to tour Southern Gap High School, and I cannot say enough about how impressive the facility is becoming.
I’ve heard rumors that the classrooms are small, but nothing could be further from the truth. They are huge. The school is quickly taking shape and has the potential to become the premier high school facility in Southwest Virginia.
The auditorium is massive and resembles a professional performance venue. During my visit, bleachers were being installed in the gymnasium, and I was amazed by how high they already reached before construction superintendent Tim Burge informed me that five more rows would be added.
The wrestling room will be outstanding, and the football stadium already has the look and feel of a small college venue. With its bowl-style design, elevated walkways and scenic surroundings, there truly won’t be a bad seat in the house. I had the opportunity to step inside the press box, and the view was absolutely breathtaking.
Even though this is a sports column, I have to mention the Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing. It is unlike anything I’ve seen in a public school. The classrooms are enormous and filled with state-of-the-art equipment that will provide students with hands-on training opportunities.
The dental hygiene lab looks better than most professional dental offices I’ve visited. The equipment will be top-notch, and the automotive bays will give future mechanics a facility they can take pride in. The entire building impressed me.
The cafeteria, complete with an outdoor seating area and open-concept design, creates a college-like atmosphere that students are sure to enjoy.
I wasn’t a fan of consolidation when talks began to heat up, even though I understood it was probably the best for the county.
As a member of the Hurley High School Class of 2000, I will always consider HHS my school. Over the years, however, I’ve grown attached to all of Buchanan County’s schools and the communities they represent. I have made many new friends from all around the country and learned who I can count on.
Today, I’m all in.
Seeing our student-athletes together this summer, competing as one program, has also got me pumped about the one school. I look forward to seeing that massive trophy case begin to fill up.
Celebrate the history of our now-closed schools by building a shrine for yourself, as I have and cherish the memories and traditions that made each one special. But it’s also time to look ahead. Start getting your SGHS gear because, as of Thursday, June 18, Southern Gap High School is only 61 days away from opening its doors.
The excitement surrounding Southern Gap High School is undeniable, and I can’t wait to see the Eagles take flight. This is a school that all of Buchanan County can be proud of. Once students and families walk through those doors and see what has been built, I believe even many of the skeptics will come around. Southern Gap High School is here, and it’s something special. You might as well embrace it—the future has arrived.
