That's not what the Indiana Pacers want to hear being screamed from courtside and near-courtside seats in Indiana.

Rich New Yorkers were spending big money to land themselves in top seats in Indiana, and so the Pacers co-owners are taking steps to prevent that from happening again. On Tuesday, Melvin and Herb Simon said they'll buy any courtside tickets that season ticket-holders were planning to sell for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. And they'll pay as much for the tickets as outside ticket-brokers may offer.

I find that fairly amusing.

As a Knicks fan, I think it would be fantastic to be sitting courtside at an opposing team's arena, going crazy for New York while mocking everyone else. Making fun of about 15,000 angry fans who can all see you yelling and gesturing at them - now that's entertainment!

Some (foolish, ignorant) people claim that Knicks fans are fickle and don't support the team when things aren't going well. The truth is, Knicks fans are generally diehard fans who demand one thing from our team - heart.

Gotta have heart.

Some shots may fall, some shots may miss. Fine. But Knicks fans are the smartest fans around, and we don't settle for half-hearted effort. Charles Oakley was a favorite Knick of many fans for years; why? He rebounded well but wasn't grabbing 17 a game like Rodman. He barely scored in double-digits. Oak didn't rack up assists, either. He also blocked about 3 shots a decade. But Oakley had the heart of a lion, and put his heart and soul on the court each and every night. When hitting an open jumper or setting a good pick (many fans don't even notice all the great picks, Oakley would receive applause just like any other Knick. But what brought fans to their feet were the hustle plays - the dives for loose balls, charges drawn, and battles for boards that helped the Knicks immensely whether Oakely was the one who actually came away with the ball or not.

Hustle. Heart. Soul.

Real Knicks fans might occasionally boo when they sense a lack of intensity.

Real Knicks fans will never boo if it's clear that Knicks players are putting their heart and soul onto the floor. Win or lose, as long as true effort is there, Knicks fans will show their appreciation.

Regular fans may just cheer when something goes well, and not actually understand why it went well. Knicks fans spot good picks that lead to open shots. Knicks fans appreciate hard work, hustle, and the little things that lead to big things.

And, Knicks fans are in your face. Deal with it.

I hope the Knicks fans who managed to land themselves in the front row in Indiana somehow do it again and represent like they should - as loud, trash-talking, diehard fans who love their team, and also happen to know a hell of a lot about basketball.

"GO New York GO New York GO!"

Knicksfan, St. Louis MO
5/30/2000

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