Playing a sport comes with great pressure. Eyes focus on every athlete that steps foot on the court. Lights at full capacity shine down. That’s the moment. That light shines a little brighter when playing basketball in New York City, the “Mecca of Basketball.”
Why New York? Sure, New York Knicks fans are notorious for being obnoxious, rowdy, and passionate. But they’re also die-hard, loyal enthusiasts. New Yorkers keep the stadiums rocking.
Mr. Ebanks, Assistant Principal of Guidance at Forest Hills, has been a long-time New York sports spectator. “I was at [the Knicks and Rockets finals in 1994] game when the Knicks lost the championship…[the environment was] crazy and wild.”
Don’t just take Mr. Ebanks’ word for it. Carmelo Anthony, a Knicks legend, values the importance of a good fanbase. “To run out there and be hitting game winner, gettin fans riled up. When they’re stomping on the floor yelling that’s a great feeling,” Anthony shared in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
Players on the Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets are criticized regularly because of the high standards held for New York. In the sports world, bad percentages and plays are public. When a player shoots a bad percentage, it’s posted online for everyone to see and hear about it.
Yet, when the Knicks and Nets are playing at their absolute best, the entire city rallies behind them. Knicks Point Guard Jalen Brunson was recently interviewed on “The Old Man and The Three” podcast, where he expressed how he dealt with the initial pressure of playing for the Knicks. “If I play bad, I gotta own it. I gotta be better. If I play well, it’s because of my teammates who made it easier for me. I just gotta be a person who’s authentic and owns everything that he does. That’s, I think, the first step to being a guy who can connect with the fans,” he said.
This honesty and sportsmanship is the reason why the Knicks put in their bid for Brunson instead of allowing the Dallas Mavericks to try and get Brunson back. But that’s the NBA.
Looking locally at Forest Hills hoops, Chris Melendez, a school aide and assistant coach for the boys junior varsity basketball team is also an avid NY basketball fan. He’s also one of the biggest basketball enthusiasts in the school building. He played professionally in the Dominican Republic. “You got to commit to your craft,” he said.
Chris started playing basketball in New York, prior to playing overseas. He adds, “[In D.R.] I’m very committed to my sport…I work extra hard [and] I stay focused.” This ideology holds true for all great basketball players, and athletes in general.
The commonality is commitment and perseverance, but the competitiveness in New York is unmatched. “It’s a lot of competition.
It’s an environment where you have to bring your A game every night, every game. You do everything you can to be the best player on the core, best player on the team because you get recognition,” he said.
Mr. Johnson, a dean, teacher, and a co-coach for the Girls Varsity Basketball Team also grew up playing basketball in New York. “Being an inner city kid in New York City, a lot of our reputation and name kind of gets built up on your ability to play ball,” he said.
Basketball goes hand in hand with recognition and reputation. Mr. Johnson shared the same input as Mr. Melendez, that being an athlete was “very competitive growing up.”
“Also, due to NYC being the ‘Mecca of basketball,’ we took, with great pride, being basketball players. It started within the neighborhood and then that stemmed out into my high school. We wore our jersey with pride and we were happy to represent New York City,” Johnson reported.
Despite the difficulties and hardships New Yorkers face on many levels, the name “Mecca of basketball” represents us well. At times, it’s a heartbreak to be a New York sports fan. However, we New Yorkers come together when needed, and the “Mecca” title represents our strength. As New Yorkers, we are forever grateful for it.
