Lichtenstein: Thanks Anyway -- 2016 Was A Down Sports Year For NY
By Steve Lichtenstein
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This is getting ridiculous.
I started compiling this annual Thanksgiving list in 2012, some nine and a half months after the Giants defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.
No New York area team has won a championship since.
A couple have come close. The Mets and the Rangers reached the final leg during this period, but neither closed the deal. For many teams, however, each year seems to be at best stagnant.
In 2016, the Islanders were the only local representatives to win a playoff ROUND. Even those who follow U.S. professional soccer had their hearts broken this year. Both the Red Bulls and NYC FC -- despite finishing 1-2 in the Eastern Conference regular season standings -- choked in their first playoff series. To a pair of teams from Canada! My obsessive-compulsive superstitions are telling me to give this up. I must be jinxing sports fans across the city by reminding them of all that we should be thankful for.
But a big part of fandom is succumbing to the irrational. If logic were involved, there wouldn't be any Jets fans. Even the most pessimistic fans like me continue to watch these games in a hopeful manner. We want to believe, even when we should know that pain is on the other end. So though it appears on the surface that 2016 was one big failure, let's once again get into the holiday spirit by looking back fondly at the moments and athletes for which we should give thanks.
And with that nugget of positivity, I give you my fifth annual Thanksgiving list:
20. Never was regime change more needed than in Brooklyn, where the Nets finally bid adieu to incompetent general manager Billy King in January.
19. Speaking of good riddance's, here's to no more A-Rod drama.
18. Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey, playing the sport the way it was meant to be played. Too bad their results didn't match their entertainment value -- too many NHL coaches continue to scheme the joy out of the games.
17. He may now be a Brave, but Bartolo Colon highlights will forever live in the hearts of every old, overweight Mets fan.
16. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams, one of few bright spots in a very dark Jets season.
15. The NHL college player free agent rule, which gifted the Rangers Kevin Hayes in 2014 and Jimmy Vesey this season. In the other three major sports, such players who choose not to sign with the team that drafted them go back into the draft the following year -- they don't become free agents.
14. The NYC college basketball scene. The local teams may struggle to reach the end-of-season national stage, but many top programs will be visiting Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center in the next two months.
13. OK, it's not Linsanity II and the Nets won't win many games, but Jeremy Lin's return to NYC under the tutelage of his former Knicks mentor Kenny Atkinson was keeping them competitive prior to Lin's hamstring strain. Please, Mikhail Prokhorov, give this some time.
12. New Jersey native Laurie Hernandez, the gymnast who shined brightest among a strong area contingent at the Rio Olympic games.
11. The speed of Rangers winger Michael Grabner. His lack of finishing touch caused him to fall out of favor in Toronto and with the Islanders, but he's been a tremendous fit (with 12 goals in 20 games) so far in coach Alain Vigneault's high-octane system.
10. The Devils' trade for left wing Taylor Hall. He's a game-changer. Get well soon.
9. The Yankees' youth commitment. Can it be that they've finally come to the realization that top players these days are developed, not purchased?
8. The Giants relying on their defense to close games. It's always more fun around here when they are playing meaningful December games.
7. Kristaps Porzingis, the real deal for the Knicks. They're even passing him the ball more than once every three possessions.
6. The Mets' pitching depth. Think about the quality of all the arms they lost to injury over the course of the season, yet they still made it to the wild card game.
5. Odell Beckham Jr. His antics irritate many, but his big-play talent for the Giants at wide receiver makes him the best athlete in New York.
4. Gary Sanchez almost singlehandedly carrying the Yankees on his back in a surprising late-season charge. May this Sanchize have a longer shelf life than the last one in these parts.
3. John Tavares' overtime goal to give the Islanders their first postseason series victory since 1993. His heroics qualify as the New York sports moment of a very lean year.
2. The legions of New York sports fans, like you, who are so devoted to their teams that they can't get enough content on outlets like wfan.com and CBSNewYork.com.
And, as always ...
1. My wonderful family, with extra thanks to my put-upon wife, who indulge me in my illogical passions for my favorite teams. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. May 2017 literally be a banner year in New York.
For a FAN's perspective of the Nets, Jets and the NHL, follow Steve on Twitter @SteveLichtenst1