Dear God -- all I want for Christmas is to see the Knicks come alive.  I'm not asking for wins, even playoffs.  But please God, give New York something to cheer about.  First the MTA, now the Knicks?  Please, bring them to life.

Come on guys.  It's the Holiday-freaking-season.

It's that time of year, folks.  Tonight I witnessed the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and let me tell you - I did feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Don't laugh, you would too.  It's simply gorgeous.

Yet, the MTA decides to spare New York of its lifeline -- its circulatory system, if you will.  The MTA simply has stopped coming to work, and New York has felt the effects.

Sadly, this virus is spreading to the New York Knicks.

After a frigid 16 block walk downtown, I passed the Mecca of Basketball - Madison Square Garden.  What did I hear?

"What's that?  The Knicks lost to the Spurs?  Get out of town.  Oh, that's right.  The subways are down.  In that case, that's old news buddy."

My, how forgotten the glory days of LJ and "the shot" of Allan Houston have become.

Funny, how things change over the years.  Let's take the term "Mecca of Basketball" as an example:

First of all, let me say that I AM guilty of thinking three things when I think of the Middle East.  Camels, Bazaars, and lots of freaking sand.  Unfortunately, after 9/11 and some incoherent George "Dubyah" rhetoric, different images come to mind.  Just be politically incorrect, I'll say the word "TERRORIST" is a recurring theme.  No, I will not say BOMB. 

"BOMB?!  DID SOMEONE SAY BOMB?!  Quick, tackle the first guy you see wearing a turban and frisk him like he's a serial killer on the loose!  Forget the guy sprinting for the Q downtown with the sketchy briefcase." 

It's sad, really.  But I digress.

My point is this: it pains me to know that MSG is still referred to as the "Mecca of Basketball".  See, my YMCA Coach told me in 5th freaking grade that basketball comes down to three things. Heck, maybe if I was that young today with a good jumpshot, who knows?  I could be drafted in the first round.  But back to the three tenets of basketball:

Defense, Teamwork, and Effort.

Funny.  Jerome James can relate to the term "defense".

"Wow Tony! (as in Tony Parker) That was a niiiice lay-up.  I wish I was that fast.  Hey, did you know that the key here in New York is painted orange?  How funny is that?  I've been staring at this floor for ages!  It's just so..."

Please, Mr. James.  I love the fact that you bring size to this team.  But please, play some defense.  Please.  Coach Rick would definetely make you run suicides at the Y all night.

As for teamwork, that's a whole other story.

First of all, any Knick fan has an opinion on Marbury.  I love the guy.  Hard-nosed, tough, scrappy.  He's got game, period.  I do not place ALL the blame on this guy, as the masses in MSG (who were losing by 32 at freaking HALFTIME) are so prone to do.  Don't get it twisted, folks.  It is NOT ALL STEPH'S FAULT.   Would you prefer him NOT to play at all?  Yeah, that's what I thought.  The team simply needs more offensive firepower.  Not to mention Crawford should be starting.  But honestly, teams run circles around our bigs i.e. Eddy Curry, simply because they understand one thing the Knicks don't:

Teamwork.

I don't think "chemistry" is a theme for the Knicks this year.  Unless Steph is spoonfeeding the baby bigs down low, I might as well nap until he takes his next J or crosses up the next defender.  Please, make something happen.

I don't know how Larry Brown sleeps at night.  Here's a quote (paraphrased) from the post-game:

"See it's funny.  A couple weeks ago, I was real happy with the effort level.  I thought it was a good level, and we would be alright.  Now I'm not so sure."

When Larry Brown says this, a coach who has essentially seen it all, it is bad news folks.  Bad freaking news.

 On the bright side, I have heard that Steph did act out of character tonight.  He was encouraging, commanding, motivating, and dare I say -- leading the team.  But as of now, things are just plain ugly.

Defense?  Nope.

Teamwork?  Psh, right.

Effort?  I thought so... now I'm not so sure.

2006 is around the corner, fellas.  I'll be at MSG January 2nd.  Please, dive on the floor.  Let me hear the sound of knees burning on the hardwood for a looseball.  And please, beat the Suns.   

It’s been a tumultuous season for Houston sports, to say the least.

And it looks like the inclement weather isn’t going anywhere for the Bayou City, one amongst many sports hotbeds in the Lone Star state.  But could this forecast be a little premature?  After all, sports writers, believe it or not, are just like the weather gurus of today.  Hey, at least we won’t leave your ears freezing on the commute home with a “brisk, 45 degree afternoon”, but the bottom line is - we are both susceptible to error.

But first, let’s face the facts.  If I gave my heart to the Houston Texans, it would be aching like Rick Majerus doing suicides.  It wouldn’t be pleasant, folks.  Being a football fan in Houston is like trying to salvage a relationship with the girl you give all your love to, and unfortunately you’re her favorite doormat.  You’re the knucklehead that needs to look up “dignity” in Websters, now.  She’ll take your money, keep your heart, and leave you broke both ways.  But is it so bad for the Houston fan?

All other major sports point to one thing: yes, and it’s painful.  I present to you Exhibit 1: The Houston Astros.

“What?!  The Astros are in the World Series?  No way!  Has victory arrived in Houston?”

A Paul Konerko blast, Jose Contreras (or El Duque, Garland, Buehrle…) strikeout, and South Side parade later:

“What?!  The Astros were swept in the World Series?  Oh… what’s the fuss about?”

Now, now.  I’m not saying that the ‘Stros aren’t one heck of a team, or undermining their recent or future success (though losing Oswalt must be painful).  But any fan who is teased by a hot November streak, only to lose the Series will tell you this: there is no 2^nd place in baseball.  Sure we made a run, but losing hurts, period. Good season fellas, but not good enough.  Ask anyone who is a perennial “contender”, but never lives up to their preseason hype.  Ask any team who is “heavy” with talent, but chokes in Game 7 of the Finals.  Does it really matter if you don’t win it all?  Oh, or ask any Red Sox fan prior to 2004.  Congrats, the curse has been reversed.

Bottom line: Good, but not good enough ‘Stros.  It must be rough having the pain of being swept in the Series undermine any post-season success.

Still not convinced that being a fan in Houston isn’t so easy?  Let’s look at Exhibit 2:

The Houston Rockets.

“WHAT?!  They’re not even substantially below .500!  They have T-Mac and Yao.  These guys were expected to be the premiere 1-2 punch in the league!”

Yes, T-Mac and Yao SHOULD be a beastly tandem.  But are they?  If you know just how good these guys can be, it must be painful to see how the Rockets have performed thus far.  One word sums it up: Frustration.  I feel you, Houston fans. I’m from New York.  I just replace “Frustration” with “Devastation”.  Larry Brown is getting more stress wrinkles by the second (no, those are not from old age).  Trust me, I feel you.

The Astros and Rockets.  The epitome of talent that comes oh so close to realizing their potential, but is hindered by something so small, yet somehow so detrimental.  It’s like having that itch on your back that you just can’t reach.  You know it’s there, but until you can reach it, it’s going to bother you until you go mad.  The potential is there, fans.  The question is – will it be realized? 

The funny part is, redemption might be found in the most unlikely of places.

The Houston Texans.   Yes, I said it.  The Texans may make Houston rejoice once more.

Yes, David Carr still plays like a rookie.  Andre Johnson is undoubtedly one of the most underutilized playmakers in football, and Dom Capers will need therapy after this season. 

I take that back.  Dom Capers will seek therapy after looking at the Texan’s record.  On the bright side Coach Capers, at least you got two.

So why the Texans?  See, the sad part is that this team is still playing for pride.  So why is this sad?  One could argue that they’re not playing for W’s or L’s, but #1.  They’re playing for pride all right - the pride of having the #1 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. So yes, maybe they are playing for W’s and L’s.  Or is it just L’s?  But one thing is for sure – they want that pick for one reason.  Yep, you guessed right.

They want #1 for #5: Reggie Bush.

At this point in time (after all, he just won the Heisman), I don’t find it necessary to talk about his surreal statistics or undeniable talent.  The guy is a flat-out special player; and there are only a handful of “special players” in the entire history of football, both collegiate and professional.  Take Walter Payton, for instance.  Or the college career of Bo Jackson.  The kid is a dime a dozen, folks.

Need I go into what the guy has done?  Please, look up his stats for this year.  In fact, compare his stats to any collegiate back, past or present.  The conclusion is unquestionable.  Reggie Bush will make an immediate impact on any NFL team, regardless of where.

If you aren’t convinced by statistics, then please, by all means, watch highlight film.  I agree that statistics may not always be the best means by which to measure the talent of a player, so for your viewing pleasure, I highly advise that you watch the many highlight reels of Reggie Bush.  It will make you a believer, brothers and sisters.

Without a doubt, the Houston Texans know that #5 is an unprecedented talent.  Put him in the backfield, every play.  Even if you have a 4^th year signal caller playing like a rookie, he will be a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.  Mark my words.

I don’t blame you, Texans.  Though it may hurt the fans for now, desperate times call for desperate measures.  If you’re holding out for a hero, fans, hold out for the 2006 Draft.  Cross your fingers, hold your rosary beads, pray to Allah or travel to Mecca, whatever you see fit, and have hope.  Hope that the NFL zero of today might become the #1 of tomorrow - by picking #5 with the #1 choice in the NFL Draft.