New York Squashes Spiderman: Story of the Series
The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially been eliminated from the 2023 NBA playoffs
Spiderman is one of the most famous superheroes in history and around the world. The patron saint of New York City. Even so, the New York faithful had next to no problem booting him out of the city and sending him back to Cleveland.
The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games to move on to the second round where a familiar foe awaits them. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Because there were many who doubted they’d even get to the post-season this year, let alone win a series against the Cavaliers. Myself included. Which is why I hold my hand up and say: I did NOT see this coming.
On paper, the Knicks had only a slightly worse record than their first round opponent. Yet watching them on court it felt like they were leagues apart, not least because of the respective stars at the helm of each ship. While Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett are not players to scoff at, Cleveland had the Spida who much of the sporting world thought would be heading to the Big Apple. Donovan Mitchell. And if that wasn’t enough, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland also presented formidable challenges. That being said, even though I assumed Cleveland would eventually prevail, I was eager to see a back and forth series that went six games, minimum.
Instead the New York Knicks shined up their finest Timberland boots and proceeded to stomp the Cavaliers in a gentleman’s sweep.
As the first round is reaching its end stages and the conference semi-finals begin, I feel that this is a series we will be looking back on in years to come. With the collapse of the formerly mighty Brooklyn Nets, I thought this year would be another quiet one for the Empire State. Yet the ‘heritage team’ Knicks have given New York something to cheer about. And as for the Spida, I’m sure he’ll continue to be welcome in New York. Just not when he’s on the opposing team.
