IT HITS THE FANS
Here’s the top item on every Knick fan’s bucket list— let my favorite team rebound before I die.
The team’s epic losing streak is scaring away Alist ticket holders and turning the team’s “celebrity row” into a ghost town.
It’s also prompting mass thirdquarter exoduses and leading some of the team’s supporters to drink away the pain.
“I guess I am a masochist. The Knicks are like a bad drug and I can’t stay away,” said Bobby Flanagan, 31, a lawyer from Hoboken who paid $78 to watch the most recent massacre, a 11082 pummeling at Madison Square Garden by the sub .500 Charlotte Hornets.
The drubbing is the team’s 15th consecutive loss — a franchise worst.
Some loyalists coped with the Saturday’s crushing loss by cracking jokes— especially in the third quarter, when the team was getting trounced by 45 points.
“We snicker and make jokes and snide remarks with the people around us about how bad the Knicks are,” said Brianna Parsons, 24, of Babylon, LI, who blew $335 to watch the beat down eat down.
Teaching assistant Justin Morales, 23, addded, “We just talk st and laugh about ther the team. laugh— We o laugh.we cry.” It’seir Flanagan — who sported a Patrick Ewing jersey tot remind him off the good old days — spent a good chunk of the game scoring booze.
“The team is at rock bottom. But it’s hard to get mad at this point . .. The beer does help. It helps numb the pain,” he said, slurping a Bud Light.
Jarmar Richardson, 42, of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, said he passes depressing game time by chowing down.
“We eat and drink, sausage and chicken hot dogs . . . I don’t even know what the score is right now. I just know the food is good!”
“It sucks, bbut we’re loyal fans. It’s painful. But was can’t give upp on them.” Even the front row section reserved for celebs was empty on Saturrday.
Thhe team’s run is one of the worst in Neew York sports history — but no matter how much it hurts to watch, some loyal fans say they’re simply hooked on the pain and remaining true blue and orange.
The Knicks are 11 away from setting a record for NBA’s longest losing streak — which now belongs to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers, both of which lost 26 consecutive games.
It’s not the first time the team’s ego has been checked.
New York City’s worst losing streak was set by the team during the 19841985 and 198586 seasons, when it lost 20 straight games.
On Saturday, Knick President Phil Jackson took the blame.
“This is a mea culpa. I take responsibility for it,” he said.