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OT: Knicks Championship

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yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,566
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I think a celebration thread is in order.

I had lost interest in the NBA not long after the Ewing era and had some fun even watching the Kidd era for the Nets. After that, the league became something else and was no longer fun to watch.
This Knick team reminds me of those older era teams. I’m watch a skinny 6 foot dude posting out the alien, our star players giving sharp passes to others if they are not on their game. And when hot, just taking over a game.
I see a guy like KAT not score but fighting for the rebounds. Never give up and just play smash you in the mouth basketball. I hope this may be a start of the NBA getting back to being what it was.

what a run by these guys!
 
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Section124

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
17,275
21,905
96
Congrats to the Knicks. This was an amazing playoff run. Similar to you I grew up a huge Knicks fan. Was at every Knicks/Rangers home playoff games in the 90's since my FIL's company had a box. Gave up primarily rooting for the Knicks in the late 90's because they could never close the deal / Jordan was. Also in the 90's, my wife's boss had Nets season tickets (center court / 10th row) and those teams were fun with Coleman and Drazen. The Kidd teams were even better. Once they moved to Brooklyn, I lost all interest in pro basketball. The game still bother me with all the traveling, flopping, lack of defense and amount of 3's, but the early GS teams were fun to watch. This win brings back memories of the 70's team I fell in love with.
 
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Rutgers Chris

All-American
Nov 29, 2005
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Presented here as a Spurs stat which is remarkably bad. But when you turn it upside down to a Knicks stat, it’s absolutely amazing that they won these games and the series in 5.
 
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RUPete90

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
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The Spurs young core is incredible and will only get better and Fox isn't that old either. He just wasn't healthy during the playoffs. Can't explain his Game 4 brain fart however. Definitely think experience was a factor, but I also think the Spurs need a couple of more pieces in the form of frontcourt muscle. They will learn from this and their front office will get to work to supplement their excellent core.

All that said, GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO! What an incredible run. I have never seen one of my teams go on a playoff heater like this. I know some people will always hate the Knicks, mainly because of some of their fans. But this was a true team that was so easy to root for - so many doubters about these guys and they proved them all wrong. I honestly think Brunson growing up around the Knicks set off a light bulb in his head later during free agency. He saw firsthand what a good Knicks team means to this city and area and he may have thought, "Why can't I be the guy to bring this franchise back?" He definitely didn't run from it like other FAs did. He sure as hell played like he was on that mission. Congratulations to him, the Knicks and all of the other loyal Knicks fans on this board. Enjoy - you deserve it!
 
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yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,566
38,326
113
RUPete90 said:
The Spurs young core is incredible and will only get better and Fox isn't that old either. He just wasn't healthy during the playoffs. Can't explain his Game 4 brain fart however. Definitely think experience was a factor, but I also think the Spurs need a couple of more pieces in the form of frontcourt muscle. They will learn from this and their front office will get to work to supplement their excellent core.

All that said, GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO! What an incredible run. I have never seen one of my teams go on a playoff heater like this. I know some people will always hate the Knicks, mainly because of some of their fans. But this was a true team that was so easy to root for - so many doubters about these guys and they proved them all wrong. I honestly think Brunson growing up around the Knicks set off a light bulb in his head later during free agency. He saw firsthand what a good Knicks team means to this city and area and he may have thought, "Why can't I be the guy to bring this franchise back?" He definitely didn't run from it like other FAs did. He sure as hell played like he was on that mission. Congratulations to him, the Knicks and all of the other loyal Knicks fans on this board. Enjoy - you deserve it!
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One of tge things that is cool is that this Knick team is very easy to like.
 
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ClassOf02v.2

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Sep 30, 2010
13,842
15,322
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If I were a Spurs fan, I’d be (1) obviously bummed right now, but beyond excited for the next 10 years and (2) screaming to find a new coach.

Mitch Johnson may one day be an elite NBA head coach. But he made some head scratching decisions in this series. To capitalize on what the Spurs have on their roster, I’d want to bring in a new head coach with at least some more experience to lead such a young team.

I’d be surprised in the Spurs don’t win 2 or 3 championships in the next 5 years.
 
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Bueller

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Nov 28, 2025
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My first pro event was a Knick game when I was 10 but I never really liked indoor, winter sports (I skied a lot instead). When Knicks had Ewing and Riley I watched a lot of Knicks. My high school was simultaneously sending players to Duke and UConn for titles (we had 2 first round NBA picks) so I watched a lot of basketball in the 90s . When Riley left the Knicks I was pretty much done with NBA (revolved around Nike marketing) and college BB (one and done thing killed that).

Brunson got my attention leaving potential 113 million off contract in order to get more good players. That was a black swan event for NBA imo. I watched more Knick's games and saw they were a likeable team all around (I can't "root for laundry" as they say). Tom Thibodeau firing was a curve but it worked out

When team members are fun and like each other I think it helps a lot and Knicks have that. They are also committed to higher goals than just being good athletes. I think CV era broke some of the conveyer belt aspect of sports. I've seen a lot less superficiality in recent athletes and teams. Indiana was like that with their play and players/coaches.

There were also a lot of great Olympic athletes like Knicks and Indiana. Alysa Liu (skating) and women's track was packed with them. Tara Davis-Woodhall, Masai Russell, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (NJ) and Gabby Thomas are amazing people as well as gold medalists.

So for me I like that Knicks a lot but they have also been part of broader renaissance I've see in sports world. I think the Knicks having so many fans is supported by having teams with mostly good people that fans take to.
 
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gmay8

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2005
2,662
2,726
113
I was 10 years old in 1994. Die hard Knicks fan. Die hard hoops fan. Certainly fell out of love with the Knicks for the years in between when they were horrible.
Watching last night with my die hard 9 year Knicks/basketball fan son was so special. Great experience and a great great team.


Dylan Harper is also so damn special I’m excited to watch his career.
 
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RUnotentertained

RUnotentertained

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Jan 10, 2026
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Championship playlist … Sunday shopping and all I want to play on the radio are the following !!!

we are the champions
Go ny go ny go
Sinatra New York
Back in the New York groove
New York State of mind
Alicia keys New York
 
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Section124

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
17,275
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96
If Wemby wasn’t such a punk, the Spurs would be such an easy team to root for due to Dylan Harper. I’ll always root for DH though.
 
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Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,748
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I am a Nets fan from the beginning. By "the beginning", I mean the 1967-68 New Jersey Americans with RU legend Bob Lloyd. I have forgiven them for abandoning NJ - twice. I have NOT forgiven the Knicks for holding the Nets financially hostage when they joined the NBA, thus forcing the Nets to sell Julius Erving.

I used to revel in the fact that the Nets had won a title more recently than the Knicks. (Yeah, ABA counts.) Also that the Nets had made the NBA finals more recently than the Knicks. All of that is now gone. 😔

That said, I will now congratulate the Knicks, as is dictated by the rules of civil society.

Congratulations, Knicks.

I shall speak of this no further.
 
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Bueller

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Section124 said:
If Wemby wasn’t such a punk, the Spurs would be such an easy team to root for due to Dylan Harper. I’ll always root for DH though.
Click to expand...

I was surprised by: A) how dirty he was and B) how the league was willing to let him beat on the Knicks since he was a foreign player with fans overseas.

In his "defense" some knowledgeable basketball fans say the foreign leagues he played in are notoriously dirty as a rule.
 
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yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,566
38,326
113
Doctor Worm said:
I am a Nets fan from the beginning. By "the beginning", I mean the 1967-68 New Jersey Americans with RU legend Bob Lloyd. I have forgiven them for abandoning NJ - twice. I have NOT forgiven the Knicks for holding the Nets financially hostage when they joined the NBA, thus forcing the Nets to sell Julius Erving.

I used to revel in the fact that the Nets had won a title more recently than the Knicks. (Yeah, ABA counts.) Also that the Nets had made the NBA finals more recently than the Knicks. All of that is now gone. 😔

That said, I will now congratulate the Knicks, as is dictated by the rules of civil society.

Congratulations, Knicks.

I shall speak of this no further.
Click to expand...
I started my Basketball fandom with Billy Paultz and Dr. J
 
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yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
122,566
38,326
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ClassOf02v.2 said:
If I were a Spurs fan, I’d be (1) obviously bummed right now, but beyond excited for the next 10 years and (2) screaming to find a new coach.

Mitch Johnson may one day be an elite NBA head coach. But he made some head scratching decisions in this series. To capitalize on what the Spurs have on their roster, I’d want to bring in a new head coach with at least some more experience to lead such a young team.

I’d be surprised in the Spurs don’t win 2 or 3 championships in the next 5 years.
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Watching this series- it makes me wonder if Wemby got exposed now to the league. I watch him and think that while he is more mobile then most big men we have ever seen- the guy doesn't look like he would be in the league if he was only 6ft6. He doesn't seem to play very smart either.

The Spurs do have a talented team and they may win more but to be honest- I kind of see that team becoming Harper's team, not Wemby.
 
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RUPete90

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
663
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Doctor Worm said:
I am a Nets fan from the beginning. By "the beginning", I mean the 1967-68 New Jersey Americans with RU legend Bob Lloyd. I have forgiven them for abandoning NJ - twice. I have NOT forgiven the Knicks for holding the Nets financially hostage when they joined the NBA, thus forcing the Nets to sell Julius Erving.

I used to revel in the fact that the Nets had won a title more recently than the Knicks. (Yeah, ABA counts.) Also that the Nets had made the NBA finals more recently than the Knicks. All of that is now gone. 😔

That said, I will now congratulate the Knicks, as is dictated by the rules of civil society.

Congratulations, Knicks.

I shall speak of this no further.
Click to expand...
Geez, thanks for the begrudging congratulations. What’s the old saying, if you can’t say something nice… As for Dr. J, that’s just territorial business that any team would have pursued in their interests. The Nets screwed that deal up in the end.
 
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Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,748
22,603
113
RUPete90 said:
Geez, thanks for the begrudging congratulations. What’s the old saying, if you can’t say something nice… As for Dr. J, that’s just territorial business that any team would have pursued in their interests. The Nets screwed that deal up in the end.
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I DID say something nice! Nowhere does it say it has to be heartfelt.
 
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Caliknight

Caliknight

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Sep 21, 2001
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yesrutgers01 said:
Watching this series- it makes me wonder if Wemby got exposed now to the league. I watch him and think that while he is more mobile then most big men we have ever seen- the guy doesn't look like he would be in the league if he was only 6ft6. He doesn't seem to play very smart either.

The Spurs do have a talented team and they may win more but to be honest- I kind of see that team becoming Harper's team, not Wemby.
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What bugs would be in the league if they were 6’6”? Probably none we have seen in the NBA.
 
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yesrutgers01

Heisman
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122,566
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Caliknight said:
What bugs would be in the league if they were 6’6”? Probably none we have seen in the NBA.
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The point being on the Alien stuff and how the league has never seen a guy that big that can play like a guard.
He is just a tall skinny kid who is this good because he is taller than everyone else and has coordination.
 
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Bueller

Junior
Nov 28, 2025
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Boomer said he thinks Wemby is the dirtiest player in the NBA. I had seen Brunson limping but I didn't know it was from Wemby putting his foot in the spot where Brunson would land after making a jump. If Knicks had to play another game Brunson might not have been 100% .

On the flip side there was a lot of praise from multiple sources for Dylan Harper. Harper's star rising and Wemby's sinking
 
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NickRU714

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Aug 18, 2009
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Glad the Knicks fans finally got over their "home grown" ideology.
Buying a championship through FA and trading away draft picks and young players is the way to go.

It doesn't matter how the team is built as long as it gets the job done.


It is amusing how vehemently most were against trying to buy a championship (like the Nets tried).
Meanwhile they couldn't ship out the "Young Knicks" fast enough for better players to get a championship.
Somewhere Barret, Quickley and Toppin silently weep.


 
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RU0917

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Jul 21, 2025
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NickRU714 said:
Glad the Knicks fans finally got over their "home grown" ideology.
Buying a championship through FA and trading away draft picks and young players is the way to go.
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Did the Knicks even have a "home grown ideology?" I thought the book on the Knicks for years was that they were constantly chasing shiny objects and either whiffing (LeBron, KD) or giving up too much guys who were good but not quite good enough (Melo). Seems that the biggest thing that changed was showing a little more discipline in using picks (speaking of, congrats again to the Nets on the Bridges pick haul ;))/$$$ and prioritizing fit.
 
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RUschool

Heisman
Jan 23, 2004
49,932
14,012
78
RU0917 said:
Did the Knicks even have a "home grown ideology?" I thought the book on the Knicks for years was that they were constantly chasing shiny objects and either whiffing (LeBron, KD) or giving up too much guys who were good but not quite good enough (Melo). Seems that the biggest thing that changed was showing a little more discipline in using picks (speaking of, congrats again to the Nets on the Bridges pick haul ;))/$$$ and prioritizing fit.
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All the current Knicks starters were traded except Brunson who signed a free agent contract after the Knicks hired his father. The Knicks never got great draft picks. San Antonio always got lucky in the draft with first place picks with Wemby, Robinson and Duncan.

Knicks not favored at the beginning of the season, Knicks not favored at the beginning of the playoffs, Knicks not favored when they got to the championship series, and they weren’t even favored after winning the first game with Spurs.
 
Caliknight

Caliknight

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yesrutgers01 said:
The point being on the Alien stuff and how the league has never seen a guy that big that can play like a guard.
He is just a tall skinny kid who is this good because he is taller than everyone else and has coordination.
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LOL, yea, those are kind of great attributes in a basketball player.

Shaq would have been flipping burgers if he was 6'6". Same with Kareem Abdul Jabbar or any other center you can think of. What made them good started with their size. Without that they wouldn't have been anything. Wemby is very obviously the most talented center most people alive have seen play. I didn't see some of those older guys but none of us have seem anyone close to that talented at that size. Plus he's so young he's barely old enough to rent a car.

The only other guy is Jokic and he's shorter.
 
newell138

newell138

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
37,566
48,791
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yesrutgers01 said:
I think a celebration thread is in order.

I had lost interest in the NBA not long after the Ewing era and had some fun even watching the Kidd era for the Nets. After that, the league became something else and was no longer fun to watch.
This Knick team reminds me of those older era teams. I’m watch a skinny 6 foot dude posting out the alien, our star players giving sharp passes to others if they are not on their game. And when hot, just taking over a game.
I see a guy like KAT not score but fighting for the rebounds. Never give up and just play smash you in the mouth basketball. I hope this may be a start of the NBA getting back to being what it was.

what a run by these guys!
Click to expand...
same here, basically stopped watching when Ewing retired but this playoff run was what brought me back watching full games
 
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hiwater

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Aug 1, 2001
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yesrutgers01 said:
One of tge things that is cool is that this Knick team is very easy to like.
Click to expand...
I agree. There is not 1 miserable personality on that team. They were all a class act after the series also. Nobody was chirping or running down their appending during the entire post season.
 
cubuffsdoug_rivals

cubuffsdoug_rivals

Heisman
Apr 8, 2002
15,732
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RUschool said:
All the current Knicks starters were traded except Brunson who signed a free agent contract after the Knicks hired his father. The Knicks never got great draft picks. San Antonio always got lucky in the draft with first place picks with Wemby, Robinson and Duncan.

Knicks not favored at the beginning of the season, Knicks not favored at the beginning of the playoffs, Knicks not favored when they got to the championship series, and they weren’t even favored after winning the first game with Spurs.
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For next year, it's the same three teams (#1 OKC, #2 San Antonio, #3 Boston) in front of the Knicks to begin this year, who are favored again.

Power rankings for 2026 and for next year:
2026: #1 OKC, #2 San Antonio, #3 Boston, #4 Knicks
2027: #1 OKC, #2 San Antonio, #3 Boston, #4 Knicks

I get the OKC thing because they had major injuries during the playoffs, but San Antonio is questionable. I know people are saying Wemby is the face of the NBA, but he needs a "go to move" when times are tough. Also, he needs to grow up. That approach will hold him back until he can channel that energy into his game. SA need more Harper and less Fox to take that next step. SA coach is still inexperience as Brown coached circles around him. Now, Boston won a title 3 years ago off of fool's gold (3pt shooting). Since then, it has cost them when they couldn't adjust their game as the shot left them. Boston's coach, like Cleveland, is too caught up on analytics. Analytics is great for the regular season, but playoffs is more about heart, character, and will to win (see Knicks). That can't be measured by some stats.

My take for next year: co-#1 Knicks (defending champs)/OKC, #3 Detroit, #4 open
 
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Bueller

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hiwater said:
I agree. There is not 1 miserable personality on that team. They were all a class act after the series also. Nobody was chirping or running down their appending during the entire post season.
Click to expand...
As soon as the buzzer went off the first thing Brunson did was go over and hug the Spurs coach.

Knicks on Fallon tonight


 
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Bueller

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Wemby is tall but skinny. He's going to FAFO some day. Just a MMA kick or pivot elbow will fix his problem.

 
MADHAT1

MADHAT1

Heisman
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31,701
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yesrutgers01 said:
I started my Basketball fandom with Billy Paultz and Dr. J
Click to expand...
Started off a Knick fan Richie Guerin was my favorite player add Willie Naulls along with Kenny Sears and Jumping Johnny Green made me think they were the best.
No one could tell me Ray Felix wasn't a great center , but once Darrell Imhoff took his place , he became the man.
 
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AreYouNUTS

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
124,084
58,093
113
Knicks fan from the day I was born....was almost 6 for the '73 title so barely remember it...I'll be (hopefully) on a rooftop along The Canyon of Heroes come Thursday!!!
 
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seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
15,044
15,809
113
Even though my fandom had waned over years, Ive gotten back into watching them the last few seasons. Feel like I know this team even better than the Bernard or Ewing led teams, probably due to 24/7 coverage/socials, but a real likeable group. They sacrifice for each other. Still on a high after this win, never thought I'd see the day since I was 3 last time they won.
 
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