Aw, man.  I know that song is about two lovers, but I'll be honest--that's what I consider myself and watching basketball to be.  And the separation anxiety that this song tells of I know only too well.

All season long, I felt like the Knicks were a lovely song in a major key; the early struggle leading to the long winning streak, the addition of Melo (although there were some minor sevenths thrown in there at the loss of Gallo, Wil, et al), and the first playoff appearance in years.  Then it faded away, and I'm left with a minor dirge.

What will happen to me if there is no league?  Will I only be sated by KD destroying people in pickup games, Deron & Co balling overseas, and the random picture of Amare smiling in a trendy outfit?  That's like trading out Coltrane for Kenny G.

I need to see Shumpert and Jorts develop in the summer league, preseason, and spare minutes throughout the year.  Will it happen?

I need to see Amare, Melo, and MDA co-exist for the first time together for a full year.  Will it happen?

I need to see Landry continue to develop his game and bounce back strong from a late-season fade.  Will it happen?

I need to see TD DWTDD.  Will it happen?

I need to see the new Garden in person, but at a Knicks game, not a Rangers game.  Will it happen?

I need to see a Knick bench without Eddy Curry lingering nearby.  Will it happen?

Sadly, it seems the answer to all of the above questions is no.  So what can I do?

- Watch paint dry.

- Stare at the corner of my walls.

- Do actual work for grad school.

- Watch baseball and football.

- Play the new NBA2K endlessly.

- Teach my dog Clyde to rhyme words at appropriate times.

I suppose I'll make it through, as we all will.  But it sucks, like a lot.

Any other suggestions of things to do in the meantime (the in-between time)?

I've suddenly got 82 evenings free, it looks like.