The joy and communality of these champion Knicks

The vibes are good! Let’s keep it going, New York.

The championship run of the New York Knicks capped by Thursday’s parade and City Hall ceremony have given us joyful memories that will last a lifetime. We cheered a true team that played its heart out on a basketball court, rewarding stubbornly loyal fans and inspiring casual ones. Even those who never watched a game quickly picked up that this comeback team represented all of us trying to put up a win in our lives.

The victory became communal — in the city’s five boroughs, its surrounding suburbs and beyond — as we shared an unexpected moment of connection that transcended any sporting event.

No matter where you came from or when you arrived here the shared celebration of an inspiring, gritty team made you feel like you belonged. The diversity that is the heart of New York came together across generations and across the divides of ethnicity, race, creed, economic status and political leaning. The language of our emotions was universal.

One didn’t need a pricey seat at Madison Square Garden, when there were giant watch parties on city streets and in suburban backyards, to find others wanting to cheer on a team upfront in both its swagger and vulnerability. At the parade these Knicks embraced their fans, including coming off the floats to interact with them, crediting their energy for their own success.

NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson captured the essence of making it in a tough town, where there is no shortage of critics trying to take you down. “Somehow, someway, I knew we were gonna find a way to get this done,” said the resilient team captain on the steps of City Hall. Those who felt that too were amply rewarded for their faith, endurance and hard work led to a reward, as the Knicks reached the pinnacle of their sport.

No one’s immediate problems were solved by the Knicks’ trophies or parade. But what a delight for a city that for too long heard the sounds of bagpipes echoing sorrow and sirens raising fears to hear the collective roar of happiness and dance under the confetti. What we experienced is how communality can be built back. “Knicks in 5” is now part of our sports lore and also a reminder that you can get the job done.

There are no guarantees about when such a title triumph will happen again, or even if a repeat NBA championship can generate the same euphoria from winning after a 53-year drought. But, just maybe, the spontaneous engagement with each other, the politeness, the patience, the openness to strangers, have given us a new and desirable taste of what civic life, what wholeness can be like.

Let’s try to hold onto this feeling while we can.