2013: The Knicks Were This Good, And These Were Popular

Needless to say, it's been a long time since the New York Knicks have been this good. With their win against the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks secured 4th place in the Eastern Conference, giving them a Game 1 at home for the first time in quite some time.

How long ago was it, you ask? Great question, loyal reader. The last time the Knicks finished 4th or higher in the Eastern Conference was the 2013-14 season. Carmelo Anthony was in the prime of his career scoring over 27 points a game. He scored 13 more points a game than the next-highest ranked Knick which was...drumroll please...JR Smith.

It's been a while since that core of players were together. So long, in fact, that I found it necessary to jump in the time machine, and travel WAY back to the year of 2013. Here are a few things I found when I got there.

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1. I was a sophomore in high school.

Believe it or not, it's been roughly a third of my life since the Knicks were this good. Back when Melo and Stoudemire were running the show, all I had to worry about were algebra tests and hockey practice. Simpler times back then, I tell you.

2. The Marvel Cinematic Universe was still producing Iron Man movies.

Iron Man 3 was the highest-grossing film of 2013, with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hot on its tale at number two. The hottest single on the Billboard Music charts at the end of 2013? Thrift Shop by Macklemore.

3. "Selfie" and "Twerk" Were Added to the Dictionary

Miley Cyrus ruined a number of childhoods with this one. She also changed how everyone in America views construction equipment. That's a powerful album.

4. Two Major Celebrity Names Were "Cancelled"

Paula Deen was taken off of Food Network for racist remarks made on multiple occasions. Following that, Lance Armstrong admitted on national television that he had used performance-enhancing substances.

5. The NBA Was Getting Younger and More Talented

2nd Team All-Rookie? Some kid names Giannis with a Scrabble-worthy last name. Third team All-NBA? A 23-year old Damien Lillard. The NBA had budding young stars coming out of its ears.

It wasn't all young, though. Proudly representing the Western Conference in the All-Star Game? Kobe Bryant. 2013 may not have been too bad, after all.