I don’t know if you’re the type of person who sets clear/new goals at the start of a new year.
For me, it’s a bit blurry, because I believe life writes its own rules, and it’s hard to give things a fixed timeline. That’s why I picture the perfect dream scenario I’d like to achieve this year, but with the caveat that it probably won’t happen exactly “like that.” The motto is: You can give it a shot, but I won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out because, after all, it was just an exaggerated “dream scenario.”
Still, I do everything I can to make it happen because, in my opinion, there’s always a small chance. Honestly, I believe that this little part of me that truly believes in it is the deciding factor. It’s as if I plant a small seed in my mind, and with each passing month, it starts to sprout, takes root, and grows more and more. Because, crazily enough, it often turns out just as I imagined it.
What can I say? I didn’t even have to dream big yet in 2025, and one of my biggest dreams has already come true.
It all started with an email I received on January 4th, 2025: “NBA All-Star Voting Availability.” At first, I wanted to delete the email right away, thinking it was just general information for fans about the All-Star voting. Luckily, the word “Availability” made me curious enough to open it.
No joke, I read it ten times before I could actually believe it. The NBA had chosen me – to be one of the media members who gets to vote for the All-Star Starting Five. 50% of the votes come from the fans, 25% from current NBA players, and the remaining 25% from selected media members. The reserves are chosen by the head coaches.
If someone had told me this on New Year’s Eve, I would’ve started laughing for 100%. Why me? A German NBA columnist?!
So, here’s my message for you at the start of this year: Believe in yourself! Work on your dreams! You never know who’s watching and sees more in you, even if you don’t see it yourself.
I couldn’t see it yet, but my work is being noticed and appreciated. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the new year.
With immense gratitude and excitement, I’m now looking forward to the All-Star Weekend in February in San Francisco, where I’ll be present the whole time. Until then, I’ll burst my brain who I’ll vote for in my All-Star Starting Five. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts once my picks are published.
My first NBA game to cover this year, Knicks vs Bucks, three days ago. Why Knicks vs. Bucks? Both teams are ones I still can’t quite figure out – how and where their seasons will end. That’s why I had to take a closer look. Most of the time, both teams perform strongly, but then there are games here and there that make you question whether they can actually make a deep playoff run.
Arriving at MSG, I’m impressed every single time. No matter how many games I’ve already had the privilege to cover, every little detail fascinates me all over again.
From the moment I pick up my credentials at the media entrance and, once again, see that I have locker room access, I feel a wave of excitement. In that moment, I plan whom I’ll interview. Since I missed to see Ariel Hukporti at my last Knicks game, he was my target for this one.
Three hours before tip-off, I head to the court to watch some warm-up shootings. You learn so much about a player when you take the time to observe closely.
How does he snap his wrist? Is he engaging his legs properly? How does he handle a missed shot? Does he listen to music? Are his shoes tied properly? Some leave their shoes untied and barely sweat, while others are “all in” and completely drenched. What drills does he run? How many free throws does he take in between?
From silence, where every spoken word is notable in an empty arena, slowly more and more people arrive on the court. Dancers rehearse their upcoming routine, the anthem singer practices, and the trailer for the game gets tested.
Then the music starts, and the first fans enter. The quietness turns into a sea of voices.
I can’t even describe the deep joy I feel in those moments. So many people coming together to celebrate a game and share their love and passion for basketball.
105 minutes before tip-off comes the first press conference: first the home team, then the visiting team. On my way back to the court, I run into Dame, who’s heading to his warm-up routine. All the players I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with, just some take as much time as Dame to listen carefully and give honest answers, or get an advice from him.
In today’s world, where allegations made right away and fake news spread so quickly, it’s so important to me, to look closely and pay attention to details. So, today’s shoutout goes to Dame.
Photo by Alae Marhagui/@bucketsngoals
It was clear that the Knicks were under a lot of pressure to protect their home court after a tough blowout loss to OKC at the Garden (126:101) just two days prior. Even though the message was to bounce back after another tough loss to OKC seven days earlier (107:117).
The Bucks learned this the hard way. A blowout, this time in the Knicks’ favor – 140:106. First, Giannis was out sick for a few days, then Dame. Now both are back in action, but Gary Trent Jr. is out due to illness. He’s become an essential part of the Bucks’ guard rotation. On top of that, it’s clear how much Giannis’ cut on his right pinky finger is bothering him. He suffered the injury on January 6th, 2025, during the game against the Raptors while attempting to block RJ Barrett. The wound required three stitches. Giannis returned to the court after a short time in the locker room, secured his first triple-double of the season, and led the Bucks to an impressive 128:104 victory.
However, the injury seems to be why we’re now seeing Giannis almost exclusively dunk with his left hand. You could often see him looking at his right hand throughout the game. His field goal percentage that day was just 47.6% (10 of 21).
By the third quarter, it was clear there wouldn’t be a Bucks comeback that night. This left me wondering – Can the Bucks really make it to the Eastern Conference Finals in their current state? On that note, wishing Giannis a speedy recovery – hoping his finger heals completely soon.
As for the Knicks – I have to say they won the trade around Randle and Towns, but they still need a back up at the center position. Let’s see what Tom Thibodeau has in store for the playoffs – and hopefully, he doesn’t burn out his starting five again beforehand.
Which brings me to Ariel Hukporti – give him more minutes!
I asked Thibodeau in the postgame press conference what he thinks of Ariel based on what he’s seen so far. He gave him a lot of flowers – how versatile he is, how he’s a strong locker room guy, and how much potential he has. So, let’s go!
Fittingly, I was able to catch up with Ariel in the locker room afterward. That interview will be out in the coming days – stay tuned.
Until then,
Your Flight Girl
