Even though the calendar turned over, I knew that it would be the same story for the Knicks.  You have to remember that I try to draw the cartoon as far ahead of time as I can, but like many others in the past, this one rested on the outcome of a game (thankfully, the Knicks did in fact lose) and those are the ones which you really have to worry about whether you have your joke or not.

 

I wanted to show the aftermath of The Ref’s New Year’s party - streamers everywhere, an empty bottle of champagne, etc.  I especially love the streamer on his nose and the uncurled noisemaker.  The dip looks a little ripe though, but I wanted a contrast to the chips.  The wooden spoon and pot is actually an inside joke in my family as every New Year’s Eve just after midnight we bang pots and pans outside to ring in the new year.