It’s unusual to be rooting for other teams this time of the year.

Usually, either the Celtics or Bruins are still playing. Or, at least, the Red Sox are still relevant. But this year, they’re 0-for-3.

The Celtics crumbled like a cookie at the sight of Joel Embiid, and coughed up a 3-1 series lead to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Bruins lost to the resurgent Buffalo Sabres in six games. And while I’d have been happy to stay with the Sabres — as far as they went — the Canadiens made sure their dream ended early.

And we know about the Red Sox. There are too many holes in those Sox, and they stink besides that.

So, in a weird sort of way, the Patriots — who weren’t anywhere near the stadium for their final competitive game — have us all absolutely stoked thanks to receiver A.J. Brown.

As John Lennon said 46 years ago, “strange days, indeed. Most peculiar, mama!”

This means following two league finals involving teams I barely know. I’m ashamed to say I do not know the New York Knicks the way I should. I find them detestable — right down there with the Lakers — but other than Jalen Brunson, I don’t know any of them. And the only reason I know, or even care, about him is that I covered his father, Rick, when he was at Salem High.

As for the Spurs, well, all I can say is that I know the big guy somewhat (Victor Wembanyama, but I had to Google it). Like most people, I thought Oklahoma City would be in the finals, so I didn’t bother learning anything about San Antonio.

The Knicks could win this thing Saturday night, but let’s hope to the high heavens they don’t. As I said earlier, I despise them. I can’t believe they rallied from 29 points down to win Wednesday, or that San Antonio let them. The Spurs are the latest team (and that would include the Celtics) to be caught admiring a big lead.

If there are two teams in the NHL about whom I could care less than the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights, I don’t know who they would be. I used to at least check VGK scores when ex-Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy was behind the bench, but Vegas fired him, so . . .

But I took a renewed liking for the NHL during the last month of the regular season, and that has extended into the playoffs. It’s been said many times that nothing compares to Stanley Cup hockey, and there just may be something to that. The Canes lead the series, 3-2, and all five games are now classics, with back-and-forth action, great goaltending, and high drama.

I had to think long and hard about this series. Unlike the NBA Finals, in which I’d even root for Duke over the Knicks, neither hockey team generates much passion in me. But I can’t just watch. I must have a dog in the hunt, and this dog’s name is Carolina. First, the Hurricanes used to be the New England Whalers and they played in Boston. Second, they beat the Canadiens, and any team that knocks them out jumps to the top, in my estimation. And third, I don’t like the way Vegas treated (and is still treating) my guy “Butch” Cassidy.

Not only did the Knights fire Cassidy, but now they won’t even let him interview with the teams who have contacted him. Why did they fire him if he was so good?

Ordinarily, these series don’t register with me because I’m too busy living and dying with the Sox by now. But the Sox aren’t exactly living and dying with me. They found too many of this year’s starters in the bargain basement rack, and won’t extend themselves in any direction to get players who might actually make a difference. Their medical staff makes Drs. Howard, Fine and Howard seem like the heads of orthopedic surgery at Mass. General. Ticket prices aren’t going down. And the organization is counting too much on the ambiance of the ballpark instead of the ability of the ballplayers.

So, let the NBA and NHL have their days up here. The Red Sox have certainly seen better ones.

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