It's been over five decades since the New York Knicks captured their last NBA Championship, but the echoes of the past reverberate now more than ever. The drought, stretching back to the team's victorious 1973 season under the leadership of Hall of Famer Walt "Clyde" Frazier, forms a stark contrast to a modern Knicks team teeming with fresh promise and vigour.
Frazier, an emblematic figure in Knicks history, now serves as a television analyst for the team. His insights are invaluable, not only for his historical acumen but also for his candid assessment of the current roster. "I see the vibes. I see a lot of similarities with [our] championship teams, starting with the coach," Frazier observed. "[Tom Thibodeau] is a lot like Red Holzman. He holds the guys accountable, and they're defensive oriented, and the players actually like each other." Indeed, Frazier's nuanced comparison of Thibodeau to Holzman, the legendary coach of the '73 squad, signals optimism within the organization.
The Knicks are coming off a season characterized by marked progress. For the first time since 2013, they achieved a 50-win season. They advanced to the second round of the playoffs, pushing the Indiana Pacers to a grueling seven-game series. Central to this resurgence was Jalen Brunson, whose career-high averages of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists not only boosted team performance but also earned him a pivotal role within the squad. As Frazier put it, "We know, in this town, the expectations are always overwhelming, so to rise to the occasion his first two years and accept the challenge, catapulting the team, he's definitely got a chance to be one of the greatest Knicks ever, if not the greatest Knick ever."
The offseason brought additional intrigue with the acquisition of Mikal Bridges. This strategic move indicates the Knicks' commitment to fortifying their roster and building on last season’s momentum. The team’s sights are firmly set on replicating, if not surpassing, the successes of '73. While 24 years have passed since their last appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, and a quarter-century since their Finals appearance, the infusion of new talent and renewed spirit rekindles hopes of a triumphant return.
Notably, Jalen Brunson was inducted as the captain of the team, joining an elite company of Knicks leaders. Frazier, reflecting on Brunson's leadership, expressed, "I did a video -- I wasn't able to be at the induction when he was inducted as the captain — I told him, he reminds me a lot of Willis Reed. They're both lefties, they both have tenacious work ethic, they're always sharing and caring, and team-first concept. They're always thinking of the team, not themselves." Such high praise from a Knicks legend suggests Brunson embodies the qualities necessary to steer the team towards its lofty ambitions.
Despite the optimism, Frazier acknowledges the variables that could impact the Knicks' fortunes, particularly health. "I think this is going to be our year. Obviously, health is going to play a big factor into it. But if the Knicks can stay healthy, I think we can get back to our former grandeur," he remarked. This nod to the unpredictable nature of the sport underscores the delicate balance between potential and performance.
As the Knicks gear up for the new season, the confluence of historical legacy and contemporary promise creates an electrifying atmosphere. The aspirations of claiming another championship may seem daunting given the passage of time since their last, yet with leadership reminiscent of the past and a deeply talented roster, the narrative of the Knicks is poised for an exciting new chapter.