It's been 51 years since the New York Knicks last walked away with the NBA Championship trophy, a stretch of time that has seen the franchise longing for those fleeting moments of glory. The 1973 Knicks were led by the indomitable Hall of Famer Walt "Clyde" Frazier, a name that still resonates with Knicks fans for his on-court heroics and his current role as a television analyst for the team.
Last season, the Knicks showed glimpses of their former magnificence, reaching the second round of the playoffs and extending the series to seven games against the Indiana Pacers. This tough contest hinted at a potential resurgence, bolstered by the exceptional performance of Jalen Brunson, who averaged career-highs of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists. The Knicks notched up 50 wins for the first time in a decade, a victory that hasn't been felt since 2013.
During the offseason, the Knicks added Mikal Bridges to their roster, signaling their intent to fortify their lineup for the upcoming campaign. Bridges' arrival has kindled hopes among fans and analysts alike, with many looking forward to what this could mean for the team moving forward. It has been 24 years since the Knicks last made an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, and a quarter-century since their last run to the Finals. Clearly, expectations are mounting.
Perhaps the most stirring endorsement comes from Frazier himself, who drew parallels between the current team and the championship squads of the past. "I see the vibes. I see a lot of similarities with [our] championship teams, starting with the coach. [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," Frazier commented. His optimism doesn't end there, as he added, "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."
The Knicks seem to be on the precipice of something noteworthy, and Jalen Brunson's leadership is central to that equation. Recently inducted as the team captain, Brunson has distinguished himself not only through his impressive statistics but also his embodiment of a team-first mentality — qualities reminiscent of another Knicks legend, Willis Reed. Frazier, who stood alongside Reed during those halcyon days, sees shades of the former captain in Brunson. "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," said Frazier.
In a city where sports can feel almost like a religion, the pressure is perennially high. Knicks fans are no strangers to high expectations and the burden they place on their team. "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," Frazier remarked about Brunson.
The Knicks have shown that they are a team on the rise. With strategic offseason additions, a promising playoff run behind them, and a leadership structure that harkens back to their glory days, there is considerable optimism. The echoes of past triumphs seem to reverberate in the halls of Madison Square Garden, amplified by voices like Frazier's who see a lot to be hopeful about this season. Should the stars align and the roster maintain its health, the Knicks might just rewrite their recent history and return to the upper echelons of the NBA. Only time will tell if this storied franchise can indeed recapture its former grandeur.