Friday, May 8th, 1970. A 16 year old me on a media blackout (easier then, stay at home, don't answer the telephone, tell parents not to tell me anything my friends say on the phone as they would be trying to ruin it for me!), because Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Championship vs the Lakers is on delay in New York & won't be played on the TV until 12:01 A.M. May 9th. So at approximately 2:30 in the morning, I (mostly silently) celebrated the first Knicks NBA Championship. I've carried that feeling with me forever!
Now, last night was a wholly different feeling. In many ways similar to that feeling in 1970, but also much different. But as someone who originally thought the NBA Cup was simply a gimmick when introduced 3 years ago, my opinion has drastically changed. Now, certainly the Knicks winning their first title (whatever it's value in the eyes of the public is) since 1973 has a lot to do with it. But, watching these games & the intensity that players from all teams played with, showed the importance that all players put on winning the NBA Cup. I've already ordered both tees, the hat & a crew sweatshirt that's on Amazon, as this is certainly worth remembering! lol
Now Jon has reported the exploits of the various Knicks stars of the game succinctly, so I won't rehash. The one thing that did strike me after the game was that Yabusele saw zero minutes in a game where early on the need for some size was evident. I think it's obvious that he's going to be moved, as they signed him before they hired Brown & Brown doesn't feel he's a fit. Bey would be a great fit if Leon could swing it, so we'll see!
Now, don't celebrate like it's 1999 (apologies to Prince)! Instead, celebrate like it's 1970, 1973 or 2025! #LGK
I agree, Yabu will be dealt but I give him credit. He rooted for his teammates and celebrated as if he played 40 minutes. I am still holding out hope against hope that the Knicks can figure out a package to get Donte without giving up Deuce as he'd be the perfect addition to the bench. But I just don't think its possible.
As much as I love Donte, acquiring him rather than getting a big seems somewhat redundant. Assuming Shamet will be back Jan/February, there wouldn't be enough minutes for both him and Donte & each would probably suffer because of it! And their games are very similar with Shamet being the better defender! Bey or a PF of the like makes a lot more sense to me!
I was also at that 1999 game—there to thank the Knicks for an improbable season and dream about what would come next. I never imagined "what comes next" would take over 26 years, ushering in an era of lousy basketball that seemed endless until the Prince that was Promised finally arrived.
I remember the 2018 draft vividly. I hoped the Knicks would acquire a second, lower first-round pick (I couldn't advocate for him at #8) to draft Jalen Brunson, the reigning College Player of the Year, finally solving our never-ending search for a point guard. When he dropped to the second round, I was certain the Knicks would find a way to acquire a pick to take him.
Finally, in the summer of 2022, the Knicks signed the Prince that was Promised. Jalen Brunson immediately went to work changing the culture of our team. While last night was not the culmination—we still need to win the NBA title—it was incredibly exciting to watch the Knicks raise a championship trophy. Like the old Holiday Festival days, this title, while not the "whole shebang," is still a title, and I will happily take it.
If they want to win the entire thing, the Knicks will still need to improve the bench, but we can discuss that tomorrow. Today, I am simply going to celebrate the champion New York Knicks.
I’m 38 and this was the first time I’ve seen any of my teams (Knicks, Mets, Jets) hoist a trophy with the league commissioner. It was pretty cool.
Also, I think I’m kinda sick in the head, because when Brunson does his shtick where he starts rattling off teammates names before accepting the MVP trophy (like a true mensch btw), I was half expecting him to say “your salaries have been aggregated and you are now Milwaukee Bucks!”
When you get old and get frustrated by the present you dwell in the past. Not today. Today you relish a team that left their hearts and souls out on the basketball court and infused you with hope for this year. They may not win it all, but damn it, there won’t be anymore game ones against Indiana. Not this team.
A few observations. Watching Brunson post game after Orlando, I couldn’t believe his joy and enthusiasm for playing under Mike Brown. Josh Hart doubled down on it last night.
Wasn’t it great how Brunson made sure KAT was holding that trophy together with him. My apologies, KAT wants to win and he played his injured butt off. It is apparent that this team now sees they need each other to win. If they believe it, and they do, we have a shot.
Jordan Clarkson may not be my cup of tea on any given night, but damn the man is unflappable. No fear.
We will be honored for the next five-ten years to be able to watch OKC and the Suns. But right now it’s about The New York Knicks.
Great article as usual, Jon. And you nailed it in your monologue. No, it’s not an NBA title. But it’s something that every team in the league was trying to get and we got it. I’m a proud fan today and have some extra hope for the rest of the season.
Agree. We have a backup ball handler. We need a reliable big that gets us say 8/8 and rim protection. I love Mitch but before last night saw him as a potential trade asset. After last night, I would only part with him for something obvious. But of course we either need him to agree to an extension or we need to get something in return before he leaves. He played very smart last night.
I think the Knicks still need a big guard who can play defense and pass and shoot a bit. Kolek played great last night but he is tiny like Jalen and in a seven-game series, size is very important. If the Knicks did not make any other moves, their top three ball handlers are all 6'2" soaking wet.
I hear you but just thinking about this from a value perspective on a trade. Are we gonna get a tall point guard who is quality? Jose A doesn’t have the height and Donte either won’t get traded to us and or isn’t a point guard. Chris Paul should not be on our list. So I’m not sure what’s left for this season if we want to upgrade our second team ball handler with height.
I view the bigger size issue as size near the hoop, especially when we have KAT at the 5 (Kornet killed us last night). We have perimeter defenders with Bridges and OG at 6’ 8” but lack an interior defender/rebounder to pair with KAT. Yabu is obviously being moved and we I can wait until 2027 for Donte when his contract is up.
I do wish the Cup championship game counted for something in the standings. If the NBA is going to change anything about this, it should be that. I doesn't make sense to have a game that hard fought and competitive ultimately not matter for the standings. There should be more at stake than just bragging rights. Seeing KAT go out with the calf thing almost made me apoplectic. Hope he and Hart are OK.
But last night was still #meaningful in this regard. On a national stage, shorthanded (get well soon, Deuce and Shamet!), we went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the West and won a thing. We proved something - not just that we're good for an East team. We can compete with anyone. It felt like a statement. And it made me more excited for what's to come.
That shot that Amazon got of Tyler kolek sprinting to the scorers tables after Brunson committed the backcourt violation in the fourth. So hilarious I thought jb was getting benched
It made me feel VERY encouraged for a 7 game series against Detroit that Mike brown is experimenting with ways to counter the Brunson full court press… I guess Tyler is an option??
Great win! Spurs played awesome too just a little green for when the waters get deep.
So pre Covid I collected and framed NY championship tix. Yesterday I looked at the 94 tix which were the closest I had of Knick fanhood and sighed. I said I had a good feeling about last night and boy it was a nauseating watch even in the last 2 minutes. Thank you Knicks . Faith justified. As I said to my wife Brunson best and favorite Knick since Clyde. One more thing. Keep Kolek. He is blooming like a Rose( get it)..
I was surprisingly moved by the victory. And I think part of it was the way we won. I spent a lot of the first half thinking the Spurs were too big, too athletic and too talented. Jalen was having a good game but not his A game (Castle played some of the best D on him I have seen). Same for Kat. Mikal was off. I was happy and surprised that we did not let go of the rope and generally kept ourselves close enough to hope.
The way we gritted out the second half just made me proud. And the way both sides competed felt like a real championship game, as did the joy the Knicks displayed upon winning. So I, for one, did take joy from this championship even if it was not the big one.
My 17 year old son, a super fan since we shoved him into a STAT jersey as a toddler, was hyped up, yelling that he’d never seen the Knicks win anything and how cool that was. Meanwhile I’m right next to him, eyes all misted up seeing this squad lift a trophy and getting swamped with confetti. For sure one of the best nights as a Knicks fan of the last 25 years. LFGK and LFGKFS!
Before the game, all I could think about was that I hope no one gets injured. For that very reason these games should count as wins and losses. You have college athletes that skip bowl games to make sure they are healthy for the NFL draft. I'm surprised we haven't seen NBA teams sit their best players. I guess this NBA Cup has really caught on.
For those who may be interested, foco.com has 5 NBA Cup player bobbleheads available (Brunson, Hart, Bridges, KAT ,OG) along with a Brunson NBA Cup MVP bobblehead!
Friday, May 8th, 1970. A 16 year old me on a media blackout (easier then, stay at home, don't answer the telephone, tell parents not to tell me anything my friends say on the phone as they would be trying to ruin it for me!), because Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Championship vs the Lakers is on delay in New York & won't be played on the TV until 12:01 A.M. May 9th. So at approximately 2:30 in the morning, I (mostly silently) celebrated the first Knicks NBA Championship. I've carried that feeling with me forever!
Now, last night was a wholly different feeling. In many ways similar to that feeling in 1970, but also much different. But as someone who originally thought the NBA Cup was simply a gimmick when introduced 3 years ago, my opinion has drastically changed. Now, certainly the Knicks winning their first title (whatever it's value in the eyes of the public is) since 1973 has a lot to do with it. But, watching these games & the intensity that players from all teams played with, showed the importance that all players put on winning the NBA Cup. I've already ordered both tees, the hat & a crew sweatshirt that's on Amazon, as this is certainly worth remembering! lol
Now Jon has reported the exploits of the various Knicks stars of the game succinctly, so I won't rehash. The one thing that did strike me after the game was that Yabusele saw zero minutes in a game where early on the need for some size was evident. I think it's obvious that he's going to be moved, as they signed him before they hired Brown & Brown doesn't feel he's a fit. Bey would be a great fit if Leon could swing it, so we'll see!
Now, don't celebrate like it's 1999 (apologies to Prince)! Instead, celebrate like it's 1970, 1973 or 2025! #LGK
I co-sign your sneaking suspicion on Yabu. And I'm like you on the Cup...100% care more now that they won :)
I agree, Yabu will be dealt but I give him credit. He rooted for his teammates and celebrated as if he played 40 minutes. I am still holding out hope against hope that the Knicks can figure out a package to get Donte without giving up Deuce as he'd be the perfect addition to the bench. But I just don't think its possible.
As much as I love Donte, acquiring him rather than getting a big seems somewhat redundant. Assuming Shamet will be back Jan/February, there wouldn't be enough minutes for both him and Donte & each would probably suffer because of it! And their games are very similar with Shamet being the better defender! Bey or a PF of the like makes a lot more sense to me!
I was also at that 1999 game—there to thank the Knicks for an improbable season and dream about what would come next. I never imagined "what comes next" would take over 26 years, ushering in an era of lousy basketball that seemed endless until the Prince that was Promised finally arrived.
I remember the 2018 draft vividly. I hoped the Knicks would acquire a second, lower first-round pick (I couldn't advocate for him at #8) to draft Jalen Brunson, the reigning College Player of the Year, finally solving our never-ending search for a point guard. When he dropped to the second round, I was certain the Knicks would find a way to acquire a pick to take him.
Finally, in the summer of 2022, the Knicks signed the Prince that was Promised. Jalen Brunson immediately went to work changing the culture of our team. While last night was not the culmination—we still need to win the NBA title—it was incredibly exciting to watch the Knicks raise a championship trophy. Like the old Holiday Festival days, this title, while not the "whole shebang," is still a title, and I will happily take it.
If they want to win the entire thing, the Knicks will still need to improve the bench, but we can discuss that tomorrow. Today, I am simply going to celebrate the champion New York Knicks.
Well said as usual DBN. One more step to go, but so far, so good.
I’m 38 and this was the first time I’ve seen any of my teams (Knicks, Mets, Jets) hoist a trophy with the league commissioner. It was pretty cool.
Also, I think I’m kinda sick in the head, because when Brunson does his shtick where he starts rattling off teammates names before accepting the MVP trophy (like a true mensch btw), I was half expecting him to say “your salaries have been aggregated and you are now Milwaukee Bucks!”
LMAO.
Best compliment I can give this team right now? I'm not actively worried about Giannis atm.
When you get old and get frustrated by the present you dwell in the past. Not today. Today you relish a team that left their hearts and souls out on the basketball court and infused you with hope for this year. They may not win it all, but damn it, there won’t be anymore game ones against Indiana. Not this team.
A few observations. Watching Brunson post game after Orlando, I couldn’t believe his joy and enthusiasm for playing under Mike Brown. Josh Hart doubled down on it last night.
Wasn’t it great how Brunson made sure KAT was holding that trophy together with him. My apologies, KAT wants to win and he played his injured butt off. It is apparent that this team now sees they need each other to win. If they believe it, and they do, we have a shot.
Jordan Clarkson may not be my cup of tea on any given night, but damn the man is unflappable. No fear.
We will be honored for the next five-ten years to be able to watch OKC and the Suns. But right now it’s about The New York Knicks.
Feels pretty good doesn’t it.
They are CLEARLY bought into Brown.
Also, missed you at the TH last night!
Great article as usual, Jon. And you nailed it in your monologue. No, it’s not an NBA title. But it’s something that every team in the league was trying to get and we got it. I’m a proud fan today and have some extra hope for the rest of the season.
Thanks JG.
Tyler the Creator, who knew you had a 14/5/5 game in you last night?!
Do they hang the banner home on Friday?
Fuck Embid.
The banner should actually just say "Fuck Embiid"
Only if Mitch pulls it up
done and done
Hope this puts the Alvarado rumors to rest and we focus on adding a big for toughness, interior defense, and rebounding
Agree. We have a backup ball handler. We need a reliable big that gets us say 8/8 and rim protection. I love Mitch but before last night saw him as a potential trade asset. After last night, I would only part with him for something obvious. But of course we either need him to agree to an extension or we need to get something in return before he leaves. He played very smart last night.
I think the Knicks still need a big guard who can play defense and pass and shoot a bit. Kolek played great last night but he is tiny like Jalen and in a seven-game series, size is very important. If the Knicks did not make any other moves, their top three ball handlers are all 6'2" soaking wet.
I hear you but just thinking about this from a value perspective on a trade. Are we gonna get a tall point guard who is quality? Jose A doesn’t have the height and Donte either won’t get traded to us and or isn’t a point guard. Chris Paul should not be on our list. So I’m not sure what’s left for this season if we want to upgrade our second team ball handler with height.
I view the bigger size issue as size near the hoop, especially when we have KAT at the 5 (Kornet killed us last night). We have perimeter defenders with Bridges and OG at 6’ 8” but lack an interior defender/rebounder to pair with KAT. Yabu is obviously being moved and we I can wait until 2027 for Donte when his contract is up.
We need a Luke Kornet
I do wish the Cup championship game counted for something in the standings. If the NBA is going to change anything about this, it should be that. I doesn't make sense to have a game that hard fought and competitive ultimately not matter for the standings. There should be more at stake than just bragging rights. Seeing KAT go out with the calf thing almost made me apoplectic. Hope he and Hart are OK.
But last night was still #meaningful in this regard. On a national stage, shorthanded (get well soon, Deuce and Shamet!), we went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the West and won a thing. We proved something - not just that we're good for an East team. We can compete with anyone. It felt like a statement. And it made me more excited for what's to come.
Make it a tiebreaker!!! How is this so hard!
That shot that Amazon got of Tyler kolek sprinting to the scorers tables after Brunson committed the backcourt violation in the fourth. So hilarious I thought jb was getting benched
It made me feel VERY encouraged for a 7 game series against Detroit that Mike brown is experimenting with ways to counter the Brunson full court press… I guess Tyler is an option??
Great win! Spurs played awesome too just a little green for when the waters get deep.
So pre Covid I collected and framed NY championship tix. Yesterday I looked at the 94 tix which were the closest I had of Knick fanhood and sighed. I said I had a good feeling about last night and boy it was a nauseating watch even in the last 2 minutes. Thank you Knicks . Faith justified. As I said to my wife Brunson best and favorite Knick since Clyde. One more thing. Keep Kolek. He is blooming like a Rose( get it)..
I see what you did there Mike.
Mitchell Robinson dominating Wemby in the fourth was a lovely viewing experience.
I was surprisingly moved by the victory. And I think part of it was the way we won. I spent a lot of the first half thinking the Spurs were too big, too athletic and too talented. Jalen was having a good game but not his A game (Castle played some of the best D on him I have seen). Same for Kat. Mikal was off. I was happy and surprised that we did not let go of the rope and generally kept ourselves close enough to hope.
The way we gritted out the second half just made me proud. And the way both sides competed felt like a real championship game, as did the joy the Knicks displayed upon winning. So I, for one, did take joy from this championship even if it was not the big one.
It is a real championship. KAT said it. I am still surprised that fans are skeptical when clearly the players are all in.
"Surprisingly moved" is an accurate description for how I felt as well. And it was 100% how we won.
This was the 1999 NBA Finals Revenge Game!
We can “Party like it’s 1999”, at least for a day.
My 17 year old son, a super fan since we shoved him into a STAT jersey as a toddler, was hyped up, yelling that he’d never seen the Knicks win anything and how cool that was. Meanwhile I’m right next to him, eyes all misted up seeing this squad lift a trophy and getting swamped with confetti. For sure one of the best nights as a Knicks fan of the last 25 years. LFGK and LFGKFS!
Before the game, all I could think about was that I hope no one gets injured. For that very reason these games should count as wins and losses. You have college athletes that skip bowl games to make sure they are healthy for the NFL draft. I'm surprised we haven't seen NBA teams sit their best players. I guess this NBA Cup has really caught on.
For those who may be interested, foco.com has 5 NBA Cup player bobbleheads available (Brunson, Hart, Bridges, KAT ,OG) along with a Brunson NBA Cup MVP bobblehead!