It's a year full of hope and expectation for New York Knicks fans, who are eager to see their team return to the pinnacle of basketball glory. The Knicks haven't lifted the NBA Championship trophy since 1973, a 51-year drought that seems increasingly likely to come to an end, according to some expert voices.
Walt "Clyde" Frazier, the Hall of Famer who led the Knicks to their last championship, now serves as a television analyst for the team. Reflecting on the current squad, Frazier sees parallels with the championship team he once captained. "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 stated. Such an endorsement from a Knicks legend adds weight to the growing optimism surrounding the team.
Last season, the Knicks made it to the second round of the playoffs, taking the Indiana Pacers to a hard-fought seven games. They also notched 50 wins for the first time since 2013, signaling a resurgence that fans have been long anticipating. One of the standout performers was Jalen Brunson, who averaged career-highs of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game. Brunson has emerged as a cornerstone for the Knicks and was recently inducted as the team captain.
Frazier, who wasn't able to attend Brunson's induction ceremony, recorded a video message for the occasion, drawing comparisons between Brunson and another Knicks great, Willis Reed. "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."
There’s a renewed sense of unity and purpose in the Knicks' camp, something that has been in short supply during the franchise's two-decade-long struggle to return to prominence. The acquisition of Mikal Bridges during the summer further bolsters the roster, adding another layer of talent and depth. It has been 24 years since their last appearance in the Eastern Conference finals and a quarter-century since their last Finals appearance. This context makes their current resurgence even more poignant.
Frazier couldn't be more bullish about the future. "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. The emphasis on staying healthy cannot be overstated, given the grueling nature of an NBA season and the physical toll it takes on players.
In a city where sports expectations are always sky-high, the pressure on this Knicks squad is immense. "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 noted about Brunson's impact and potential to secure his legacy.
As the new season approaches, there's cautious optimism and a palpable excitement in New York. The Knicks have assembled a team that embodies grit, determination, and a sense of camaraderie that Frazier hasn't seen in years. The blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents like Brunson and Bridges represents the perfect storm for a franchise eager to reclaim its storied history.
Time will tell if the Knicks can convert this potential into tangible success. But for now, the echoes of the past and the promise of the future have aligned to set the stage for what could be a defining chapter in NYC basketball history.