It's been 51 long years since the New York Knicks last celebrated an NBA Championship victory, a moment forever etched in the franchise's storied history. The 1973 championship team, spearheaded by Hall of Famer Walt "Clyde" Frazier, remains a touchstone for the organization's glory days. Frazier, now a familiar voice as a television analyst for the Knicks, reminisces about that pivotal era while casting a hopeful eye on the current squad's potential.
After a season that saw the Knicks make it to the second round of the playoffs, taking the Indiana Pacers to a thrilling seven-game series, there's a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the team. Last season also marked a milestone, as the Knicks achieved 50 wins for the first time since 2013. This notable resurgence has been fueled, in no small part, by the stellar performance of Jalen Brunson.
Brunson, who averaged career-highs of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists last season, has quickly become a linchpin for the Knicks. His contributions were recognized as he was inducted as the captain of the team, a role fraught with expectation and history. Frazier sees in Brunson qualities reminiscent of Knicks legend Willis Reed.
"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," Frazier said.
The parallel drawn between Brunson and Reed is no small compliment. Reed, a cornerstone of the Knicks' last championship run, exemplified leadership and resilience—traits that Brunson appears to embody with his indefatigable work ethic and team-first mentality.
Over the summer, the Knicks made strategic moves to bolster their roster, most notably acquiring Mikal Bridges. This addition has only intensified the growing belief that the team is on the cusp of something special.
"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 observed.
Coach Tom Thibodeau's rigorous approach and emphasis on defense have indeed drawn comparisons to the legendary Red Holzman, who orchestrated the Knicks' championship tactics in the early '70s. Thibodeau's ability to foster a cohesive, supportive team environment has not gone unnoticed by players and analysts alike.
The rigors of an NBA season and the omnipresent specter of injuries are undeniable factors that could impact the Knicks' ambitions. However, Frazier remains optimistic about the team's prospects.
"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 optimism is shared among fans who have long endured the heartaches and near-misses that have characterized the Knicks' decades-long championship drought. The team’s last appearance in the Eastern Conference finals was 24 years ago, and it has been a full quarter-century since their last Finals appearance. Yet, there's a palpable sense that this team, under Thibodeau's guidance and with emerging stars like Brunson, is poised to make history anew.
As Frazier aptly noted, "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."
It's a lofty aspiration, but one not beyond reach for Jalen Brunson, who continues to draw inspiration from the legends who paved the way for him. With the team’s recent successes and strategic acquisitions, the New York Knicks might just be on the brink of recapturing the glory that has eluded them for over half a century.