The New York Knicks are a legendary basketball club whose history is so thorny and unexpected that books could be written about it. The team went through many difficulties, victories, collapses, and disappointments, remaining loved in the city that never sleeps. In 1946, the New York Knicks became part of the Basketball Association of America.
The growing army of Knicks fans marked future achievements, which the club reached in the early 1970s under the leadership of famous legends:
- Willis Reed
- Walt Clyde Frazier
- Bill Bradley
Two Knicks championships in 1970 and 1973 marked the beginning of an era of success for the team, which paid a high price through selfless struggle, reliable defense, and a distinctive playing style in their beloved city. Let's explore the club's past and discover why the team's legendary players still appear on billboards and computers. When choosing an online casino to play such games, it’s essential to do it carefully, just like on https://payid-pokies.net/, where professional players share their experience and help you find the best site for online gambling.
The Golden Era of the New York Knicks
No experts could predict the Knicks' championships at the dawn of the club's appearance. However, in the first two decades, much effort was invested in the future fight for top places in the NBA. In the 1960s, the club's selection started working on gathering the most talented players. Knicks star players such as Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Earl Monroe, Dave DeBusschere, Willis Reed, and Bill Bradley became personalities.
Considering the Knicks' legacy, our experts cannot fail to remind you of the dominance in the 1972–73 season, when another victory over the Los Angeles Lakers brought the championship in the final part of the tournament. We can say with full responsibility that it was the club's golden era, with a robust defense built by Red Holzman. Get acquainted with the five best players of that team:
- Willis Reed: captain and team talisman, as well as 1970 Finals MVP
- Walt Frazier: leading point guard and assists leader
- Dave DeBusschere: versatile forward and defensive stronghold
- Bill Bradley: competent shooter and team tactician
- Earl Monroe: charismatic scorer and dribbling master
Knicks Rise and Fall: Period of Instability
The team significantly declined in the season following the second championship. In the 1980s, problems began, turning into several winless seasons, coaching changes, and weak play even with the same Knicks star players. Winning the draft lottery in 1985, when the Knicks selected Patrick Ewing first overall, did not help them reach a championship level. Later, this name was honored in the NBA Hall of Fame.
Analyzing the Knicks' legacy, specialists want to remind basketball fans of reaching the NBA Finals in 1994. However, the club suffered defeat to the Houston Rockets in 7 games, and again in 1999, losing to the San Antonio Spurs.
Since the 2000s, the team's rapid decline began, which Knicks fans associate with unsuccessful management, player selection, and a lack of thought-out strategy. Isiah Thomas became the general manager and also served as the coach. This period was remembered for scandals and disputes over signing contracts with insufficiently skilled players and losing draft picks.
A decade later, the Knicks continue their rebuild and are trying to reach a new level by signing the legendary Carmelo Anthony in 2011. However, the lack of managerial factors did not allow for building a decent team around the star. We will count the 2012-2013 season as a positive for the basketball club under Mike Woodson, when the Knicks won 54 games and participated in the second round of the playoffs.
Era of the Knicks Resurgence
Almost a decade later, the first hints of the legendary team's resurgence appeared in the 2020-2021 season. Working under the leadership of Tom Thibodeau, the club finished the season with 41 wins and 31 losses, which put them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. In this season, Julius Randle distinguished himself, also receiving the status of the most improved player. But a miracle did not happen in the playoffs, and the club lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
But the following seasons showed significant progress. New transfers brought Jalen Brunson to the team, which became a turning point in the summer of 2022. The player quickly became the Knicks' leader, gathering worthy partners around him. This helped the team in the 2022-2023 season reach the second round of the playoffs, where they still lost to the Miami Heat.
The team's management in the recent 2024-2025 years has focused on strengthening and adding depth to the roster. Today's version of the Knicks, along with RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes, continues to progress, showing good defensive results and a tactically competent approach to the game from coach Thibodeau. Let's recall the main results of the New York Knicks:
|
Season |
Achievement |
Coach |
|
1969–70 |
NBA Champion |
Red Holzman |
|
1972–73 |
NBA Champion |
Red Holzman |
|
1993–94 |
NBA Finals |
Pat Riley |
|
1998–99 |
NBA Finals |
Jeff Van Gundy |
|
2012–13 |
Second round playoff |
Mike Woodson |
|
2020–21 |
4th place in the conference |
Tom Thibodeau |
|
2022–23 |
Second round playoff |
Tom Thibodeau |
Prospects for the New York Knicks
The team's management successfully balances experience and youth, fielding a competitive roster for games. According to expert forecasts, the Knicks will take high positions in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This is also due to James Dolan's investments and the popularity of the metropolis itself, New York City.
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