As the New York Knicks prepare for another season, they carry with them the weight of over half a century of longing for another NBA Championship. It has been 51 long years since the Knicks last lifted the coveted trophy, a victory that still echoes in the memories of die-hard fans and echoes through Madison Square Garden. The 1973 team's triumph was spearheaded by the legendary Walt "Clyde" Frazier, who now serves as a television analyst for today's Knicks.
The Knicks are entering the new season on the back of a commendable playoff run where they reached the second round, stretching the Indiana Pacers to seven grueling games. This recent success has rekindled hope among fans and players alike. Last season saw Jalen Brunson stepping up to the plate in a big way, averaging career-highs of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists, a performance that revitalized the team's offense and brought a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
Brunson's exceptional season didn't go unnoticed. Frazier, a living legend and an authority on Knicks' lore, has heaped praise on the rising star. "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. Such an endorsement from a Hall of Famer speaks volumes about Brunson's potential and the heights he could reach with this team.
Frazier sees more than just talent in this current Knicks squad. He sees a chemistry and camaraderie reminiscent of the championship teams he was once part of. "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. This comparison to Red Holzman, who guided the Knicks to their championships, offers a beacon of hope for the fans yearning for a return to glory.
The Knicks have made significant moves to bolster their chances, including acquiring Mikal Bridges during the summer. The team's 50-win season last year, the first since 2013, suggests they are on the right path. With it being 24 years since their last appearance in the Eastern Conference finals and a quarter-century since their last Finals appearance, the urgency and impatience among the Knicks faithful are palpable.
Jalen Brunson's induction as team captain marks another step in his burgeoning leadership role within the team. Frazier, once again, couldn't help but draw a parallel with another Knicks legend. "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. These qualities, the tenacity and team-first mentality, are precisely what the Knicks need to scale the mountain that lies ahead.
With the season approaching, optimism is cautiously brewing among the Knicks' supporters. Walt Frazier's confidence in the team's potential shines through, "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." This belief, coming from a man who embodied Knicks basketball, offers a rallying cry for both players and fans alike.
As the slate wipes clean and a new chapter begins, the echoes of the past are serving as both inspiration and benchmark. The Knicks stand at a crossroads, equipped with a promising roster, a decorated coach, and the blessings of a living legend. The journey to recapture the glory of 1973 is fraught with challenges, but with the spirit of Clyde and the promise of Brunson, the future holds hope for a renaissance of the New York Knicks.