It's been 51 years and 1973 since the Knicks last won the NBA title. The decades go by and the wait gets longer and longer. Nevertheless, there have been some great periods at Madison Square Garden – the 1990s or the very beginning of the 2010s – and allowed us to dream.
Because during the 2000s and mid-2010s, New York was mostly a place of mockery. The most media-friendly, best-known city in the country, with the most famous venue on the planet, wasn't winning, wasn't attracting stars, even though it sometimes had the biggest payroll.
Worse still, the franchise was sometimes ridiculous, while at the same time, less posh cities shone and regularly participated in the playoffs: Memphis, Oklahoma City, Utah…
“We hear less about this market story than before, with the system we have put in place and the fact that it is not just a question of money and luxury tax, that spending a lot will have consequences”, Adam Silver recallson the sidelines of the laying of the first stone of a new building for the “Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School”. “We have seen the results of good management, we can mention Oklahoma City, which has had its ups and downs but remains very well managed. The Knicks too.”
“I talk to players, teams around the league and they love coming to Madison Square Garden, having the Knicks be competitive, having celebrities in the front row and that unique energy in the room.”
The proof is in Jalen Brunson's gesture this summer, who gave up $113 million to allow his franchise to remain competitive in the future.
“Congratulations to the Knicks and Jalen for creating an environment that he wants to stay in,” continues the NBA boss. “If he continues to play at this level, he will earn a lot of money, which is very good. This gesture is consistent with his leadership on the court. He has been clear: he thinks of his teammates and has understood that, to aim for the title, he needs great players around him.”
Players like Mikal Bridges, who arrived a few days before the All-Star point guard's discount. As a result, the New York franchise is very competitive on paper and on the court, while still being in a good position financially. The present is positive and the future looks promising.
“As a New Yorker, it's fantastic. Of course, since I'm the boss of the league, I support all teams equally. However, since I live in New York, I get more pro-Knicks comments on the streets. The fans are enthusiastic,” says Adam Silver. “I've always seen New York as a basketball town. I talk to players, teams around the league, and they love coming to Madison Square Garden, having the Knicks be competitive, having celebrities in the front row and having that unique energy in the room.”
James Dolan, at war with Adam Silver and the other owners, will no doubt appreciate the compliments.
