The New York Knicks are going back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. It’s been 27 years since the Knicks came out of the East, and now they’re set to make history.
Jalen Brunson has led the team on its historic run this whole postseason. He averages 26.9 points per game, and drove New York to its sweeps of the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Residents in Queens are in celebration mode. “I’m not worried about who we go up against,” one said, predicting, “the Knicks in five.”
Another simply said, “No one can guard Jalen Brunson.”
The Knicks had a rough run in the middle of the season, going 2-9 from Dec. 31 to Jan 19. There were doubts whether they could beat the No. 1 seed, the Detroit Pistons, who ultimately collapsed in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cavaliers. But Knicks fans, even those who have had their doubts, are very pleased with what the team has accomplished. Many say it’s a long time coming.
“They make it to the conference finals and win,” one fan said. “You know, I was thinking that would be cool, you know what I mean? With just winning that, because I was like, ah, you know, they still are not ready for some of these teams.”
So far, they’ve been ready for all of them. Fans are yelling, “Knicks in four!” or “We want Victor Wembanyama!” — the San Antonio Spurs star. They took over Radio City Music Hall and a bit of Seventh Avenue celebrating Monday’s win against the Cavaliers.
New Yorkers have been waiting for this moment for years. The Knicks are on the verge of being called NBA Champions for the first time since 1973. They go up against either the Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder starting next Thursday.