The 2025-26 Knicks’ championship has been over 50 years in the making. Throughout this city’s tumultuous journey back to the mountaintop, many players have passed through the organization. Some of the most impactful returned to share this important moment with the fans. 

New York clinched the NBA title Saturday with a 45-point outburst in San Antonio by point guard Jalen Brunson. Another Knicks point guard with NBA Finals experience, John Starks, spoke to the importance of overcoming adversity in the playoffs.

“This Knicks team has been through it over the last couple of years. They’ve been through some hardships. So they know what it takes to win,” Starks said. 

Starks helped the Knicks reach the Finals in 1994, and he expressed how difficult it is to succeed in the postseason. 

Knicks set the city on fire, legends say

The whole city was glued to this playoff run, whether at official watch parties or at organic gatherings in the streets, fans consistently showed up and showed out for their home team. The Knicks held events in Central Park and Plaza 33 featuring former players who were amazed by the city’s enthusiasm.

“New York is just where you want to be at,” former Knicks big man Marcus Camby, a member of the 1999 Eastern Conference winners, said. “Over the last few years, you see how crazy it has been outside of the Garden with the viewing parties that they’ve been having. And then you walk around the city every day, you just feel the intensity that they know it’s playoff time here in New York.”

Karl-Anthony Towns, Brunson, and OG Anunoby will rightfully get the majority of the plaudits, but the championship would not have been possible without key contributions from New York’s role players. Their ability to adapt to the opponents throughout the postseason was an important factor in winning it all.

“Mikal [Bridges] probably doesn’t get a lot of flowers as other players do, but he’s that versatile piece, you know,” ex-Knicks forward Wilson Chandler said. “Sometimes he’s not scoring the ball, sometimes it’s just defense, sometimes he’s doing the dirty work. He’s just being versatile, being in that role, getting open looks. I just want to give him his flowers.”

Madison Square Garden was home to a collection of A-list celebrities throughout the playoffs, but the majority of Knicks faithful were outside supporting from the heart of the city.

“This is the best fan base in basketball; the people that don’t get a chance to get into the stadium, to me they are the realest fans,” Al Harrington said. “So it’s just great to connect with them. You see their commitment, man. They’re out here; it’s hot. They could be indoors watching this, but they’re out here supporting the team.”

The Knicks used a 10-man rotation throughout the Finals; all of those players played an essential role in their eventual championship. Josh Hart’s rebounding, Anunoby’s defense, or Towns’ versatility were all necessary to bring the Larry O’Brien back to New York. This is the first time the Knicks have won the trophy since the Walt Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe team in 1973.

“First of all, these guys like each other, they play well together, they play for each other. That’s one of the reasons why they got to be winning so many games in a row,” Monroe said. 

“It’s got to be a collective effort. We’ve had 9 guys that have been thriving, and that’s how we’ve been winning,” Frazier added. 

In the end, the 2025-26 Knicks skill and determination paid the best tribute possible to the franchise’s greats, providing an honor shared by all who donned a Knicks jersey over the last five decades.

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