The N.Y. Knickerbockers Go (16-3–“Perranoski in ’63) 15 of last 16, And Win Their First Title In 53 Years

Once again, as was the case in all 4 of the requisite victories needed to end their 53 year title drought, the Knicks overcame significant S.A. leads and led by the brilliant player and final round MVP, Jalen Brunson (42? in the clincher) “plus 5’d” the Spurs in #5, (they were a resounding (15-4) ATS in the just completed ‘offs), to clinch the crown, reversing ’99, when S.A. took the first of their 5 titles, with a #5 win at New York (Avery Johnson, and I love his voice, anyone?).

Brunson, a member of two college title teams under Jay Wright at Villanova, scored 15 of his points in ‘el’ 4th, continually drawing fouls on the Spurs (a bigger Spurs -, than Knicks/Brunson positive).

However, that takes so little away from what this marvelous player did and kudos as well, to an excellent supporting cast (despite Brunson, do they win sans Anunoby’s “tip in” in #4) and a fine coach in Mike Burton Brown.

The Knicks rise to (3-6) in final round play while the Spurs fell to (5-2).

After final round losses to Texas based teams, by the Nets to the Spurs in ’03, the Knicks to the Houston Rockets in ’94 and the aforementioned Knicks loss to S.A. in ’99–the Knicks with other ‘Nova title winners Josh Hart and Myk Bridges in prominent roles won giving the “Garden” teams a “not so hot” 4 titles in 165 possibilities, after the NHL Rangers 1940 title. (I have been a 45 plus year subscriber to Mr. Dolan’s enterprise and suffice to say they do not “give away ice in the winter and if anything, make it colder. Leon Rose, so maligned by “Throw bleep at the wall,” Smith, on the other hand, built quite a team, deserves “mucho” credit and in the East, the Kinicks surely remain viable title contenders).

I will try to sort out the other Texas vs New York ‘offs history another timewith the Houston Astros (4-0) record in such, vs the Yankees and (0-1) vs the Mets at the forefront.

2026 final round most valuable player, Jalen Brunson, is pictured below.