Esoteric Notes Regarding The Champion Knicks, Hurricanes And Title Clinching “Separation”

This was the Knicks third title in what was their 80th season.

They are one of three original league teams, (only the Boston Celtics and them have stayed in one locale–the Golden State Warriors having played and titled twice, while in Philadelphia, are the other.)

Those three franchises now have 28 of the 80 NBA crowns, 35%. The Celtics, who have 18 titles, twice had 40% of the NBA titles after winning them in ’81 (14 of 35) and ’86 (16 of 40).

There was a higher percentage (%), when their 15th title occurred in ’84, the league’s 38th season.

There has been little or no “clinching titles separation” between the NBA and NHL in all three Knicks’ titles. In 1970, both the Knicks on May 8th and the Boston Bruins on May 10 won at home, to claim respectively their first title in what was their 24th season (ode to team member, Bill Bradley) and a first in 29 years.

In ’73, both leagues crowned champions on the same night, (I believe the only time), May 10th with the Knicks joined by the Montreal Canadiens, each clinching it on the road.

Now or days back if you will, a June 13th Knicks road clinch was followed the next night (6/14, of ’83 and no # and it “baba-s” on) by a Carolina Hurricanes road clincher.

As noted before, both franchises won titles in ’73, which until days back was the most recent Knicks’ title. Carolina was known as the New England Whalers, later the Hartford Whalers upon NHL entry in ’80 and moved to Carolina and became the Hurricanes after the ’97 season and I recall going downstairs to hopefully “pick up” Chuck Kaiton, the excellent Whalers broadcaster on WTIC, to hear the end of their Whalers time and won the somewhat obscure WHA crown.

Remember, however, the WHA sent 4 teams to the NHL after folding to start the ’80 season, with three of them (Edmonton (Oilers) (5), although losing in their last three finals appearances, Colorado Avalanche Nee Quebec Nordiques (3) and the Carolina Hurricanes nee New England/Hartford Whalers, winning 2) combining for 10 titles. (The fourth, Winnipeg (Jets), who thrice won it all in the WHA, never won an NHL title, moved to ‘Zona and technically are the Utah Mammoth).

In recalling Winnipeg where the great Bobby Hull played, I cite two other iconic, NHL greats who also played in the WHA.

Gordie Howe did so after his incredible NHL career with a carry over, as he played for the Whalers in their first NHL season in ’80. Wayne Gretzky started in the WHA with the long defunct Indianapolis Racers franchise.

Howe, Hull, Gretzky in a pretty darn good league (’73-’79).