Who are the New York Yankees of the NBA? The Boston Celtics have won 16 NBA championships, while the Los Angeles / Minneapolis Lakers have won 14. However, another New York team, the New York Knicks, has also been very successful in the NBA. His achievements include:
o 38 playoff appearances
or 7 division titles
o 16 appearances in the conference finale
o 8 NBA Finals appearances
or 2 NBA championships
The New York Knickerbockers were one of the original 11 NBA teams that played in the league’s first season from 1946-1947. “Knickerbockers” refers to the Dutch settlers who moved from the Netherlands to (modern) New York during the 17th century. It also refers to its signature pants, which users could roll up to just below the knees.
The Knicks’ first season was relatively successful, although they lost their first game 68-66. They finished their first season with a 33-27 record. They won the first playoff series against the Cleveland Rebels (2-1); but then lost in the Conference Finals, against the Philadelphia Warriors (2-0).
The New York Knicks’ 14th trip to the NBA playoffs was a delight. During 1969-1970, Knicks player Willis Reed won the NBA Most Valuable Player award. Willis led the Knicks to an excellent 60-22 record.
In the playoffs, the Knicks won a war in their series against the Baltimore Bullets (4-3), and then won a waterloo after facing the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals (4-1). During the NBA Finals, the Knicks faced the mighty Los Angeles Lakers and Wilt Chamberlain. With the series tied at 3-3, injured Knicks star Willis Reed limped onto the court. Reed’s only points in the game were also the team’s first 4 points. However, his two cubes motivated the Knicks to a 113-99 victory and their first NBA championship.
After losing the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1971-1972 season (4-1), the Knicks earned another opportunity during the next season. They completed their 1972-1973 regular season campaign, with an outstanding record of 57-25.
The playoffs were next. The Knicks deflected the Baltimore Bullets in their first round of the playoffs (4-1). After taking a 3-1 series lead, the Knicks needed seven games to finish off the Boston Celtics (4-3). For the second year in a row, the Knicks faced the Lakers in the NBA Finals. However, the result would be different this time. After losing Game 1, the Knicks came back to win both the series (4-1) and their second NBA championship.
Throughout their long and amazing history, the Knicks have retired the numbers of eight players:
Dick Barnett – # 12 (Guard): 1965-1974
Bill Bradley – # 24 (Forward): 1967-1977
Dave DeBusschere – # 22 (Forward): 1968-1974
Patrick Ewing – # 33 (Center): 1985-2000
Walt Frazier – # 10 (Guard): 1967-1977
Dick McGuire – # 15 (Guard): 1949-1957
Earl Monroe – # 15 (Guard): 1971-1980
Willis Reed – # 19 (Center): 1964-1974
For more than six decades, the New York Knicks have represented the Big Apple. Use New York Knicks merchandise to cheer on the men in shorts, whose team pays tribute to a special kind of pants.
