The History of the New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are among the most iconic franchises in the history of the NBA. The team's history dates back to its founding in 1946 as part of the Basketball Association of America (BAA). It later merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to become the NBA in 1949. 

The Knicks' first roster comprised a mix of college players and veterans. Among the veterans was Jake Weber, who had previously played for the Brooklyn Dodgers of the American Basketball League. Weber was one of the team's top scorers in their inaugural season, averaging 11.9 points per game.

The Knicks' first head coach was Neil Cohalan, who had previously coached at Fordham University. Cohalan was replaced midseason by Joe Lapchick, a former player for the Original Celtics who would become one of the most successful coaches in Knicks history.

The team struggled in their first season, finishing 33-27 and missing the playoffs. However, they showed promise in their second season, finishing with a history of 40-28 and advancing to the Eastern Division finals, where they lost to the Washington Capitols.

One of the Knicks' early stars was Carl Braun, who joined the team in 1947 and would play ten seasons in New York. Braun was a versatile player who could score from inside and outside and was a four-time NBA All-Star.

In 1950, the Knicks made one of the most significant trades in franchise history, acquiring center Harry Gallatin from the Chicago Stags. Gallatin would become one of the team's all-time greats, playing nine seasons in New York and earning seven All-Star selections.

Changes in ownership also marked the Knicks' early years. The team was initially owned by a group of investors led by Ned Irish. Still, it was sold to a consortium that included boxing promoter Mike Jacobs and former Knicks player Sonny Hertzberg.

Despite their ups and downs in the early years, the Knicks laid the foundation for a franchise that would become one of the most iconic in NBA history. Through their commitment to building a competitive team and their passionate fan base, the Knicks would go on to achieve great success in the years to come.

Sources:

• "New York Knicks Franchise Index." Basketball-Reference.com. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/

"New York Knicks History." NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/

The New York Knicks enjoyed their most tremendous success in the late 1960s and early 1970s under the leadership of coach Red Holzman. Holzman, who had previously played for the Knicks, became the team's head coach in 1967 and quickly established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the NBA.

Holzman's teams were known for their rugged, physical play and suffocating defense, which became known as the "New York style" of basketball. The team's success was built around a core of talented players, including guards Walt "Clyde" Frazier and Earl Monroe and center Willis Reed.

The Knicks' most tremendous success during the Holzman era came in 1970 when they won their first NBA championship. Reed's heroic performance in Game 7 of the NBA Finals marked the team's playoff run when he played through a painful injury to score the first two baskets and inspire the Knicks to victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Two years later, the Knicks won their second championship, defeating the Lakers in five games. Frazier was named the NBA Finals MVP for outstanding performance throughout the series.

In addition to their championships, the Knicks also enjoyed success in the regular season during the Holzman era. The team won the Eastern Conference title in 1969 and 1972 and finished with the best record in the league in 1973.

Holzman was known for his attention to detail and ability to get the most out of his players. He was a beloved figure in New York, and his contributions to the team's success are still celebrated by Knicks fans today.

The end of the Holzman era marked a period of decline for the Knicks, as the team struggled to maintain its success in the face of changing personnel and competition from other groups. However, the legacy of Holzman and his championship teams continues to inspire Knicks fans and players and remains an integral part of the team's storied history.

Sources:

• "New York Knicks Franchise Index." Basketball-Reference.com. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/

"New York Knicks History." NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/

The New York Knicks experienced sustained success during the Ewing years, from 1985 to 2000, marked by the arrival of star center Patrick Ewing. The Ewing years saw the Knicks become one of the premier teams in the NBA, as they made the playoffs in 13 of Ewing's 15 seasons with the team.

Ewing was the centerpiece of the Knicks' success during this era, and his arrival in 1985 marked a turning point for the franchise. The team had struggled in the years leading up to Ewing's arrival, but with his presence in the lineup, the Knicks became a formidable opponent for any team in the league.

During the Ewing years, the Knicks' greatest rival was the Chicago Bulls, led by superstar Michael Jordan. The two teams met in several memorable playoff series, including the 1992 and 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. Although the Knicks were never able to overcome the Bulls in the playoffs, their fierce rivalry with Jordan and the Bulls became one of the defining storylines of the era.

The Ewing years were also marked by the emergence of several key players who helped the team achieve success. Among these players were John Starks, Charles Oakley, and Anthony Mason, all of whom were instrumental in the Knicks' authoritarian, physical style of play. The team's success was also partly due to the coaching of Pat Riley, who took over as head coach in 1991 and helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 1994.

One of the defining moments of the Ewing era was the Knicks' playoff run in 1994. The team overcame several tough opponents, including the Bulls and the Indiana Pacers, to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973. Although they ultimately lost to the Houston Rockets in the Finals, the team's performance throughout the playoffs was a testament to their toughness and resilience.

The Ewing era ended in 2000 when the Knicks traded their star center to the Seattle SuperSonics. The team struggled in the following years, as they needed help to replace Ewing's production on the court. However, the legacy of the Ewing years remains an integral part of Knick's history, and the team's sustained success during this era is still celebrated by fans today.

Sources:

• "New York Knicks Franchise Index." Basketball-Reference.com. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/

"New York Knicks History." NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/

The Post-Ewing Era for the New York Knicks spanned from 2000 to 2010, marked by a decline and rebuilding period. The team struggled to maintain its success during the Ewing years and faced many challenges on and off the court.

The era began with the departure of Ewing, who had been the cornerstone of the Knicks' success for over a decade. The team struggled to replace his production on the court and worked to maintain its position as one of the premier teams in the NBA.

The Knicks made several moves to return to their winning ways during this period. To rebuild their roster, the team signed high-priced free agents such as Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, and Stephon Marbury. However, missteps and controversies could have improved the team's efforts.

One of the defining moments of the Post-Ewing Era was the tenure of Isiah Thomas as team president and head coach. Thomas was brought in to turn the team around, but his tenure was marked by controversies and public relations disasters. Among the issues that plagued Thomas' tenure were a sexual harassment lawsuit, allegations of player misconduct, and poor on-court performance.

Despite the team's struggles during this period, there were still some bright spots. The team saw the emergence of young players such as David Lee and Nate Robinson, who became fan favorites due to their energetic play on the court. However, the team's lack of success on the court and the turmoil off the court left fans frustrated and disappointed.

The Post-Ewing Era ended in 2010 by hiring new team president Donnie Walsh. Walsh was tasked with rebuilding the team from the ground up, and his efforts laid the foundation for the team's future success. Under Walsh's leadership, the Knicks began to focus on acquiring young talent through the draft and building a team that could compete in the long term.

While the Post-Ewing Era was challenging for the Knicks, it also represented a time of transition and change. The team faced its share of obstacles but ultimately emerged more robust and resilient from the period than ever before.

Sources:

• "New York Knicks Franchise Index." Basketball-Reference.com. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/

"New York Knicks History." NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/

The Carmelo Anthony era for the New York Knicks spanned from 2011 to 2017 and was marked by the arrival of superstar forward Carmelo Anthony. Anthony's arrival was seen as a significant coup for the Knicks and was expected to bring the team back to its winning ways.

Anthony was one of the league's top scorers, and his addition to the Knicks' lineup gave the team a much-needed offensive boost. In his first season with the team, Anthony averaged 26.3 points per game and helped lead the Knicks to the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Despite their success in the regular season, the Knicks could not make a deep playoff run during the Anthony era. The team made the playoffs in each of Anthony's first three seasons with the team but needed help to advance past the second round. The team's lack of success in the postseason frustrated fans, who had hoped that Anthony's arrival would lead to a championship.

The Anthony era was also marked by controversy, both on and off the court. The team's coaching staff underwent several changes during the period, with Mike D'Antoni resigning mid-season in 2012 and being replaced by interim coach Mike Woodson. Woodson would become the team's permanent head coach but was fired after the disappointing 2013-14 season.

The team was also marked by controversy off the court, including a public feud between Anthony and team president Phil Jackson. Jackson, who had previously coached Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to six championships, was brought in to turn the Knicks around. Still, his tenure was marked by missteps and public relations disasters.

Despite the controversies and disappointments of the Anthony era, there were still some bright spots for the Knicks. The team had some talented players during this period, including Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith, and Amar'e Stoudemire. However, the team's lack of success in the postseason and the turmoil off the court left fans frustrated and disappointed.

The Anthony era ended in 2017 when Anthony was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. While both successes and failures marked his time with the Knicks, Anthony's impact on the team and the city of New York cannot be denied. He remains a beloved figure among Knicks fans, and his legacy will be remembered for years.

Sources:

• "New York Knicks Franchise Index." Basketball-Reference.com. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/

"New York Knicks History." NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/

The rebuilding years for the New York Knicks began in 2018 and have been marked by a focus on acquiring and developing young talent. The team has undergone a significant transformation during this period, with a new front office and coaching staff leading the way.

The rebuilding process began with the hiring of team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry, who was tasked with rebuilding the team from the ground up. The team's first significant move under the new regime was the selection of Kevin Knox in the 2018 NBA Draft. Knox was seen as a promising young player who could become a cornerstone of the team's future success.

In addition to Knox, the Knicks have also focused on acquiring other young talent through the draft and free agency. The team has drafted promising players such as RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson and has signed free agents such as Julius Randle and Reggie Bullock.

The team's coaching staff has also undergone significant changes during the rebuilding process. David Fizdale was hired as head coach in 2018 but was fired midway through the 2019-20 season due to the team's poor performance. He was replaced by interim coach Mike Miller, who led the team to a better record in the second half of the season. However, the team ultimately hired Tom Thibodeau as head coach for the 2020-21 season and beyond.

Thibodeau has brought a renewed focus on defense and player development to the Knicks and has helped the team succeed significantly in his first season as coach. The team has been one of the most surprising teams in the league, with a strong record and renewed energy and purpose.

The rebuilding years have been challenging, however. The team has faced criticism for some of its personnel decisions and has struggled to find consistent success on the court. However, the team's focus on developing young talent and building a solid foundation for the future has given fans hope that the team can return to winning in future years.

Sources:

• "New York Knicks Franchise Index." Basketball-Reference.com. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/

"New York Knicks History." NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/

The New York Knicks are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, with a rich and varied history of over 75 years. From the team's early years as a founding member of the NBA to its championship runs in the late 1960s and early 1970s to its more recent struggles and rebuilding efforts, the Knicks have always been a team that has captured the imagination of fans around the world.

Throughout its history, the Knicks have been defined by a commitment to hard work, toughness, and a never-say-die attitude. The team's greatest successes have come when it has been able to embody these qualities on the court and when it has been able to unite fans behind a common cause.

The Knicks have had their share of ups and downs, but the team's enduring legacy is a testament to its resilience and determination. Whether the team is battling for a championship or rebuilding for the future, Knicks fans can always count on their team to play with heart and soul and to represent the best of what New York City has to offer.

The Knicks will face new challenges and obstacles as they continue to build for the future. But with a commitment to hard work, a focus on player development, and the support of their loyal fan base, the Knicks have again the potential to become one of the NBA's premier franchises.

Sources:

• "New York Knicks Franchise Index." Basketball-Reference.com. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/

"New York Knicks History." NBA.com. https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/