A change of philosophy, an unlikely star, and a new coach: How the Knicks returned to the NBA Finals

The Knicks reached the NBA Finals for the first time in the 21st century after sweeping the Eastern Conference final 4-0 with a 130-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The franchise’s last championships came in 1970 and 1973, making the milestone a major restoration of hope. The team previously fell short in a title fight against the Indiana Pacers, despite expectations for progress. Two changes drove the turnaround: Jalen Brunson’s development after joining the Knicks in 2022, including his decision to forgo $113 million elsewhere, and Mike Brown’s arrival as coach. Brown’s approach freed a veteran roster from the rigid constraints associated with Tom Thibodeau, allowing the same core group to go further.

"Their 130-93 rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers to sweep the Eastern Conference final 4-0 was no ordinary victory. Twenty-seven years later, and for the first time in the 21st century, the Knicks are once again in an NBA Finals. The challenge ahead is enormous: to win the franchise's first title in more than half a century, the only two championships in its history still frozen in black and white in 1970 and 1973."

"Two elements are key to summarizing this turnaround and the Knicks' return to the top: first, the 2022 acquisition and subsequent rise of Jalen Brunson, a rare and unlikely star who turned down $113 million to join the team; second, the arrival of Mike Brown, a coach who freed the veteran roster from the constraints imposed by Tom Thibodeau, who was too rigid with his schemes and prone to overtaxing the starting five."

"It is worth remembering last season's huge disappointment, when they seemed poised for success and this same group of players fell short at the door of the title fight against the Indiana Pacers. Two elements are key to summarizing this turnaround and the Knicks' return to the top: first, the 2022 acquisition and subsequent rise of Jalen Brunson, a rare and unlikely star who turned down $113 million to join the team; second, the arrival of Mike Brown, a coach who freed the veteran roster from the constraints imposed by Tom Thibodeau."

"The turning point for these Knicks came as they allowed themselves to celebrate a milestone that restores hope to one of the league's most prominent and ill-fated franchises. While they wait to learn their opponent, with the Western series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs already guaranteed to go at least six games, the Knicks' players and coaching staff allowed themselves to celebrate a milestone that restores hope."

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