And now, “after all that,” raising the banners (yes, with an s), and getting their rings, the Knicks are supposed to be afraid of the Sixers of all teams. If I’m not mistaken, the Knicks swept the Sixers in the 2026 semifinals, and that sent the Knicks to the ECF. I guess now that LeBron is there, the Knicks are supposed to be quivering in their Timbs? I don’t think so. If I’m not mistaken, the Sixers still have the same coach. This guy…

Poor guy. He lived in a state of pure exasperation. He did lose his brother and was away from his team. But he didn’t miss a game in the semi-finals.

And now, let’s address the disrespect…

This is a piece about Jalen Brunson. Anything written about Brunson has to address the disrespect he gets at every turn. After all the records he broke, the Knicks’ records he broke, the cover of the 2027 2K27 features Victor Wembanyama, the crybaby, the sore loser, and yes, the dirty damn player. He couldn’t look his opponents in the eye after he lost the Finals and shake their hand. Even LeBron James does that.

Let’s take a look at the “Brunson stoppers” that the Captain encountered, and proved, as the saying goes, “Everyone is better than Jalen Brunson until they have to be better than Jalen Brunson.”

There is always a “somebody”.

Somebody is bigger than Jalen Brunson. Somebody is faster than Jalen Brunson. Somebody is more athletic than Jalen Brunson. Somebody has a higher ceiling than Jalen Brunson. Somebody is a better defender. Somebody is harder to guard.

And somebody, somewhere, is always supposed to be the next “Brunson Stopper.” But here’s the problem. Eventually one of these killers is actually going to have to do it…they have to stop, or at least slow down Jalen Brunson.

And during the entire 2026 NBA Playoffs, everybody kept forgetting that part.

The first round - the Atlanta Hawks

The stoppers. Dyson Daniels. Jalen Johnson.

Young, athletic, long, defensive-minded. The kind of players who were supposed to make life absolutely miserable for the 6’2” Knicks point guard. And for a minute, maybe Atlanta had something to say. CJ McCollum tried to get loud and villainous…ended up looking goofy. Funny enough, he was the only one to get an infinitesimal itty bitty won two games by one point each close to hurting Brunson. But nope.

The Hawks went up 2–1 in the series and they were feeling good, talking smack. And then Jalen Brunson reminded everybody that playoff series aren’t three games long. The Knicks won the next three. Brutally, punishing…it was incredible.

Brunson averaged 26.3 points and 6.2 assists in the series. He dropped 39 points in Game 5, and by Game 6 the Knicks weren’t simply beating Atlanta anymore. They were embarrassing them.

The score was 140–89. New York led by 47 points at halftime. My son and I sat in amazement. There are playoff eliminations where you’re supposed to fight to the death. KAT always says those are the hardest games because people are playing for their season. Not so in this game. This was a game where somebody must have started checking flight availability before the third quarter.

Atlanta had its Brunson stoppers. Atlanta even got two games. But eventually...you actually have to stop Brunson.

They didn’t. They couldn’t. NEXT!

The semifinals - Philadelphia 76ers

Oh, Philly. Are y’all still salty about that butt-whipping you got in the first round of the 2023-24 playoffs? Did you watch any of the Atlanta series? That’s right, you were too busy concentrating on defeating the Boston Celtics. Seven games, huh?

The Sixers had Tyrese Maxey. They had Paul George. They had rookie VJ Edgecombe. And, of course, they had Joel Embiid.

Pick one. Which one would it be to stop him?

According to ESPN, media pundits, Philly content creators; every damn one of them was supposed to stop Jalen Brunson. Brunson will never get past these guys. Maxey was too fast. Paul George was too long. VJ Edgecombe was too young, athletic, and fearless. And Embiid? And? What about him? Atlanta at least managed to win two games. Philadelphia? Not. One. Game. By game two, it was clear the Knicks would defeat them in this series. But a SWEEP. Dang! Turns out Philly didn’t have four who would stop Brunson.

In this series, JB averaged 29.0 PTS, 2.8 REB, 6.0 AST while shooting 51.3% from the field, 44.8% from three, and 92.0% from free. He did the same thing to them in 2024.

They just had four more witnesses to the truth. “Everybody is better than Jalen Brunson...until it’s time to be better than Jalen Brunson.

NEXT!

The Eastern Conference Finals - Cleveland Cavaliers

Next up? Cleveland. Let’s see, how many Brunson Stoppers do they have? Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Max Strus.

Surely somebody in this group had the answer, right? THIS was where one of these alleged Brunson stoppers was finally going to do some actual Brunson stopping.

Nope. They got SWEPT. Yep. Four games, no stops. Four Knicks wins.

The captain averaged 25.5 PTS, 3.3 REB, 7.8 AST, while shooting 48.7% from the field.
Game 2, he had 14 assists.

And four games later, Jalen Brunson was holding the Larry Bird Trophy as Eastern Conference Finals MVP, while the New York Knicks were holding the Bob Cousy Trophy as Eastern Conference champions.

As for Cleveland? Hello, is this Delta Airlines? The airline with the non-stop flights to Cancun? We have another one for you. This time from Cleveland.

Again, nobody told the “Brunson stoppers” that stopping Brunson was part of the assignment.

Let’s do an update…Atlanta got two, which turned on this Knicks superpower team; Philadelphia couldn’t win one, and Cleveland couldn’t win one.

And Jalen Brunson? He’s going to the NBA Finals.

NEXT!

The 2026 NBA Finals - San Antonio Spurs

And then there was one. After sitting around and waiting to see who would come out of the West, finally, after 7 games, it was the San Antonio Spurs. A near-complete duplicate of the 1999 NBA Finals. The same two teams with different players. One last collection of players who were supposed to have an answer for Jalen Brunson.

Victor Wembanyama, the 7’5 alien, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox, and Devin Vassell. Everybody is bigger, younger, longer, and more athletic. I have never seen such audacity in my 69 years. From the refs to the league, they tried to stop him. Including two flagrant two fouls against JB that were never called, although the ref was standing there.

Wemby, the so-called future of the league! Playing dirty with fouls that on any other day would have been flagrant 2s!!!! How dare that little 6’2” point guard not be stopped by me, Wembanyama!!! Doesn’t he know? Wemby is better than Jalen Brunson...(have to read with a French accent).

Yada yada, yeah, we know. It’s just you, Wemby, and the rest of the freaking league that doesn’t seem to get it. Those five games were a masterpiece; you had five games with all your dirty play and the refs on your side. In GAME 4 YOU EVEN HAD A 29-POINT LEAD; it was the biggest comeback in NBA FINALS HISTORY, you and your little group just could not,

…be better than Jalen Brunson!

San Antonio did something Philadelphia and Cleveland couldn’t do. They got one. They got one in the Garden! The one where the President attended. The one with the great openings from Ernie, Shaq, Kenny and Chuck…with the Brunson spin. Yeah, they lost by four points. Please take a look…I promise you goosebumps!

https://youtube.com/shorts/UvP81QJAyTA?is=PT6kKaN7yup4ci2D

Congratulations. Because that’s all they got. The smack-talking was loud because the Spurs led in every single game. Then, they didn’t.

The Knicks won the series 4–1.

And when it was over, Vassell, Castle, Harper, Wembanyama, and the rest of the Spurs could only watch as the team they were supposed to beat so easily celebrated the Championship. On their home court.

Atlanta got two.

Philadelphia got none.

Cleveland got none.

San Antonio got one.

And Jalen Brunson got 16 including four wins in the NBA Finals.

Sixteen wins between him and the thing Knicks fans had waited 53 years to see again.

And when the last win came...

There were no more Brunson stoppers. There were no more matchups to debate. There was nobody left to tell us who was supposed to be better.

There was only the captain. The MVP. The Champion. THE DUDE.

Everybody is better than Jalen Brunson...until it’s time to be better than Jalen Brunson. And in the end?

Nobody could because nobody is…better than Jalen Brunson!

On October 20, Jalen Brunson and his teammates will watch as three banners are lifted. For the first time EVER, a team will hoist the Emirates Cup banner, the Eastern Conference Championship banner, and the one I waited 53 years for, the NBA Finals banner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JALEN BRUNSON!

The Finals.

Finally. Young Victor Wembanyama had just defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. They celebrated as though they were already NBA Champions. What did that mean? That the Knicks were nothing! (Said in my head in a bad French accent.) The media and every pundit in the world were so-called giving the Knicks respect by saying that the series would go 6 or 7 games.

Trust me when I say it would have been a sweep, except there was a VIP there who required a lot of special handling. The Garden was not itself during that Game 3…

Game 4. OG’s game. The tip-in heard around the World…

Game 5. The biggest offensive rebound in NBA history…

I will get back to that…but first…

I had the strongest feeling when Mike Brown was chosen as the next coach. Can’t really explain it, but it had everything to do with the fact that this team, these players, and this coach had all been counted out not once, but many times in their lives. When it’s their time, no one can stand in the way.

Coach Mike Brown — The Architect

Coach Mike Brown, thank you.

This championship began long before this season. You could say it happened in Cleveland 23 years ago. LeBron has been in the league 23 years, and you were his coach when you took the Cavaliers to the Finals for the first time in their history. No, I don’t think it happened then. It began when you suffered disappointment after disappointment, bringing a team back to past glory, or helping them to reach for glory for the first time; then, when there’s a misstep, you’re fired.

I think you knew before you took this job that this was the one. This was the team, the captain, the MVP.

You gave them four keys to leadership and they heeded your words. Communication, accountability, commitment and trust. Your team ingested your words, your, drive, and your leadership. You learned from them and they learned from you…

Championships begin in practices where details are repeated until they become habits. They begin when a coach convinces an entire locker room that sacrificing for one another is the only path to greatness. You built that belief.

From the very beginning, you challenged this team to become more than a collection of talented players. You challenged them to become connected. You challenged them to be accountable; trust became your foundation. Every player understood his role because you made every role matter.

The regular season was filled with victories, but your greatest accomplishment could not be measured in the standings. You created the culture you promised in your introductory press conference. “Our goal, starting with Mr. Dolan, to Leon, to the players, all the way down to the fans, is to build a sustainable, winning culture that produces championships. That’s why I’m here.” He said championships - with an “s.”

A regular season where stars celebrated role players. Where role players embraced sacrifice. Where every member of the organization understood that one person’s success belonged to everyone.

Then came the postseason, and that third game vs. the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, when the covers came off, and you guys stopped playing possum. But I get it. Magically (wink, wink), the idea popped in someone’s head; I think you guys said it was KAT.

Championships are never won by talent alone. You and your crew coached your behinds off. Quin Snyder forgot how to call timeouts, Nick Nurse (condolences on the loss of your brother) looked to have given up during Game 4 of the semifinals, and you had Kenny Atkinson thinking he won, or that the series should be continuing at least…analytically, anyway, during the ECF.

Thank you, Coach Brown, for believing in this team before the rest of the basketball world finally caught up. But most of all, for keeping your word and for bringing a championship back to Madison Square Garden.

A couple of thank yous and goodbyes…

Jeremy Sochan - Champ, you weren’t even here for an entire season, but I want to thank you. Your exuberance over being a Knick and the fact that you cut your hair…I felt you did it to belong…in New York, where green hair just wouldn’t do. I will never forget your Cupid Shuffle, or how hard you partied at the parade…thank you for sharing this Championship with New York, and much luck in Portland with the Blazers.

Trey Jemison III - Champ, you shone every time you stepped on the court. One of the brighter stars off the bench. Thank you for being ready when your number was called. Tell RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley we said to take care of you. I know you will be a big asset to the Raptors.

Ariel Hukporti - Champ, next to Mitch, I will miss you most of all. After all, you were our mini-Mitch. You should be a star in Dallas. I pray for the best for you in all your future endeavors. Thank you for everything you did in our regular season and this historic Championship run. We, all of us fans will miss you, Huk!

And now, the hardest thank you of all…

Mitchell Robinson — No matter where you go, you will always belong to New York

Mitchell Robinson…thank you! I feel that’s not enough but it and the following words are all I have.

How do you thank someone who gave eight years of his heart to the Orange and Blue?

How do you say goodbye to the longest-tenured Knick—the player who stayed through the growing pains, the rebuilding years, the setbacks, the hope, and finally, the Championship?

The truth is…

I’m not sure I can. With RJ it was different. There was no best season ever, no first full season without a major injury. Although there was the one time when you broke your pinky…a Championship that couldn’t have been won without you…my heart is broken that you’ve left, but I know you didn’t have a choice.

Mitch, I have watched you grow from a young man with great potential into one of the most respected defensive anchors and offensive rebounders in the NBA. I have celebrated your blocked shots and your dunks as though they were points. I have cheered every offensive rebound that gave this team one more chance.

I have admired your toughness, your endurance, your loyalty to the fans who at times were not at all loyal to you, and I’ve loved your constant loyalty to the team whose name is, I mean was, across your chest.

I’m so proud of how you got your get back on Joel Embiid. I’ll remember that for years to come. Through every season, my appreciation for you never wavered. Not once.

You helped build the road that led here. That is something that can never be erased. The business side of basketball may determine where a player’s journey continues, but it can never erase what that player meant to the people he’s leaving, the fans who cheered for him.

The uniform may change. The city may change. But the memories never will. Thank you for every rebound that gave us hope. Thank you for every blocked shot that brought Madison Square Garden to its feet. Thank you for every sacrifice you made while wearing orange and blue.

But most of all, thank you for giving New York your heart. A piece of mine will always belong to you.

Congratulations on becoming an NBA Champion.

No matter where you go, they cannot take that from you. You will always be part of this championship story. You will always be part of Knicks history.

And for this Knicks fan…You will always be family…I am forever grateful for the memories…

My final words of thanks…

In my family, this Championship will forever be ingrained in our memories. One of us was there in New York at the parade, while two of us were experiencing overwhelming FOMO in Georgia.

The Larry is in the Museum for all to visit and see. And what this team gave New York will live far beyond this season. It gave us belief. It gave us joy. It gave Knicks fans across the World happiness we hadn’t seen in 53 years. It gave us everlasting memories.

And it gave generations of Knicks fans, ’90s fans, some vengeance; young ones like my son, from the Melo years, the moment they had been waiting to celebrate; and fans like me moments to rejoice again after 53 years.

Thank you to my many subscribers…this has been some season. This has been a joy to celebrate with you all and the many others I’m meeting through the Championship’s aftermath.

Y’all know they’re making Jalen Brunson and his team angry with all these offseason moves, folks chirping like we didn’t just have a historic run. 2K covers… Well, we’ll see what they have to say when we’re back next season…with a repeat. Knicks in 5, y’all…Always Knicks!

It has been two months. Two months since Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and the New York Knicks won the NBA Championship. And it seems to have broken the League. Now they’re trying to erase the fact that we won and not give Cap his due as THE SUPERSTAR that brought a Championship to New York City, the MECCA of basketball. I mean the man and his team swept the ESPYs.

After 53 years; Madison Square Garden will raise three banners…the Emirates Cup banner, the Eastern Conference Championship banner, and the of course, the Finals Championship banner. Maybe it will feel real then. I would love to sit there, with my son, to see that. I was a kid, not even a teenager for the first Championship, not much older but a Sweet 16 the last time they won. Now a senior in life, but that same 16-year-old spirit. They did it. My New York Knicks are the 2026 World Champions!

The Knicks Championship run was one of the best ever. A 16-3 record (yes, I know there was a better one, but I’m talking about the Knicks), 9 straight road wins, a historic comeback from 29 points down in a single half! Should I go on? A sweep in the Eastern conference semifinals, a sweep in the Eastern conference finals…a +283 point differential…it’s gonna be hard, or should I say extremely difficult, to beat that. Knicks history was made, NBA history was made. And like JB said, once it’s done and proven, “you don’t have to say shit.” Then, as we settle down to watch YouTube videos 800 times, it was time for the ESPYs. Wouldn’t you know it, the Knicks swept the ESPY awards:

I am a little pissed right now. Originally, it was supposed to be the Boston Celtics vs the World Champion New York Knicks as the first game of the 2026-27 season. Now, it seems Mr. Silver wants to see us kick James and company’s ass in the second game of the NBA season.

The Knicks made history, broke and made records… a postseason you won’t see from any other team. They may have the stats, but they won’t match the excitement, the passion, the durability, the resilience, the brilliance…of the New York Knicks. The team of destiny.

In “Under Orange and Blue Skies, Part I, I thanked our starters. But when they need a break, who is going to be there to keep that same pace, and not fall behind? The Knicks’ bench has been extraordinary. And although I’d love to write about the attributes of each and every one of them, during this season and postseason, I can’t. It would take 800,000 words.

But I will do this…

Tyler Kolek, thank you. You brought out the hustle and points when this team needed it. Whether in the first or fourth quarter, Coach Brown trusted you. So, the fans did too. That was funny with the cops at the parade, though!

Mohammed Diawara, thank you! You put on a show every time you hit the court! Need a three-pointer, here you go. Need some defense? Call Diawara, he’ll help. And you did.

Trey Jemison, Kevin McCullar, Jr., Pacome Dadiet, and Dillon Jones, thank you all. Unfortunately, you didn’t get to play very much after the sweeps; that is, you all were fundamental in the winning of this Championship, and Knicks fans owe you a great big debt of gratitude.

Now, to the men off the bench that helped bring the Larry O’Brien to New York.

Miles McBride — The Spark

Deuce, thank you.

Some players wait for opportunity. Others prepare for it. You prepared. You’ve been with the team now longer than anyone else. Mitch is gone. They say that’s because the longest tenured players are the most affected by the second apron. Every day I am grateful that you are a Knick - still.

Long before the postseason, you put in the work. Long before the records were being made and broken, you were a Knick. Like Mitch, you were here when the Knicks were straight up trash. But you never wavered, never asked to leave, never asked to be put up front. No, you were learning from every practice, every possession, and every opportunity to grow. Knicks fans watched your journey, and season after season, they saw a player always growing, always working to become exactly what this team needed.

That fateful season when the Indiana Pacers stopped us from going to the Eastern Conference Championship - that season when the only ones who remained standing were you and Isaiah Hartenstein. The last game found Josh with a broken stomach and Cap with a broken hand… unbeknownst to anyone, you had a broken toe.

You never said a word. Before OG, you were the quietest one on the team. You patiently waited. You never demanded a larger role. I call you The Spark because every time your feet touch the floor, something changes. The defensive pressure intensifies. The offense is anticipated. Faithful Knicks fans patiently wait until they can scream “Deeeeeeuuuuuuucccceee!” The pace quickens. The energy inside Madison Square Garden shifts. You play with confidence because your preparation leaves no room for doubt.

You became one of those players who, off the bench, averaged 12 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, while shooting 42.3% from the field and 41.3% from three, making Knicks fans and fans in general in every arena in the league, including Boston, yell, “Deuuuuccceee!”

Then came the postseason, where you continued your defensive prowess, and in the Eastern Conference Semifinals you had a game where the three-pointers were flying! One, two, three, four, five, six, then seven. You shot 77.8% from three in that game.

Every championship has players whose names may not always make headlines, but whose impact is irreplaceable. Those fans who don’t know you are saying that you weren’t there during the Finals…but how did you get to the Finals? You were there during the Eastern Conference Finals that helped propel your team to the Finals.

Thank you, Deuce, for proving patience isn’t waiting. Patience is preparing. And when your moment arrived…you were ready. And now, after five seasons…you’re a Champion…and the longest tenured Knick…

Landry Shamet — The Professional

Landry Shamet, thank you.

Every championship team needs professionals. Every championship team needs a seasoned vet. Every team needs a Landry Shamet. And just to be clear, when he hits that three, it’s “Shamet, dammit!!!” The reverse when he misses.

Shamet understands that winning sometimes requires patience. He’s a player who remains prepared regardless of how many minutes appear beside his name. He’s a player who celebrates his teammates with the same enthusiasm he celebrates himself.

The regular season demanded flexibility. Some nights your number was called. Some nights it wasn’t. Yet your commitment to this team never changed.

You stayed prepared. You stayed engaged. You stayed ready. When your opportunity arrived, you answered it with confidence. A timely three-pointer. A smart defensive rotation. A veteran decision in a pressure-filled moment.

Those plays may not always dominate highlight reels, but championship teams remember every single one, like when that ball bounced around the rim and finally went in. One of the very best moments.

The postseason only reinforced your value. Experience matters. Composure matters. Trust matters. You brought all three. And Coach Brown not only trusted you, it seems he depended on you, also.

Thank you for showing that professionalism is one of the greatest forms of leadership a player can offer. Championships are built by stars. Teammates like you complete them by never stopping preparation. Never stop being ready.

Jose Alvarado — The Relentless Competitor

Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose…Jose…Jose!

Jose Alvarado, thank you.

Some players make life difficult for opponents. Then there is Jose Alvarado. Or as he is so lovingly called, GTA. Grand Theft Alvarado. Don’t blink. The ball could be gone from the opponents’ hands in the blink of an eye. From the moment you check into a game, everyone knew exactly what was coming. Unfortunately for them, the other team always got caught.

Constant steady pressure. Constant intensity. Constant relentless effort. It’s the reason Coach Brown trusted you in that historic fourth quarter of Game 4 of the Finals. And you rewarded him with defense and eight points, including 2 of 2 from beyond the arc, two rebounds, 3 assists and everything needed to help your team win.

You refused to give opponents a moment to breathe, and that relentless approach fit perfectly with the identity this championship team built throughout the season.

Every loose ball mattered to you. Every defensive possession mattered to you. Every opportunity to change momentum became personal. That attitude became contagious.

You never backed away from the challenge. Whether you were forcing turnovers, disrupting passing lanes, or frustrating opposing guards, your impact reached far beyond statistics. You refused to let anyone get comfortable, always getting in someone’s face. Your Iverson move on Victor Wembanyama was everything!

And thank you for bringing your fearless spirit to a championship season New York will never forget. You are the Knicks Champion and native New Yorker; New York will never forget you!

Jordan Clarkson — The Veteran

Jordan Clarkson, thank you.

Championship teams are built on experience as much as talent. There is something steady about having a veteran in the room who has seen nearly every situation basketball can offer. You became that steady presence.

Whether your contribution came through scoring, leadership, encouragement, or simply understanding exactly what the team needed on a particular night, your value reached far beyond statistics.

You brought that wisdom to that locker room. For a while I thought maybe Coach wasn’t going to use you, but that Utah Jazz game, where you unleashed what had been sitting on the bench, waiting… The regular season revealed your professionalism. The postseason revealed your purpose.

When your number was called, you answered with confidence. When teammates needed encouragement, you were there. When difficult moments came up, your experience helped keep your teammates steady.

Your voice was needed. Even with the All-Stars, they needed you. Your presence mattered. Thank you, Jordan Clarkson.

The Knicks Assistant Coaches - The voices every coach needs

I am going to be very honest here. I have never seen a coaching bench like this. They didn’t just sit and watch. They participated in every game, every move. They jumped up and grabbed a player when needed, and were there when a player needed them.

To every assistant coach, thank you. Chris Jent, offensive coordinator, thank you. Brendan O’Connor, defensive coordinator, thank you.

Thank you to every player development coach, every strength and conditioning coach.

Thank you to the video coordinator, athletic trainer, equipment manager, and every member of the medical staff.

And everyone who works behind and in front of the scenes…

Thank you to everyone who shoots the T-shirts from the cannons, especially those who have those great arms, throwing T-shirts every game.

A special shout-out and thank you to the Knicks City Dancers and the Knicks City Kids who work so hard to entertain when the guys need a timeout.

There are so many thank yous to go around. I haven’t even gotten to the front office. Thank you, Leon, and Worldwide Wes. You asked us for patience. You delivered on every promise. You delivered a championship.

Everyone in the background, the ones who no team can win without. I thank you, the players on the bench, the assistant coaches and everyone behind the scenes. Thank you for giving your time, your particular expertise, your passion, and your heart to this remarkable season.

Under Orange and Blue Skies…Part III is next…

It features me thanking Coach Brown, heartfelt thanks and farewells to those who are moving on… and an extremely emotional thank you and goodbye to Mitchell Robinson.

This is dedicated to every Knicks fan who never stopped believing.

Believe it or not, I haven’t stopped crying off and on since June 13, 2026. I watch my favorite Championship videos over and over. That’s because I never want to lose this feeling!

There are championships that have been celebrated—some even multiple times. And then there are championships that are FELT!!!

That was this Championship. The last time the Knicks won a championship, I was 16 years old. For 53 years, generations of New Yorkers like me carried the same hope. They carried it through rebuilding seasons- oh my goodness, how many rebuilds in 53 years- the heartbreaking losses, that loss to the Heat in the second round of Jalen Brunson’s first playoff series with the Knicks, and the losses to the Pacers… Unforgettable disappointments and countless times repeating the same phrase…maybe next year.

One thing never wavered. The belief that our team would one day, someday, win another championship. We believed through every roster change, every season that ended in April, ending too soon. We believed because that’s what Knicks fans do. That’s what bound us together. No matter what, we packed stadiums wherever they played because that’s what Knicks fans do.

Then came the 2025-26 season. My belief in this team is so strong. When the trade deadline came along, I knew we had to keep Karl-Anthony Towns; we had to keep Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson, of course. This team was more than a roster. They went through it. They hashed it out until all the kinks were ironed out, and they finally became a family. Every player stripped away their egos and accepted their role. Every coach poured into these players and demanded excellence. Every member of the Knicks organization poured into something bigger than themselves.

When that final buzzer sounded on June 13, 2026, in that San Antonio Arena, it was the end of a 53-year wait. But this is not a recap. No, this is a thank you. Not my usual end-of-the-season thank you to the team for another great year, another great try. “It was an exciting year!” No. This is my thank you to the players and coaches who carried the hopes of an entire city on their backs. They carried their fans on their backs while they wore the heaviest jerseys in the league…the jewel-encrusted jersey of the New York Knicks.

Here is Part I of Under Orange and Blue Skies…

The New York Knicks Starting Five…

Jalen Brunson - The Captain. The “DUDE”

Jalen Brunson, thank you.

It was said that the Knicks needed a “dude.” I think Cap has proven that he is him, that dude.

Some players lead with their voices. Others lead with their actions. JB, Cap, he chose to do both. From the “job’s not done” to the dark sunglasses and cool resolve after every playoff win.

From the opening tip of the regular season, you carried yourself with the quiet confidence of someone who understood exactly what it meant to wear the jeweled-encrusted jersey of the New York Knicks. You never asked to be the center of attention; that was your playing that always made the moment seem to find you. Whether the game demanded a clutch basket, a calming presence, or a timely assist, your teammates knew exactly where to look.

They looked to their captain.

Leadership cannot always be measured by points, assists, or victories. Sometimes leadership is measured by the confidence you give everyone around you. You made teammates better because you trusted them. You made fans believe because you never stopped believing in yourself. Every possession mattered to you. Every game mattered to you. Every opportunity to represent New York mattered to you. Every. Single. One. That commitment became contagious.

Throughout the regular season, your consistency set the standard for everyone who wore orange and blue. You competed with toughness, played with poise, and embraced all challenges without searching for excuses. You understand that championships are earned long before the playoffs begin, and your example became the basis upon which this remarkable season was built.

During the regular season, you led your team with 26 ppg (10th in the league), 3.3 rebounds rpg, 6.8 assists apg, and from the field you shot 46.7%. You went to the All—Star game for the third time, second consecutive time as a starter.

And for the very first time, you led your team to an Emirates Cup win, with an MVP trophy for yourself. But that wasn’t the win or the trophy you were striving for; no, you had something bigger in mind… Which leads me to the postseason…

In this historic postseason, you averaged 28.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 6.1 apg, and shot 46.7% from the field.

When the lights grew brightest and the pressure intensified, you somehow became even steadier. Every series came with new challenges. Every opponent arrived with a different plan, a different “Brunson killer” to slow you down. Yet time and time again, you answered with the same ferocious resolve that had determined your entire season. The biggest moments never intimidated you.

They introduced you. “That Dude!”

History will remember the 45 points in Game 5, the unforgettable displays, the MVP awards, the otherworldly playoff run and the championship celebration. Knicks fans, we will, however, remember something even greater.

You gave a city its belief back.

Thanks, Cap.

Karl-Anthony Towns - The “Thunder”

KAT, thank you.

After another disappointing early exit from the 2023 playoffs, James Dolan demanded the superstar he was promised.

That is what you brought to New York. And you’ve been our thunder ever since.

From the moment you put on a Knicks uniform, you brought a unique dimension to this team. Whether you are stretching the floor, dominating the paint, rebounding in traffic, or creating mismatches, you forced opponents to rethink everything they wanted to do defensively. Every possession carried the possibility that you would change the game with one shot from the logo, one rebound, one pass, or one powerful finish at the rim.

That is why I call you The Thunder. (And of course, ThunderKat)

Because of the impact.

Throughout the regular season, you welcomed the challenge of being on a team with championship expectations. There were adjustments to make, new coaches to learn, and a city whose basketball standards are unlike any other. Yet you never allowed those expectations to become distractions. You accepted the responsibility given by the coaches, trusted the process, and became an essential part of a team that grew stronger together.

Championship teams are never built around individual accomplishments. They are built around players willing to sacrifice for one another. You did exactly that.

There were nights when your rebounding controlled the game. There were nights when your willingness to make the extra pass created opportunities that never showed in the box score. Every one of those moments mattered.

For the majority of the season, you led the league in rebounding. You averaged 20.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, and shot an incredible 50.1% from the field and 36.8% from well beyond the arc.

When the postseason began, the pressure only magnified your value. After a rough start with the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks had to go to a new game plan. They had to play like they could have played all season when they were playing possum. They put you at the top of the key and unleashed a Knicks team unlike anything seen during the regular season. Once opponents saw your new offense, defenses focused on taking away your strengths, yet you continued to create opportunities for everyone around you. Every rebound extended possessions. Every screen created space. Every timely basket reminded opponents there was no easy answer for the problems you presented.

During this unprecedented playoff and championship run, you were amazing. You averaged 15.9 ppg, 10.6 rpg!, 4.9 apg, 1.3 bpg, and shot an incredible 55.1% from the field and 45.6 from three.

Championship basketball demands more than talent. It demands trust.

You earned the trust of your teammates, your coaches, and an entire fan base that watched you embrace New York with humility and determination.

When the final buzzer went off on the championship season, you became part of Knicks history, and your legacy was cemented.

Thank you, Bodega KAT, for delivering the thunder when New York needed it most.

OG Anunoby - The Quiet Force

Thank you, OG.

The loudest player is not always the most important one. Sometimes the player who changes everything says the least. That was you, OG. That tip will be NBA Finals folklore for decades to come.

Game after game, assignment after assignment, you accepted the toughest defensive challenge without hesitation. Whether the matchup required strength, patience, discipline, or relentless effort, you approached every possession with the same steady confidence that became one of this team’s greatest strengths.

You should have been in the running for the Defensive Player of the Year. You definitely should have been NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Throughout the regular season, your value reached far beyond points scored. Every DUNK, every deflection, every contested shot, every loose ball recovered, and every extra effort reflected the championship identity this team developed together. While opponents applauded highlights, you quietly collected winning plays.

That is what made you different. You understood that every possession matters. As if it were life or death.

During this championship season, you averaged 16.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, and 1.6 spg. You shot 48.4% from the field and 38.6% from three. Every game had at least one OG dunk. The best I could get for the number of dunks OG averaged during a regular season was from AI - Per AI… “Tracking data historically puts Anunoby at roughly 0.5 to 0.8 dunks per game - averaging around 40 to 55 dunks across a typical 75-82 game season.

When the playoffs arrived, your importance became impossible to overlook. Defensive stops became momentum. Timely baskets became turning points. Hustle became contagious. The little things that regularly go unnoticed during an 82-game season suddenly became the difference between winning and going home.

You never asked for credit. You simply kept delivering.

Every championship team needs a player whose consistency never changes, regardless of the stage. You became that player. You averaged 20.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 spg, and 1.1 bpg. You shot an amazing 56.1% from the field and 38.6 from beyond the arc.

The box score will always tell part of your story.

Knicks fans know the rest. We know the countless possessions in which your defense changed the game before anyone else noticed. They know the sacrifices you made so teammates could succeed. They know the confidence you inspired simply by being exactly who you have always been. Quiet. Reliable. Unselfish.

Championships are filled with lasting moments. Many of them begin with one defensive stop. OR ONE OFFENSIVE TIP heard round the world!

Thank you for giving New York so many of them. Thank you for proving that greatness never has to announce itself.

Sometimes… It simply goes to work… OG, OG, OG, OG…

Thank you, OG.

Josh Hart - The Heartbeat

Josh Hart, thank you…so much!

Every team has a heartbeat. The player whose energy never dips. The player who refuses to let one possession define the next. The player who reminds everyone that effort is a skill. For this team, that player is you.

There are players who fill up a box score, and then there are players who fill every role a team has and develop it into a science to win a championship. Need a rebound? Josh Hart. Need someone to dive on the floor? Josh Hart. Need a defensive stop? Josh Hart. Need someone willing to guard a bigger player, make the extra pass, sprint the floor, or simply outwork everyone else? Josh Hart.

Your fingerprints were on every part of this remarkable season because you never limited yourself to one responsibility. Whatever the game demanded, you answered. Without hesitation. Without complaint. Without ever asking whether someone else should do it instead.

That selflessness became one of the defining characteristics of this championship team. The regular season revealed what Knicks fans already knew. You play every possession like it could decide the game.

That passion became contagious. Teammates fed off your energy. Madison Square Garden fed off your energy. An entire city fed off your energy. During the regular season, you averaged 12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, and shot 50.8% from the field as well as 41.3%.

Then the postseason arrived, and believe it or not, you took it up a notch. If there was ever a stage built for the way you play basketball, it was playoff basketball. The intensity. The physicality. The urgency. The willingness to sacrifice your body for one more possession. You averaged 10.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg!, 4.6 apg, and 1.7 spg. You shot 43.1% from the field and 32.6 from three.

Those moments never intimidated you. They brought out the very best in you.

Some of the biggest plays during a championship run never appear on the front page the next morning. A hustle save along the sideline. Those plays became your signature.

Championships are won because players like Josh Hart refuse to let losing become an option. Thank you for reminding all of us that heart will never go out of style. Thank you for proving that toughness is contagious.

And thank you for showing New York exactly what playing for the name across your chest truly looks like.

You weren’t just part of a championship.

You became its heartbeat.

Thank you, Josh!

Mikal Bridges - The Ironman

Mikal Bridges, thank you.

There is a reason I have always called you Ironman. Iron doesn’t ask for recognition. Iron simply shows up. It carries the weight. It withstands the pressure. And no matter how difficult the challenge becomes…It refuses to break.

That is exactly who you were throughout this championship season. Night after night, your teammates knew they could depend on you. Whether it meant defending the opposing team’s best scorer, making the extra pass, knocking down a timely shot, or simply doing whatever the game required, your approach never changed.

In a league where availability is often overlooked, you reminded everyone that one of the greatest abilities a player can possess is dependability.

You answered the call every single night. Your professionalism became part of this team’s identity.

No excuses. No distractions. Just winning basketball. During the regular season, despite many challenges and so many distractions, you averaged 14.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, and 1.3 spg, and shot 49% from the field and 37.1 from three.

When the postseason began, your role only became more important. Every defensive assignment grew tougher. Every possession became more meaningful. Every mistake carried greater consequences.

Still…You never flinched, never wavered. Some playoff heroes are remembered for one spectacular shot. Others are remembered because they refused to let another team’s star make that shot. You made opponents earn everything.

Your defense frustrated. The Ironman never needed headlines. He simply kept showing up until there was no more work left to do. During this incredible playoff run, you averaged 13.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, and 1.0 spg. Even more impressive was your average from the field; you shot a spectacular 55.9% from the field and 37.1% from three.

Thank you, Mikal, for reminding all of us that reliability is one of the greatest gifts a teammate can give. Thank you for your toughness. Thank you for your sacrifice.

And thank you for that IG Live!

Thanks Mikal, F them picks!

Those are my thank yous to the starters, all leaders in their own right and in every way they’re needed to be. But without these next players, we might still be saying… “maybe next year.”

Coming up next in Part II of “Under Orange and Blue Skies…The New York Knicks incomparable bench!

Please trust me when I say there is nothing wrong with your world. You have not had something put in your drink, food, or directly into your bloodstream. No, you are not hallucinating, and no one is coming to put you away. It’s real. It really happened. Yeah, they did it…

THE KNICKS ARE THE 2026 NBA CHAMPIONS!

It’s not just you. I have to keep saying it, too. Boy oh boy, I really need to stop listening to sports media. They know NOTHING!!! They were totally wrong about this game—this team.

Of course, they started the games slowly. Down by 10 in the first quarter. Yeah, 13/23. The so-called close-out game. The elimination game looked as if it were the Knicks heading into elinaation. I’m trying to be normal when nothing is normal in this moment, but it will be the norm come October.

I promise I will write you a piece with all of the stats and stuff. Right now, can I just bask in this?

Mike Brown. Thank you, Mike. You took all the shit there was to take. I knew it was your time. You paid your dues and should have been given a raise in
Sacramento, but instead, you got unemployment. Thank goodness, because it made you available to us. Now, instead of looking for their Steve Kerr, teams will be looking for their Mike Brown.

I don’t know if you will believe this, but this was destined. God was all up in this from the formation to the best outcome there could possibly be. You know it’s God, it’s ordained when it’s done supernaturally. The history! The records that were broken. The records that were made. Records that will be hard to break. Not just a championship, a statement not just for the NBA but everywhere.

The Finals

Jalen Brunson seems to get back at people on the court. Victor Wembanyama mushed Brunson and sent him to the floor. A flagrant foul should have been called. It could even have been a flagrant 2 because it was his head. So what does Brunson do? In the game where he sends Wemby to Cancun he went at him for a layup and made his 7’5 look like he was 5’7!

Not much drama in this series. There was no flopping, no gimmicks—just basketball. There were temper taantrumsd because Wemby is a child, Wemby did commit another flagrant on Brunson but Brunson had already determined he would be returning to New York not for a game 6, but as a champion. So he waited.

The Knicks went into this Finals series as a serious underdog. Gentlemen’s Sweep was even mentioned. Only it was the Spurs who were to sweep the Knicks.

Oh and bunk all that maybe one day Wemby will be the face of the league and firmly acknowledge that Jalen Brunson is the undisputed face of the league TODAY and no Chris Can’t-y - it’s in NO WAY Tyrese Haliburton. Jalen Brunson would never sit at home and get fat.

The Comeback Kings

The Knicks came from behind on every one of the games they won. They kept “chipping away” at the deficit.

They never quit, Ever. You think you’ve seen the best of ythe Knicks. They didn’t have one good game during these Finals. Not one. I spent every game with my head in my hands. Game 4 I wennt to bed in the third quarter. Only to have my son wake me screaming that they came back from that 29 down and won the game. I will never get back watching the greatest comeback in NBA history live.

But I never lost faith in them. Stupid me for listening to the sports media a-holes. But I know that some of you will understand because of how many times we did choke, how many times we came so close…only to collapse.

Miss Tee…

Like I said, I’m putting this out because my Knicks are World Champions. I owe you a postseason recap, and a regular season one also.

I get so overwhelmed when I think about the fact that the New York Knicks are the 2026 NBA Champions. That means, Mitchell Robinson is a Champion. Mitch who has been in every traade scenaro you could think of. Mitch who has seen the team go 17-65, twice. He is getting a ring in October. That first gaame. Where there will be a baanner raised inn the World’s Most Famous Arena.

They’re all Champions. Told you they were playing possum…

Above everything I am on this earth, I am a mother. With the help of my Mother, I have raised two of whom I believe are some great Black Kings. They weren’t always like that. No, I had to get through the hard-headed, the arrogant, the spoiled (I spoiled them) to get them to the men they are today. But they never were disrespectful, ungrateful, mean, or spiteful. They never tried to hurt anyone on purpose.

In the game of basketball, or any sport really, there is something called sportsmanship. To be a great sportsman, you should not have any of the qualities I mentioned previously. You shouldn’t downgrade your opponent, or purposely attempt to hurt them. And when they beat your ass, you should have the common courtesy to shake their hand….Victor.

So with that I will be talking to you soon. I promise, promise,

Until next time…THE KNICKS ARE THE 2026 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!

It’s 8:13 AM in the morning of game 5. I started this article days ago. After game 3. I’m sitting here typing and crying. Crying because my Knicks are about to win a championship, a championship I KNEW was coming and I’m not even in New York.

I was at least supposed to be there in a hotel somewhere where I could see the revelry.

No, my wish, when I was 16, was to grow up to be a part of the Knicks organization. My Substack is my way of being a part of something I have been waiting to see for 53 years.

How I knew it was this season…

I knew it because of Jalen Brunson. You know, back then, on July 12, 2022, everyone was so critical of Leon Rose and William Wesley. I was just happy to have a real life point guard on the team. You see I watched him kick Donovan Mitchell’s butt that season. He was young with no injuries, no mysterious background… His father, Rick Brunson was one of Thib’s assistant coaches and he’s Leon Rose’s godson. A little nepotism never hurt anybody…especially not the Knicks. Not this time around.

Have the Knicks Finally Found Their Point Guard

Last season they went to the Eastern Conference Finals losing to the Indiana Pacers. I had been screaming from my Substack that it was time for Tom Thibodeau to go. He was running the players into the ground. They had nothing left to fight with and it showed during that series.

Enough of the boo hoo hoo’s

I must admit, I am disappointed the Knicks lost game three. But I guess it was time for a loss. They were beginning to look like the old Knicks. Brunson’s playing iso ball, hardly having any assists.

In 1973, the great Willis Reed was the Captain. Mr. Reed was, is, and forever will be the Captain to me, though I respect Brunson. He’s still young, he will grow into his role and most likely be as big as the Cap…but he has to win this championship.

Brunson is already a great leader. Everyone in that locker room respects him, loves him and trusts him.

In 1973, the starters were much like the present ones. I know it was 53 years ago, and I sometimes fail to remember things that happened in the last half hour, but I remember the feeling. That’s the only difference. The media wasn’t fear mongering because of the gap in championships. The fans weren’t in fear of the team choking as much as wanting to smash their opponents. No one dared call them anything other than what they were… The 1973 Knicks were Champions.

It’s different today. Today’s players are paying the price of 53 years of failure. A-holes like rapper Camron predict the Knicks will choke because of the 90’s Knicks. As great as they were, these guys today are built from something different.

Told you they needed a loss…

Game 4. First let’s get in their ass for being down 29. Okay that’s enough.

They came back from 29 points down. It is the largest come from behind victory in NBA Finals history. That night, Jalen Brunson’s partner in crime was OG Anunoby. Brunson missed a three-pointer and OG swooped in and tipped it back, the game winning basket. Everything else doesn’t matter in Knicks Nation. We had the biggest win of the NBA Finals, and because the next game is in San Antonio, the Knicks faithful, started partying after the game.

That’s why I have that same feeling, even though everyone and everything is pointing to Mr. Crybaby so-called face of the future NBA as the champion.

Not this time. Tear those damn scripts up. Mike Brown and the new Knicks lost a game and you remember what happened after their last loss. Or maybe you don’t, it was in April. This is us. The Knicks are it in 2026.

We’ve had our bumps, our bruises, hell, we’ve been shot a couple of times this season. We went 2 of 11 (that was the Emirates curse), we never defeated the Detroit Pistons, couldn’t get a winning streak to ten for the past two years but now they’ve gone on a 13-game win streak IN THE POSTSEASON.

I promise to get into all the stats and everything for the season and the postseason in my end of season article. Today I’m running on emotions and memories.

The Knicks are about to be Champions and I’m not there…

The officials have been messing with us since game 1 of the Finals. Victor Wembanyama has been proclaimed the face of the League from now until forever. I don’t think so. The face of the league cannot be a dirty player and I don’t think the basketball gods will allow it. No, they won’t stand for it.

I’m supposed to be there. My heart is definitely there. My old MS ridden behind doesn’t need to be in those crowds anyway. That wasn’t really the dream. I wanted to be in the Garden, sitting next to Tracy Morgan. Miss Tee on Basketball… Discussing my latest article or controversial podcast…

Miss Tee…

Let’s get real. Miss Tee’s been writing this article the whole time. No need for this section. It’s my feelings and they shouldn’t be anything but jubilant on this day. The day my Knicks could possibly become champions again after all this time. And I am jubilant because I know age ain’t nothing but a number and I could very well be there for next year’s championship. Oh yes…remember Mike Brown is building a “championship culture.”

I know there are millions of 1970’s and 1973’s fans. We’re in our late 60’s and early (or late) 70’s. But I bet they feel like me today. They feel like who they were on May 10, 1973. I was a 16-year-old full of life. I had survived some heavy health issues and I was celebrating life, I survived! My Knicks were champions and I skipped school to watch the parade.

There was some controversy that 1973 season. The Knicks had acquired Earl Monroe during the offseason. Sports media had already declared that Monroe and Walt “Clyde” Frazier would never be able to play together. “There would have to be two balls” because Monroe and Frazier were both ball dominant players. The part that got me was that Dick Barnett was sent to the bench. I wasn’t very happy about Monroe coming to the team. He had been kicking our butts as a member of the Washington Bullets and I didn’t like him…at all. But once they had figured it out, and my team seemed happy, so was I.

There was also a lot of controversy with this team, this season. The front office had fired the coach that brought respectability back to the World’s Most Famous Arena. Mike Brown was Thibs opposite in every way. There were calls for Mike Brown’s job every other game. He was being criticized for how he used the bench, his so-called non-adjustments during regular season games and because the Thibs people wanted him gone. “He’s no better than Thibs. He’s worse,” they cried. There were the heartbreaking calls for the Knicks to trade Karl-Anthony Towns for Giannis Antetokounmpo. I thought I could feel KAT’s pain with every taunt from the fans and media. Not only KAT but they wanted to send Mikal Bridges with him. Poor Mikal. He had some ups and very downs during the season and was a little cold coming into the postseason, but after changing their offense he was incredible.

I got Knicks in 5. What about you?

Until next time…

I asked this question in August of last year. At the time, I was more than ready for a Knicks championship. Knicks Nation, this is no longer a whimsical question from some old-lady Knicks fan (who told you guys this was coming).

How dare anyone question that the New York Knicks have as much, if not more, ability to win the Larry O’Brien as the Spurs? I promised myself that I would be good. No calling people names like crybaby or arrogant so and so.” Not like other content creators and podcasters who have doubted, maligned, and cursed the Knicks.

The Knicks are about to be champions…

The last time I was here… here being the 1973 Championship… I was 16, and the Knicks did it. They were the champions.

I’m sorry, but I can’t compare this to 1994 or 1999. No matter how great the players were, they didn’t become champions. No matter how beloved, and y’all know how I love Carmelo Anthony. In my heart, I wish this could be shared with all those deserving Knicks alumni.

But this team…

Sports media and YouTube content creators pointed out reason after reason why this Knicks team would never get a championship. Their major concern was what the starters lacked.

These are the team leaders so far during this postseason (per game).

Jalen Brunson - too small: led the team with 26.8 points and 6.3 assists.

Karl-Anthonny Towns - too soft: led the team with 10.8 rebounds. Also had 17.3 points and 5.6 assists.

Mikal Bridges - paid too much: It’s not about Mikal’s stats per game. It’s what stops his opponents from having great per-game stats. His defense is stellar. Bridges has 14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists so far this postseason.

OG Anunoby - too unimaginative: Okay, this unimaginative young man is currently scoring 19.3 points, and has 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. I wish they would break down the points with dunks per game. I know OG would be leading that field hands down.

Josh Hart - too unskilled: This unskilled young man is the total heart of this team and has captured the hearts of Knicks fans everywhere. He didn’t lead the team in numbers you can see in the stats, with 10.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. But where is the stat line for the team’s heart and soul?

The Knicks finally have a coach…

It seemed as if with every season since the Knicks got RJ Barrett with the third pick, I had new dreams of what the Knicks could be. But no. One bad coach after another. One horrible President of Basketball Operations after another. The Knicks couldn’t catch a break.

Finally, on March 2, 2020, James Dolan hired Leon Rose, who promised a five-year turnaround. He’s done it in six. The first thing he did was hire Tom Thibodeau. I’ve said this many times before about my friend who pictured Thibs as Mark Jackson and who could be our Steve Kerr.

Coach Mike Brown was an assistant under Steve Kerr and even coached the team during a championship run while Kerr was sidelined with back issues. He won 11 straight games during that time.

• Under Brown, the Knicks posted a 53-29 record. They were third in the Eastern Conference and second in the Atlantic Division.

• Their offensive rating was 119.8 (3rd in the League)

• Their defensive rating was 113.3 (7th in the League)

These numbers depict an elite two-way team in terms of efficiency, combining the best offense with the best defense. A team that won their first round against the Atlanta Hawks 4-2, that swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4-0, and won the Eastern Conference Finals by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0.

A historical journey…

The Knicks 13-game playoff win streak has produced some historical milestones. The Knicks have the second-longest postseason win streak in NBA history, second only to the 2017 Golden State Warriors (where Mike Brown was an assistant coach).

• Second-longest playoff win streak in NBA history with 13 games. On their way home to the World’s Most Famous Arena for two games, will the Knicks capture the title on their home floor? Only the 2017 Golden State Warriors with Keven Durant have a longer streak with 15.

• Largest 13-game point differential in playoff history. The +273 point differential is the largest in NBA playoff or regular season history.

• The Knicks tied the 2001 Lakers for the longest road winning streak in a single postseason.

Two more wins to go…

With two more wins, my son will see the New York Knicks win a championship. I don’t think that’s hit me yet. I can write about this team that I’ve loved since I was 12, and I haven’t seen them win since 1973.

You see, coming close doesn’t mean the same thing as winning it all. I knew this team could do it with Jalen Brunnson. I don’t know how I knew, but I did.

I watched my son hoop and holler while the Knicks were winning that second game in San Antonio. He looked at me in amazement, “Ma, the Knicks are about to win a championship!” Although I know it to be true, I find myself to be quietly contemplative. What will the League do when they find out this is not a one-shot deal?

Never miss a moment with the latest news, trending stories and highlights to bring you closer to your favorite players and teams.

Miss Tee…

I’m just home from New York last Sunday. I lost a large piece of my heart in May. My Uncle Van. He had been sick for some time in New York. My son and I had been planning to visit him and my Aunt (two of Miss Tee’s biggest supporters) when the Knicks went to the Finals. I didn’t know if I was more eager to see them or to see the Knicks win a championship. My voice has been silent since we lost him. The very first thing I ever wrote was a poem for him. You could definitely say he started my writing career. He wouldn’t want me to be quiet now. Not when what I’ve been talking and yakking about all season was this championship.

So tomorrow night I will have on my Knicks’ game uniform, but for this game and, as far as I can see, for games, my uniform will have a new addition. A very special locket close to my heart. Come on, Unc…let’s go get this chip.

Until next time

…

The New York Knicks are about to sweep the Philadelphia 76ers. ESPN, CBS, NBC, the Hawks and Sixers podcasters all wanted the series to be tied up after game 4.

I can’t blame the media for how they feel. Monica McNutt who is the Knicks radio broadcaster predicted “Knicks in six” then wanted to change it to Knicks in seven. Can’t blame her either. The full blame falls on the Knicks. During game four of the Hawks series, a version of the Knicks that no one has ever seen (if I’m wrong, if you’ve seen these Knicks before, please tell me what game) emerged in Atlanta, GA. The first of six games that has shown the vision of Coach Mike Brown. The vision kept hidden for 85 games.

As it stands now, on this Mothers’ Day, the Knicks could possibly sweep the Sixers. Game four is on at 3:30 PM. What I wanted was to be taken out to dinner. Surf and turf. That’s changed. I want a win today. Please and thank you, Knicks.

Let’s talk about game three.

The Knicks have a problem coming into this game, as far as anyone knows. OG Anunoby has a hamstring strain although they assure us that it’s very mild. Josh Hart hurt his hand in game two, and Mitchell Robinson missed game two due to illness. All were on the GTD list. So was Joel Embiid. All except OG played.

The Sixers

The Sixers that came to play on May 8 reminded me of the Knicks of May 2024 who, exhausted, hobbled, and injured played the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals and lost.

Kelly Oubre, Jr. was the Sixer’s leading scorer. He was also their leading clown, making big head gestures at Jalen Brunson. Really if his head were as big as you say, you would have had to go into concussion protocol after you head butted him. Oubre had 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 offensive, and 1 assist.

Paul George. AKA Playoff P, Podcast P, Pandemic P. All those P’s came out at the start of the game on all cylinders. Scared the mess out of me. Had me thinking crazy. George had 15 points, 1 offensive rebound and 1 steal - in the FIRST QUARTER. He was 75% from three! When the game ended and all was said and done, George had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 offensive, 3 assists and 2 steals. Yes, that’s right. He only scored in the first quarter.

Joel Embiid. The reason the Knicks were going to lose this game. Yeah, right. Embiid had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 offensive, 5 assists and 3 blocks. During his postgame presser Embiid said he wasn’t worried, taking one game at a time. They won three straight against the Celtics… You’re playing the Knicks now…the brand-new Knicks, and you’d have to win 4 games.

VJ Edgecombe, the young man catching lobs and chest bumping in celebration in the first quarter. Knicks celebrate when they win. VJ had the fewest points of the Sixer starters. He had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 offensive, 4 assists and 2 steals Not much help there.

And then there was Tyrese Maxey. Not much to say about the guy who was supposed to take off and defeat the Knicks. Maxey had 17 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal.

The Sixers bench scored 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 offensive, and 1 steal.

The Knicks…

Josh Hart had another double-double. The “heart” of the city had 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 offensive, 3 assists and 1 steal. Josh is the fire that gets the Knicks going.

Mikal Bridges was averaging 7 points in his first 5 games of the postseason. In his last 4, Bridges has been dropping over 20 points per game. In this game, Mikal had 23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. He also had Maxey tied up, making sure there wouldn’t be any 30-point games from him.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 8 points. That was fine. The Knicks had 8 points from their second-best player and won the game by 14. Most important he had 12 rebounds, 4 of them offensive, 7 assists and 1 block. KAT had three early fouls which kept him on the bench. Just think if KAT wasn’t in foul trouble he might have been playing instead of Mitch who gave Embiid the #1 play of the night for May 8.

Brunson. The highest scoring player of the night led his team with 33 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. The captain’s leadership on the court is brilliant and the way he maneuvers in between his opponents makes him the most dangerous player on the floor. As of this game Brunson holds the record for the most 30-point playoff games in Knicks franchise history passing Patrick Ewing.

Deuce McBride’s stats are nothing to write about, but his defense is all any coach can ask for. Mikal and Jalen made up for the offense missing from OG. Deuce has the defense.

Landrey Shamet. Shamet could not get the ball in the basket during the end of the regular season and up until now in the postseason. Then, just like Jordan Clarkson and Mikal Bridges, all of a sudden not only did his talents come back, but they came back better than before. In his last 10 games, including Friday’s game, Shamet has averaged 3.7 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists. On Friday, he had 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 offensive, and 1 steal. Shamet turned the game around. Possum. Off the bench.

There were no hack-a-Mitch shenanigans on Friday night. No OG, that’s fine. The Knicks had Mitchell Robinson who was ready. Robinson had 6 points and 6 rebounds, 2 offensive. He also had the #1 play of the night. It’s my cover photo. The best part was that Embiid ended up on his ass.

The Knicks bench, minus Shamet and Robinson had 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 offensive, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Miss Tee…

I must admit there were times this season when I faltered. I feared that I had been wrong, once again, about this team reaching the Finals. I didn’t know what to write or how to write with all the despair I was feeling. In some of my writing I have cussed out, maligned, and misunderstood Coach Mike Brown…now, I can’t say enough about him.

It seems that his players bought into his scheme of having their fans believe them to be infighting, cannot get it together, and that the coach has no respect in the locker room. I have prayed for this team. This is the Knicks team we deserve. And they deserve to go to the Finals, and win.

Coach Brown wants “to build a sustainable, championship culture.” He has the players for it, and I believe he’s the coach for it. It’s his time, it’s the Knicks time, its New York’s time.

Whether we use the brooms today or not, I am so proud of this team.

Until next time…

I hope that by the time I press the publish button I have great news regarding OG Anunoby. That’s the most important thing on the minds of everyone in Knicks Nation.

Finally here it is, per ESPN,

Yes!

Now let’s get to this game.

The Knicks take a 2-0 lead in this series after a tight one at Madison Square Garden. I don’t know about the Garden crowd, but there were times during this game that I was holding my breath and didn’t know it. Double digit leads are much better.

The Sixers…

Wednesday afternoon the Sixers announced that Joel Embiid would be out for game two. Already?!! I didn’t think he’d be out until at least game four. But according to them he has injured his ankle and hip. I think he needs more rest.

Philly came out all chippy. Paul George did his best impression of CJ McCollum. And he did good for his old self. He had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 1 offensive, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. You couldn’t tell Playoff P that the Sixers would not be victorious, and he would not be the hero. He had to experience the Jalen Brunson and Knicks fourth quarter for himself. I don’t think he knew the Knicks are the number one fourth quarter team in the league.

Kelly Oubre, Jr. also had 19 points. Included were 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. He was also under the delusion.

VJ Edgecombe had 17 points, 5 rebounds, two offensive rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.

Tyrese Maxey led his team with 26 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal.

The Sixers have an eight-man rotation. Remember when the Knicks had an eight man rotation, the starters were gassed by the fourth quarter? But they had Captain Clutch. The Sixers don’t have a captain clutch, and they were totally gassed and scored just 12 points in those 12 minutes.

The Knicks…

I didn’t like that the Knicks didn’t lead after quarters one, two or three. This game had 25 lead changes, the most in a playoff game since May 2015. The game also had 14 ties. No team led by more than seven points. The Knicks finished stronger, getting 19 points in the fourth, to once again win the fourth quarter and the game.

OG has been the most consistent of all the Knicks. He has averaged 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in these eight games in the playoffs. Only Brunson has better stats so you can imagine Knicks Nation’s fears when he clutched that hamstring. But he’s going to be good, day-to-day. In my opinion, if Embiid is not playing, OG can take a game or two off. Maybe even if he is. I know, I know Embiid was tired for the first game.

OG had 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 offensive, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 block and ZERO turnovers. Four steals! ZERO turnovers!

Josh Hart may have had only 5 points, but he also had 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Seven rebounds are the second highest number of rebounds grabbed by the Knicks this game and they were in need of another high-volume rebounder with Mitchell Robinson out.

Karl-Anthony Towns had just 1 rebound in the first half of this game. One. Why? Because he decided he wanted to have 3 personal fouls in the first half. Two fouls in the first, and one within the first 46 seconds of the second quarter. Brian Windhorst went on a rant on ESPN screaming, “you have to stop fouling” over and over. He’s not wrong. KAT played just 8:17 in the first half. So how did he get 10 rebounds? He got nine of them all in the most dramatic and anxiety-filled quarter of the playoffs, the fourth. KAT had 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 offensive, 1 steal and a block.

Mikal Bridges, or Brooklyn Bridges, I now call him because that is the version of Mikal that got him to the Knicks for all those picks. Again, I wonder how he suddenly, after scoring one point in a game, transformed into the player the Knicks traded for. In this game, Mikal had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 offensive, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Mikal must and I wholeheartedly believe he will, step up for any time OG will miss.

The captain, Jalen Brunson, had one of his best clutch performances in the fourth quarter in these playoffs. Granted, he hasn’t played many fourth quarters. In this game the Sixers came into the quarter leading the Knicks, 90-89. There had been 25 lead changes, and 14 ties as I stated previously. But now, in the last 12 minutes of the game, the Knicks do what has made them the best fourth quarter team in the league. They kick ass! Brunson put on his Captain Clutch cape and went to work. In the game he had 26 points, a rebound, 6 assists, and a steal. In the last 12 minutes he had 8 points, missing only one basket.

Jordan Clarkson so far is the best off the bench. In this game he had 6 points and 5 rebounds. Most importantly he had 3 offensive rebounds, and the Knicks had only 9 for the entire game.

The Knicks bench contributed an additional nine points. Deuce McBride and Jose Alvarado both hit two very vital three-pointers at just the right times.

Miss Tee…

I guess I don’t have to tell you that this was an anxiety-ridden game for me. I like the blowout Knicks, even though I know that’s not feasible. Can we agree that double-digit wins are better?

The Sixers believe, I guess because of the Boston series, that they can defeat the Knicks and win the series. They can’t. Number one reason being they cannot keep up with the pace. Many in the media felt that if Embiid had played in this game the Sixers would have had help in the fourth quarter. HOW? If Maxey, George and VJ were gassed what condition do you think Embiid would be in?

I think the Knicks should sit OG for the very least game three. I know that he’s been the best player on the floor most times, but if he hurts himself further… I don’t even want to think about that.

Today is the anniversary of the New York Knicks most special day, May 8, 1970. Willis Reed emerged from the tunnel and onto the floor. Willis scored just four points but that gave his teammates what they needed to defeat the Lakers and win their first championship. This game was the first to be nationally televised on ABC but was blacked out in New York City and could not be seen until after the 11:00 PM news. So, in real time my Dad and I had to listen to the game on the radio. When Marv Albert said “Here comes Willis Reed” as the Knicks captain was coming out to join his teammates for the pregame warmup, all I could do was cry. He was going to make the difference, the Knicks were going to win, and although the Captain scored just four points, they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 99-113.

After 53 years, the Knicks will win another championship. This season. Don’t believe me, just watch.

Until next time…

The sports world declared on Monday morning, May 4, that the Philadelphia 76ers were going to be the team to come out of the east. Brian Windhorst said that if they continue to play as they did against the Boston Celtics, they could win it all.

No one thought the Knicks would stand up against them. Even those who claimed to believe in the Knicks wavered at the name Joel Embiid. No one said anything about the Sixers and Embiid being tired from the seven-game series and the travel to New York.

But on Monday night, the Knicks began the Eastern Conference semi-finals defeating the Sixers 98-137. Yes, 39 points. But on Tuesday morning, there were still doubters.

This Knicks team’s cohesiveness is beyond anything I’ve seen. Just as they demolished the Atlanta Hawks, they spanked the Sixers and put them in timeout in the third quarter. “They’re tired, they had a very traumatic seven game series against the Celtics. “I call bull-ish! What happened? Couldn’t take your own medicine?” VJ Edgecombe made flopping gestures when Jalen Brunson would get the and one. Can’t take what they dish out. Hmmm…

The Sixers…

“Maxey won’t play that bad again” - Why not? On ESPN they said Tyrese Maxey has not had a game with less than 25 points since February. He didn’t get tired during the regular season? This is the second round of the playoffs; there are no excuses to be made. Maxey was so tired he had just 13 points, three rebounds and two assists. He also had four turnovers and was a -28.

Joel Embiid’s fatigue made him only able to score 14 points, have four rebounds, and one assist. This is the fewest points he’s scored in a playoff game in three years. -24

Paul George was full of energy and led the Sixers with 17 points, three rebounds and three assists. -26

Kelly Oubre, Jr.’s energy was depleted to the point of scoring just 12 points, just like VJ Edgecombe had 12 points. Oubre -25 VJ -15

The Knicks…

The Knicks are not tired. They were phenomenal on Monday night. They didn’t just win the game they made a statement. But folks trying to act as if they can’t hear.

OG Anunoby shot 87.5% from the field for 18 points, 100% from three and 100% from free. +22

Josh Hart shot only 42.9% from the field for 8 points. But he also had 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a block. +24

Karl-Anthony Towns had to be tired with Embiid running into him, and the fouls KAT committed against him. KAT shot 63.6% from the field for 17 points, 6 rebounds including 2 offensive, 6 assists and 2 blocks. KAT never went to the free throw line if you can believe that, but he had 4 fouls. +11

Mikal Bridges, who has been in the worse slump, all of a sudden regained all of his talents during the last games of the Hawks series. Mikal shot 7 of 10 for 70% from the field, for 17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, a block and ZERO turnovers. +19

Jalen Brunson must have had a lot of rest over the weekend because he shook everyone with 35 points on 66.7% shooting, 50% from three and a perfect 8 of 8 from free.

Every Knick except Jeremy Sochan played and each Knick scored. Coach Brown pulled the starters during the third quarter. Not one starter played in the fourth.

Miss Tee…

You know, I’m so over the whole Knicks ain’t, Knicks can’t, Knicks won’t bs that is going on. Please people be quiet. You haven’t seen all that the Knicks are capable of. And the Sixers are so tired! That 15-minute plane ride from Boston was so grueling!

The Knicks didn’t just win - they annihilated them. Philly is making excuses and whining they’re tired. Begging their fans not to sell their tickets from New York. Didn’t work, 56% of the tickets for game 3 have been sold to people from New York and New Jersey.

Nick Nurse was so tired, that the only play he could think of after seeing what the Knicks were going to do, was the always game-winning hack a Mitch. Just so you know, Nurse, that’s the weakest, dorkiest move a coach can make. You never see Coach Brown doing it.

There are so many out there who are hating on the New York Knicks that we have to take it upon ourselves to send our team positive vibes. And Knicks Nation, chill out! Save the festivities for when the Knicks win the Eastern Conference Finals.

I wonder what will be said after game two… Expect adjustments, intensity, and a much different vibe. Philly is going to try to claw their way back to some semblance of their Boston series. But the Knicks are not the Celtics.

Until next time…

Ever since the end of game six in the Knicks/Hawks series, I have been trying to put into words how I feel about the Knicks’ first round play. I have to admit I punked out and only watched a portion of game 3 and was asleep when the Knicks lost it by one.

Before game 4, I took my note pages, folder, notebook and put them away. I decided I wasn’t going to give up on my Knicks. If they were going to go down to a Hawks team that shouldn’t have been in the playoffs let alone were attempting to send us home, I was going to stand with them. Just me. No writing until the series finished. And it’s just what I did.

Game four I went back to my old gray and black Knicks tee. It was a little chilly, so I wore my new Knicks sweatpants. They won and Karl-Anthony Towns had a triple-double for the first time in his playoff career. Hmmm…

The Knicks came out physical in that game four. No matter what, they knew going down 1-3 was not an option. So, they came out and did their thing. KAT had his triple double 20-10-10, OG Anunoby led the team with 22 points and added 10 rebounds, Jalen Brunson was quiet with 19 points. They tried that tired ass hack-a-Mitch and Mitch made two out of three of them. Y’all need to give that up. Coaches you look weak. The Knicks walked away with a win in the second game in Atlanta. Tied everything up and turned it into a two of three series.

Game five in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Hawks thought they could win another in MSG but were so very sadly mistaken. The Knicks totally showed out at home. They should have! Made their fans watch them lose by one point in game two. As much as those tickets cost. They never let the Hawks lead by more than two points, and that was the very beginning of the game. OG and KAT both had double doubles, but the captain led everyone with 39 points and eight assists. And 17 of Brunson’s points came in the fourth quarter. Out of the blue Jeremy Sochan was put into the game and scored 10 points in 3:28. He was 4 of 4 from the field, made one from deep, but missed a free throw. It was at this point that my “are they playing possum” theory popped up again. Were they? Who the hell are these guys? If this game had you scratching your head, (like me) then game six…

I know you must wonder why I haven’t mentioned games one, two or three. I can tell you straight up it’s because I don’t consider those games have anything to do with the Knicks playoffs moving forward. The Knicks may not have wanted to reveal their true selves during the first round, but they had to. Or some of it. I believe game six was just the beginning.

I don’t believe they’ve reached their highest ultra instinct. Ultra instinct is “a divine transcendent state when utilized, allows the body to react, dodge, and attack autonomously without conscious thought.” Coach Mike Brown stated in one of his news conferences that he didn’t like to call plays while the game was going on. He wanted the guys to get to a place where their basketball instincts would take over. He also spoke on the team’s connectivity being higher than any team he’s seen.

All those rumors of so-called strife in the locker room. All of the “get rid of Mikal” cries because it was believed he wasn’t able to do the job.

In game six, Bridges miraculously regained his talents and had 24 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block. OG led the way with 29 points, seven rebounds, four steals and a block (Joel Embiid WHO??!!). KAT had another triple double, 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and a block, and only took one shot. Brunson had a quiet night with just 17 points, eight assists and ZERO turnovers.

Every Knick played in game six and every Knick scored.

Nothing is ever going to be the same. You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube guys. We’ve seen what we’ve seen. You guys didn’t play this well when you won the Emirates Cup.

Second Round EC Semi-Finals - Knicks vs Sixers

Here we are again. The Knicks vs the Sixers in the playoffs. This time the Knicks have KAT, a very healthy Mitchell Robinson who “stands on business,” an extremely healthy OG and Mikal, and the roommates Josh and Jalen are all good, also. The Knicks also have a VERY DEEP BENCH.

The Knicks host game one on Monday, May 4th at 8:00 PM. I expect the game to be physical, very physical on the Knicks part. Joel Embiid will attempt to be physical but he won’t be able to injure Mitch again. Sixers are coming up against a Knicks big three trio, which for me is KAT, OG and Mitch, and the Knicks’ depth.

The Knicks finished their first round and has had time to not only rest, but practice and watch tapes on the Sixers. The Sixers just finished a seven game first round match against the Boston Celtics on Saturday.

Key Matchups to watch

• Joel Embiid vs KAT/Mitchell Robinson - who defends the rim and draws fouls? Will Embiid have the stamina to play 48 minutes against these two? One or the other will always be on the floor. KAT and Mitch both must stay out of foul trouble, If they can, Embiid will be pretty tired by the end of games. KAT’s spacing, will he pull Embiid out and Mitch’s rim protection and physicality should wear Embiid down. Must watch out for Embiid’s dirty play.

• Jalen Brunson vs Philly wings - JB is the Knicks’ closer, but Philly has Paul George, Kelly Oubre and VJ Edgecombe to throw at him.

• Tyrese Maxey vs Knicks Perimeter Defense - Oh no! The Knicks have to play perimeter defense! The Knicks are going to need to use multiple defenders including, Josh Hart, Bridges and Miles Deuce McBride.

• VJ Edgecombe and that three-point shot. The Knicks are going to have to defend the perimeter, that’s all. This kid will keep the Sixers in the game no matter anything else. Except Jose Alvarado and Deuce McBride.

X-Factors…

• Josh Hart’s defense and rebounding/playmaking.

• Mikal Bridges gets hot - especially from three. And that “give me the ball” defense he has that I love!

• Turnovers - Knicks pressure from Bridges, Hart, OG, GTA, Deuce, Jordan Clarkson will cause Sixers to make turnovers.

• Free throws - Knicks have to make theirs and they must keep Embiid off the line.

Miss Tee…

I’ve basically had my say this entire article. But I do have this to say. No one thought the Knicks, because of their play during the regular season, were going to defeat the Hawks. And after the first three games, a lot of people began to believe it. There were shouts of Fire Mike Brown, hire Ty Lue. Of all the asinine things I’ve heard. Ty Lue! What has he done for basketball lately? Never mind that. The Hawks were put in their place and after that sixth game, people were murmuring that nothing could stop the Knicks from getting to the Finals.

Until the Sixers defeated the Celtics. I don’t care what I wrote up there about the matchups. The Knicks are going to defeat the Sixers right quick. Those games against the Hawks were not a fluke, and the Knicks are only going to continue to get better. I wonder what level they’re on.

Until next time…

First off let me say how glad I am to be back. I feel as if I was underwater for weeks and weeks. Suggestion: if you haven’t had this new flu, run and get a flu shot because you do not want it! It seems I’ve had a fever forever and truthfully, I am not out of the woods yet. But it’s playoff time…it’s time y’all.

Is it just me or did we get here mighty fast? It seems like just yesterday I was asking if New York was ready for a Knicks championship and now we stand on the threshold of the 2025-26 playoffs…as we start our march to June. But first, let’s take a look at how far the Knicks have come, and re-visit some of the things that gave Miss Tee plenty of joy and agita!

Overview of the regular season…

The Knicks ended the regular season with a 53-29 record, which was good for the third seed in the Eastern Conference and second in the Atlantic Division. This was the franchise’s best record since the 2012-13 season. They started strong, had a very confusing midseason, but a finish that has us ready. Ready for the Finals, and prayerfully a championship.

This was the most up and down season that I’ve experienced in a minute with this team. For the previous five years we knew exactly what we would get. A winning regular season and perhaps, just perhaps, Tom Thibodeau would have a change of heart, use his bench and save his players for the postseason…but that didn’t happen and the Knicks front office was forced to make a change.

The Coach…Mike Brown

I am tired of a lot of these so-called fans who’s first inclination in anything was to fire Mike Brown. Coach Brown implemented a system these Knicks didn’t know anything about. Playing within a system that didn’t consists of its stars playing damn near 40 minutes a game.

Coach Brown’s system emphasized increased pace, motion offense, and deeper rotations. He brought the Knicks play into the 21st century and immediately showed results when the Knicks won the 2025-26 Emirates Cup by defeating Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Brown’s offensive and defensive coordinators are very active during games, and you may see Jalen Brunson and/or Karl-Anthony Towns talking to Chris Jent about the offense or OG Anunoby and/or Mitchell Robinson in consult with Brendan O’Connor on defense.

It has taken this team a minute to get with the new system. I mean, they had a coach they believed in, that started them winning and brought respectability to the World’s Most Famous Arena…that got them to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Then, after five years they were given an entirely different system, and they had to practice. Everyday.

I think the new system, the practice, the injury management, all of it is exactly what this team needed. Shake the damn cobwebs out and play some damn basketball - on both sides of the floor.

Yeah. Defense. Jalen Brunson AND KAT play freaking defense and they were getting good at it when the season ended…

Midseason…

Oh my goodness this team has been up and down. Despite starting off so strong, winning the Emirates Cup when they previously hadn’t gotten past the quarterfinals, was AMAZING!!! Then, the Knicks hit a slump. A 2-9 slump. Yes, they did. From December 31 to January 19 the Knicks suffered two four game losing streaks. Struggles with the new system saw the Knicks defensive rating drop to 29th! You can imagine what the New York fans were saying about Mike Brown. But it wasn’t just Brown. The fans attacked KAT, calling for him to be traded before the deadline. They were relentless, “TRADE KAT FOR GIANNIS” screamed on every social media platform. “I’ll be damned if Giannis becomes a New York Knick, bringing his brothers,” I wrote every chance I got.

And then the Dallas Mavericks came into the Garden and disrespected everybody. The Knicks who had held teams under 100, found themselves unable to score 100 as the Mavericks beat them 114-97.

That was it. The Knicks held a “Players Only” meeting and the response was a five-[game win streak to close January. They put a cherry on top with an explosive record making win over the Brooklyn Nets, defeating them 120-66 - the largest margin of victory in franchise regular season history.

THE PLAYERS…

Jalen Brunson: HIM

Jalen Brunson has solidified himself as one of the greatest to wear the Knicks uniform. To me at least. He is the Knicks offensive engine and the definitive team leader in every way. He is averaging 26 points and 6.8 assists per game, and more recently has been getting double digit assists. His efficiency (46.7% FG, 36.9% 3P, 84.1% FT) and his clutch performances were the reason for many Knicks victories that could just as well have been defeats. Brunson returned to the All-Star game as a starter for the second year in a row. All-Star weekend would also find Knicks Brunson, KAT, joined by Alan Houston and Rick Brunson as winners of the Shooting Stars Challenge.

Brunson has had a season highlighted so far by incredible performances. One such performance was a 47-point monstrosity against Miami in MSG where he went 15 for 26 from the field and 6 of 13 from three and (wait for it) 11 of 11 from free, with 8 assists and ZERO turnovers! Captain Clutch of course performed his game saving antics more than once to save a win for his team. Brunson also led the league in charges drawn with 29.

Karl-Anthony Towns - the Double-Double Machine

KAT, despite all the bullshit that was thrown at him this season, including a new system where he had to make the biggest adjustments, came out on top as do all real NEW YORK KNICKS who are not afraid in the least to put on the JEWELED ENCRUSTED JERSEY. You can say whatever the hell you want about KAT, but you better not forget the fact that he took a situation that would have messed up other superstars and made it his own.

BODEGA KAT, THUNDERKAT is the Knicks BIG man that squashes the more meager big men. KAT has a dominating interior presence. He is averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds a game. He is second in the league in overall rebounding, and leads the league in double-doubles. He had 37 DD in 51 games before the All-Star break and went to the game as an All-Star reserve for Team World.

OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges - The definition of defense

Mikal and OG are exactly what I envisioned they would be on this NY team. OG averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 STEALS per game, ranking 8th in the league in steals and providing versatile, switchable defense against elite wings. Mikal, the IRONMAN of the league, played all 82 games, contributing 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per contest, while also averaging1.3 steals and .8 blocks.

Both players executed their coaches’ plans to a tee, always defending the “best” players on each team. With no fear…what’s to fear?

Josh Hart - The HEART of the NY Knicks

There were so many times this season that I screamed “get him off the court” only to eat those words. No matter the situation, you are going to get EVERYTHING that Josh has in his heart, his body and mind to get the win for New York. Hart averaged 12 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting his career best 41.3% from beyond the arc - and the opps keep leaving him open. (“He has 3 threes already, no way he could get another…”) Ummm…yes he can - ask the Celtics!

Mitchell Robinson - The ANSWER

There is no other player in this NBA league that can do ANYTHING with Mitchell Robinson. You know of anyone….I’ll wait. That’s what I thought.

Coach Brown delivered something no coach has done for Mitchell Robinson. He delivered a healthy, productive, and more developed Robinson than has ever gone to the playoffs. Not a scratch on him. No doubts surrounding him. Making half of his free throws and at one point this season delivered 10 in a row…y’all feel lucky hacking a Mitch this postseason?

Mitchell Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, with a 72.3% field goal percentage. Look over your head! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Mitchell Robinson alley oop about to mess up your day!

The BENCH…

The New York Knicks not only revamped their bench, Coach Brown USED his bench. So much so there were fans out there calling for bench players to replace starters they were so good. ALL OF THEM! Every member of the Knicks bench not only played, they were a part of the entire season.

Jordan Clarkson averaged 8.6 points in 17.8 minutes a game. Landry Shamet, though injured for a lot of the season, shot 39.2% from deep and Jose Alvarado, lovingly named GTA, his defensive tenacity was a burst of grit, and boots down on the ground in your face you can’t shake me, that this team needed, needs and will…okay, okay…I’m just so happy to have this man on this team. Jose averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists since joining the team at the deadline.

And then there’s DEUCEEEEE! Miles “Deuce” McBride, had to have surgery in February and was out for several weeks. It was a great blow because at the time Deuce averaged 12.9 points, shooting 42% from three and was one of the defensive anchors on the second unit. Thankfully he is back and as the 82nd game proved, he’s ready.

MISS TEE on her New York Knicks…

Alrighty, Miss Tee has been pumping Busta Rhyme’s New York Knicks Anthem so I may be sitting in Georgia right now, but I’m on my New York shit. If you’ve read any of my recaps and analyses this season you know that my team has taken me from the top of the top to the bottom of the bottom. They’ve left me in tears of joy and tears of despair… I BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM! This season was a whole mood: equal parts grit, glamour, and “did they really just do that, shit?”

The World’s Most Famous Arena saw nights of pure electricity where the offense flowed like a beautiful stream and other nights when turnovers and missed FREE THROWS had us clutching our hearts. Through all of it they never stopped going. Losing streaks, winning streaks, one thing for sure was if they could play, they played. The Knicks DON’T GIVE UP! The younger players, Tyler Kolek, Mohammed Diawara, Ariel Hukporti, Pacome Dadiet, and Kevin McCullar, Jr showed such promise and were there and ready when their number was called. The vets, kept the locker room steady and the coaches, wow the coaches made ADJUSTMENTS that kept the winning going and tried it’s damndest to keep the losing slowing.

There were HIGHS that made you sit up and pay attention, clutch wins that kept our hearts pounding and reminding us why we BLEED ORANGE AND BLUE; and a chemistry that when it clicked, oh my goodness, made this team look unstoppable.

Injuries and inconsistencies, rumors of infighting all popped up at the worst possible times, and there were stretches of time where the defense just didn’t come to work, like, called in sick. Yet they were resilient, they fought together, they learned together and they left nothing on the table.

This season built something. Only true Knicks fans will see. This team is the culmination of everyone’s blood, sweat and tears. A foundation of a “sustainable championship culture.” I don’t know what the verdict will be but I know that in June, the Knicks will be in the courtroom and Miss Tee will be in New York…

P.S. There’s a podcaster I admire because he, like myself, stands 10 toes down about this team. We both are GUNG-HO when it comes to this team. His videos teach and I like that. So, here’s George from Into the Knicksverse giving us “5 reasons the Knicks will defeat the Hawks”, enjoy!

Until next time…

Tonight the Knicks will play the Oklahoma City Thunder. In Oklahoma. That doesn’t matter nor make a difference. The Knicks haven’t defeated OKC since 11/21/2022. Almost four years ago. That’s just tired. And I’m tired. Shit, they should be tired.

Why should today be different? Everyone that was on the team the last time they played are the same. Same players. Same coach. Can’t blame Mike Brown because Tom Thibodeau lost to them seven times, winning just twice. Are their players better than the Knicks? On paper, they’re not a better team. On the court is another story.

What is it? Why is it they can’t win? And it’s not about them playing possum, either. When it comes to certain teams, the Knicks have a block, a hurdle they can’t get over.

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been truly disgusted with these Knicks. But they were on a seven-game win streak, how could I be disgusted? How many of those games were slow starts? In the game against the Brooklyn Nets, they played the worst first quarter of the season having only 14 points. Against the freaking Nets! So what they won. Wins should be empowering, uplifting a team to bigger and greater heights. The Knicks wins feel empty to me.

• Knicks vs Jazz - The Knicks rallied from a second-quarter deficit to beat the Utah Jazz 112-104 Wednesday night (3/11/26), snapping a three-game skid behind a 28-point night from their leading scorer. The first quarter score was Knicks 26/Jazz 41.

• A very slow start. What began as a back-and-forth affair became Mitchell Robinson’s night! In this game vs the Pacers, his relentless rebounding and timely finishes helped the Knicks grind out a 101-92 victory. Brunson supplied the scoring punch, Robinson had his season high in minutes and a career high 22 rebounds.

• In this game, the Knicks played the Warriors G League team with Gary Payton II, and they nearly beat the crap out of them, at home. In the first quarter the GSW had an 11-point run to end the quarter. The Knicks had their entire starting five! Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, KAT, and OG Anunoby against a totally depleted Golden State team. The Knicks won 110-107.

• St. Paddy’s day would find the Pacers in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Brunson would not play, but Josh Hart had the night of his career. He is the first player in NBA history to record 30+ points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 three-pointers made while shooting 90+% from the field in a single game. He also is the fourth Knicks player to score 30+ points on 90+% shooting joining Willis Reed, Walt Bellamy and Bernard King. His 33 points is the most he’s scored as a Knick to date! Great 110/136 win over Rick Carlisle and his Pacers.

• This was the most disappointing win to me. The Knicks scored 14 points in the first quarter, the lowest for the season. I really don’t know which was worse to tell you the truth, the Golden State game or this. The Knicks don’t reach 100 points this game as they barely defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 93-92.

• The Knicks defeat the Wizards handily 145-113 after Mitchell Robinson tells his teammates that they can’t go by a team’s record, they have to come to play as if they’re playing the Pistons. And they did. Wire-to-wire. Wow!

• The Pelicans game was physical, (Zion is on the team) and the Pelicans came to play. The Knicks closed out a tight game 121-116, behind Brunson’s 32 points - 15 in the fourth quarter. This extended the Knicks win streak to seven, where it would end.

I was devastated by the Hornets game. A bunch of young players laughing at my team. Again.

A seven-game win streak? Please, miss me with that. How many of those games did they almost lose? I know, a win is a win. Those wins are just numbers. Get to half a game behind Boston…now they’re a game and a half behind. Knicks have the players they need, the coaches they need and tonight they play a team that they are 8-2 against. Can they win? Hell yeah! Will they? It’s entirely up to them.

Mike Brown said he wanted to build a team with a “Sustainable championship culture…” Mr. Brown, I’m waiting…

Until next time…

The Knicks, without their captain, protected their home territory against the Indiana Pacers without a doubt. Of course, there wasn’t any perimeter defense but there was a lot of great offense. Josh Hart was incredible!

Do you see how great a game you can have if you would just do a little extra effort on the defensive end? With Jose Alvarado (GTA) running point, this was one of the most exciting games we’ve had in a long time. No perimeter defense of course, we all know you all are allergic to that or something.

Let’s get to the game.

Knicks vs Pacers (W) 136-110

Of course, the Pacers got their three-pointers. It seemed as though Aaron Nesmith was going to have one of those games. Especially if the defense allowed it. The difference, the Knicks were super high-powered from three themselves. OG Anunoby, and GTA were hot as “fish grease” from deep, and Josh had just gotten started. Unfortunately, Mikal Bridges (new nickname Wolverine for his fast-healing ability) was still having some problems with his offense, but he makes himself invaluable to his team in other ways. The Pacers would shoot 62.5% from three, while the Knicks shot 66.7%. OG led the Knicks this quarter with 15 points while leading his team to a 34-38 first quarter.

The second quarter started with the Pacers attempting to take a stand against the Knicks. On the floor were OG, KAT, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, and Bridges. Which would last for only a few minutes, as Coach Brown would have to call a timeout at the 9:51 mark, and after that would put GTA, KAT, Mitch, Bridges, and Clarkson. This was a different Mitch/KAT experience. Watching them work in tandem was wonderful. There was a Mitch-to-KAT pass for the bucket that was just beautiful. Pacers would go up 57-51. Brown would then put Hart back in the game, and every time he threw the ball towards the basket, it would go in. The Knicks would go on a 21-7 run to end the quarter and go into the locker room up eight, 64-72.

Halftime Stats:

Josh Hart is the first person in NBA history to record:

• 30+ points;

• 5 rebounds;

• 5 assists, and

• 5 three-pointers made while shooting 90+% from the field in a single game. ALSO,

Josh Hart is the fourth Knicks player to score 30+ points on 90+% shooting joining Willis Reed, Walt Bellamy and Bernard King.

Josh’s 33 points were the highest he scored as a Knick. Congrats Josh!

DOOM! So what had happened was, that the Knicks started having a good time, playing with joy, but still no perimeter defense, which kept the Pacers in the game. The Knicks opened the quarter with a 19-8 run. KAT decided that he wanted to get into the three-point game, and he dropped two from deep. Josh was showing off, scoring 14 points on 100% shooting. For some reason, opposing teams like fouling OG, and he hardly misses. Jose was feeling left out so he threw one up from deep. One thing they didn’t do, was a lot of defense. Thank goodness for the great offense, otherwise the Pacers might have staged a comeback, but the Knicks would end the quarter up 14, OG had 22 points and the third is finished, the Knicks up 15, 91-105.

For the first time in a minute the Knicks were comfortable enough in the fourth to sit their starters early. Coach Brown, with a little more than six minutes left, emptied his bench. Knicks go on to win 136-110.

Some stats…

Although I would love to include everyone’s stats, I don’t want to be typing that someone had 2 points and a steal. Therefore, Miss Tee will be including everyone with 10 points and any significant contribution to the win. Stats do not include the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game.

OG was the second highest scorer with 26 points which includes 4 of 5 from beyond the arc, 8 rebounds, 1 offensive, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

KAT had 2 from downtown. I can’t wait for him to get in a rhythm with his threes. The Knicks would be nearly unstoppable with KAT getting 3o-40 points a game. For this game he had a total of 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 offensive, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.

Mikal Bridges did his best Wolverine impression in this game. Turned his ankle and it magically repaired itself, same as his elbow. He had 10 points, including 2 from deep, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

Mitchell Robinson was his regular great rebounding self. He contributed 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 offensive, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Jordan Clarkson again showed up for his team. With 10 points, 2 offensive rebounds and 1 assist, he was everywhere his team needed him to be when they needed him to be there. I just don’t understand how one day he was out of the rotation and now…

The Knicks bench had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists.

The Knicks had a total of 49 rebounds, 19 of them were offensive with KAT and Mitch delivering 10 of them, 38 assists, 13 steals and 3 blocks.

The Offensive Player of the Game…

Josh Hart had a record-making night. No one ever, ever, ever did what he accomplished last night. He had,

33 points on 12 of 13 shooting for 92.3% from the field, 100% from three on 5 of 5 shooting, 80% from free, 4 of 5. He also had 7 rebounds, 2 of them were offensive, 5 assists and 2 steals.

The Defensive Player of the Game…

With his first start with the Knicks Jose had a double-double with 16 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals. He was the spark plug this team needed with Brunson out. Ten assists on his first night as a starter.

Next on schedule…

The Knicks take a ride over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Barclays Center to visit their little brothers, the Nets, on Friday night at 7:30 pm. The Nets are 17-51. Remember when the Knicks were 17-85 for a couple of seasons. People wore paper bags on their heads. Jalen Brunson is still listed GTD, and Deuce McBride is still listed as out.

Miss Tee…

You notice how I’ve resigned myself to the fact that the Knicks will never practice perimeter defense. I give up.

This was a great game for a number of reasons. First, they got their three-point shot back, thank goodness. Second, Jose Alvarado at the point. Alvarado brings a faster pace, a level of empowerment to his teammates, and physicality. The Knicks had 13 steals of which Jose had only two. I pray he’s rubbing off on his teammates.

And Josh. He did say he had been working with his shooting coach. This coach should be working with all of them. Especially with their free throws. Remember when Josh was scared to shoot? He only missed one field goal (and a free throw) in this game. I wish the defensive coordinator could make them defend the perimeter, although they did much better in the second half.

Mitchell Robinson can give this team so much more. I believe he has more offense in him. Whoever was working with him on his free throws needs to come back. That’s another situation that needs to be worked on right away.

There are 12 games left to the regular season. The Knicks can still make it to seed 2 if they stop bs-ing. I don’t know what to think anymore and to tell the truth I’m a little rattled. They started off the season 10 and 2. They won the Emirates Cup. Cup curse or no, their season took a nose dive after winning.

I loved this game because we beat our most disliked rivals, the Pacers and Rick Carlisle. But let’s face it, the Pacers are the bottom of the barrel this season because they’re tanking. The 29th of this month, we play the OKC Thunder again. We need to win that game.

Until next time…

No Steph, Seth, Draymond, Horford, Porzingis or Moody. They had the Knicks down 21 points. Reggie Miller was holding and extended interview with Steph while the rest of the injured Warriors were laughing and pointing.

For me, this was the most embarrassing loss of the season. All I could hear was the constant “doink” when the ball hit the rim of the missed three-pointer…

Let’s get to the game…

Knicks vs Warriors (W) 110-107

I know, a win is a win. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t an embarrassing win.

In the first quarter the Knicks committed 10 personal fouls, the Warriors got eight points from them. Of course, there wasn’t any perimeter or transition defense. The Warriors shot 45.5%, from deep. The Knicks, shot 20%. The Warriors shot 61% from the field. Brandin Podziemski and Quinten Post didn’t seem to miss. Podziemski went to the line eight times. Did I say who wasn’t playing for Golden State? No Steph, Draymond, Horford, Moody… Jalen Brunson had 13 points in the quarter, Karl-Anthony Towns took one shot, and missed. The Knicks shot 32% from the field. Brown didn’t put his third unit in, although I wish he had. His starters were playing like shit, and I believe the third unit would have matched this Warrior’s team intensity because they would have been playing to be noticed, also. The Warriors ended the quarter on an 11-0 run, leading at the end 35-21.

The Warriors rag tag group of players were leading the Knicks’ starters by 14 to start the second. That wasn’t enough. They opened the quarter with an 11-4 run, running the score up 46-25. This will probably be the highlight of their careers. Leading the third seed New York Knicks by 21 points in the second quarter. Undrafted and making a name for themselves in the World’s Most Famous Arena. The Knicks were not hustling or even trying to hustle. They were not getting those 50/50 balls. That Pacers game must have wiped their behinds out. Midway through the quarter, a light bulb must have gone off because they started playing a little defense. Brown called a timeout at the three-minute mark when the Warriors were up 15, 50-35. Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Brunson, Hart and OG on the floor and brought the score to within nine, and the Knicks go into the locker room down 54-45.

The third quarter. The Knicks quarter of doom. But will it spell doom for the Warriors or the Knicks? Brunson and Towns went to work as the Knicks open the quarter on a 10-4 run. KAT was dominating inside and Hart and Anunoby were igniting fast breaks. Gui Santos (bane of Knicks existence so far this game) and Post chucked up a couple of threes, but the Knicks started playing defense. Halfway through the quarter, the Knicks finally tied the game, 73-73 on a Bridges make. The lead went back and forth and all the while, Reggie Miller was glazing Steph, making people nauseus. The Knicks outscored the Warriors (finally) 26-38, and ended the quarter, up three, 80-83.

You would hope the Knicks would take off and this would be a nice smooth ending to a horrible experience. Believe it or not, this has been worse than Draymond messing with KAT. Brunson hit his legendary step back jumper and put his team up 106-103. But that Podziemski wouldn’t stop. OG went to the line with 6.2 seconds left and hit both free throws. The game ended when a Santos pass meant for Post was stolen by Shamet. Game over, 103-110.

Some stats…

Remember: not listing any stats for anyone who hasn’t scored at least ten points or rebounds.

OG - 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 offensive, 1 assist.

Josh Hart - 7 points, 12 rebounds, 3 offensive, 5 assists.

KAT - 17 points, 12 rebounds, 5 offensive, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

Brunson - 30 points, 1 rebound, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

Mitchell Robinson - 4 points, 10 rebounds, 3 offensive, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.

Landry Shamet - 10 points, 1 rebound, and 2 steals.

Jordan Clarkson - 14 points.

Next on schedule…

The Indiana Pacers, Tuesday, 3/17 at

Miss Tee…

There is no offensive or defensive players of the game. I want to put this behind me. The Knicks should have walked away from this with a 130+ score, but they didn’t so what the individual players did mean nothing…to me.

Whose fault was this? Was it the coaches? Were the players just tired from their road trip? I honestly believe that Brown should have kept his starters on the bench. Shamet and Clarkson combined for 24 points in the third. That should have told the coach something. Is it me, or is Brown too calm?

I can’t wait to put this in my rearview mirror. As a matter of fact, I can’t wait for the playoffs.

Until next time…

The last time the Indiana Pacers won an NBA game it was an overtime win against the New York Knicks in the World’s Most Famous Arena. They lost their next 11 games and tried to get it together to snap it by defeating the Knicks again. But not this time. Old Rick Carlisle and his Carlisle ways. Made sure his players were ready for the Knicks…but were they?

I’m driving myself nuts trying to figure this Knicks team out. The whole team, coaches and all.

First, the coach. Mike Brown is a two-time Coach of the Year, the second time it was unanimous. That had never happened before, and it hasn’t happened since. As such, he should know what he’s doing. He took a team that hadn’t been to the playoffs in 16 years to the playoffs. When he became a head coach for the first time he took that team to the Finals. He has his associate and assistant coaches in on the huddle, and he even takes their suggestions and wins games because of that.

Then, there’s the team. Jalen Brunson is an MVP caliber point guard. He’s a 3x All-Star, 2x All-Star starter and 2x All NBA. He’s been to the Eastern and Western Conference finals as a key component in helping the Knicks and the Mavericks getting there. He is the captain of the Knicks. He is their leader.

Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the greatest shooting big men this game has ever produced. He is a 6x All Star and 3x All NBA. He has also gone to both the Eastern and Western Conference finals and was how both the Knicks and Timberwolves made it there.

Mitchell Robinson is Mitchell Robinson. Teams that are smart, fear him.

The Knicks have the deepest bench they’ve had in years! And we’ve seen that every player on that bench can play and they all know that when their number is called, they must be ready. And they have been ready.

Then what is the problem? Why doesn’t it seem as though they are even ready for the playoffs, let alone a deep run and a championship? With each game I write up I spend way too much time trying to figure out this team.

Let’s get to the game.

Knicks vs Pacers (W) 101-92

Ricky boy you are a hoot! You pulled out all the stops for this game. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Haliburton suited up. You will do anything to defeat the Knicks, and you have such vitriol for them…

The first quarter was slow for both teams. But was it slow enough to put in third unit players? Coach Brown put Pacome Dadiet in with Brunson at the quarters halfway point along with OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and mini-Mitch Ariel Hukporti. I’m like, can’t he see that Carlisle is out for blood and really wants to win this game? You would think it was the Pacers’ first home game of the playoffs, and the Knicks were up 2-0. I was happy to see that Dadiet could handle himself under pressure. When a basket was needed as the 24 second clock was winding down with two seconds left, he hit a 30’ jumper from the Pacers’ logo. Mitch would get seven rebounds in 4.5 minutes, nine in total for the quarter, catch a beautiful one hand slam alley-oop from OG, and the Knicks would go to the second quarter up three, 24-21.

The Pacers would go on a run and tie the game at 37. They tried to get slick and have the ref call an eight second violation but that was quickly squashed. Oh boy Rick didn’t like that! After, there was a foul on Brunson and the next thing you know, Old Ricky had a technical foul and was being escorted back to the sideline by Obi Toppin. Long balls by Landry Shamet, Clarkson and OG, then OG to Mitch for the dunk, with captain Brunson leading the charge would put the Knicks back on top. Brunson with 23 points in the half, and the Knicks outscored the Pacers 32-24, going in the locker room, 56-45.

Halftime Notes:

Mitchell Robinson - alley-oops in first 24 games - 9

last 24 games - 21

In this game Robinson shot 41% of the team’s rebounds

80% of the offensive rebounds

The Knicks had a 15-point lead, but the Pacers get hot and go on a 17-4 run, taking the lead late in the quarter. This is what infuriates your fans so! The inconsistency! What happened to the third quarter of doom? Where the Knicks go on the run. The 20-4 run that leads to the opponents being blown out by 20+ and not getting 100 points. Why can’t they maintain a lead and instead of letting the game get tied, put their foot on the neck of the opps and run full speed ahead. It’s as if they just don’t do it, and not that they can’t do it. This time around the Pacers outscored the Knicks 20-29. But an Aaron Nesmith buzzer beater was topped by a Clarkson 3-point buzzer beater, and the Knicks go into the fourth up by two, 76-74.

Challenge! This fourth quarter saw Coach Brown call for two challenges it seemed minutes apart. Both were successful. The Knicks would find themselves up only two, 90-88 late in the quarter at the 2:56 mark. They went on a 7-0 run, Mikal hit a monster, much needed three-pointer. OG attacked the rim drawing foul after foul, going to the line seven times (missed one), Mitch was at the rim on both sides of the court, getting eight rebounds, four and four with a +10 for the quarter, and the Knicks hold it down to get the win, keeping the Pacers below 100, in Indiana, 101-92.

Some stats…

Jalen Brunson. with one assist away from a double-double, led the Knicks with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and a steal. I think out of all the Knicks, Carlisle doesn’t appreciate the way he can draw a foul and it got him a tech today. It’s okay Rick, you’re not the only coach who feels this way. I believe if you call JB Bickerstaff or maybe form a support group…

OG Anunoby was right behind the captain with 25 points, including 7 of 9 from free, 8 rebounds, 1 offensive, and 5 assists. A couple of those assists would be to Mitch for slam dunk alley-oops.

Mikal Bridges just made the cut with 11 points, 3 of them came at a crucial time in the fourth, and 4 rebounds.

The Offensive Player of the Game…

Had only 12 points, but his work on the offensive boards may be the reason the Knicks won this game. Bridges would not have made that important three-pointer in the fourth had it not been for a Robinson offensive rebound.

The Defensive Player of the Game…

Had a career high 22 rebounds, which I know is the reason the Knicks won this game. Robinson’s work on the boards, didn’t allow the Pacers to get their own rebounds 13 times. Altogether, Robinson had 12 points, 22 rebounds, 9 offensive, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Next on schedule…

The Golden State Warriors Sunday night at 8:00PM. I don’t believe any of them are playing. No Steph, Draymond, Seth, Horford, Melton, Moody, or Kristaps. Go figure.

Miss Tee…

This was a fun game. I know some of you are upset because this game wasn’t a breeze… “Aww, the Pacers are 15 and…” and tanking. Except when they play the Knicks. Ricky, Ricky, Ricky…so much animosity. I thought maybe it was Thibs, but no, it’s the Knicks, the whole entire Jalen Brunson of the Knicks. You know, it’s the same with Bickerstaff and a couple of other coaches. Listen guys, Jalen is Jalen. Now that he has a better team, which now includes a deeper bench than yours, don’t be hating. Stop taking everything so personally.

I don’t fully understand what Coach Brown and Co. are doing. I know they are playing everybody, at least once, and not just during garbage time.

As much as our inner voices are screaming at us, we have to trust. It might seem as though Mike Brown was a “we can’t get anyone else” type of hire, look the man up. This is not the hardest job he’s ever had. It might be the one with the most pressure, but once he got KAT all the way onboard, Mitch is healthy and making grown men quiver, he has the hardest part done.

The Knicks have two of the best, about to be greatest big men in the league today. In my opinion, the greatest point guard, (that’s right, nobody over here care about SGA), two of the most talented wings, a team with so much Hart, and a bench that now has Jose (GTA) Alvarado, and a former Spur, and Knicks pain, Jeremy Sochan. And let’s not forget who they already had…Miles “Deuce” McBride. I can’t wait to see Deuce and GTA together. Also, the Knicks’ third unit could be any team’s second unit.

So why am I still nervous.

Until next time…

I’m being very sarcastic in case know you thought I gave a… Can anyone reading this explain the Knicks insistence on not defending the perimeter?!!!

I’m aggravated with this team. Let’s just get to the game.

Knicks vs Jazz (W) 134-117

It didn’t look as though the Knicks would win this game. Second quarter, after Mike Brown called a timeout for the second time, I turned it off. Yeah maybe I’m in my feelings but come on, this was one of the Knicks worst defensive efforts I’ve seen all season. I don’t understand why this team can’t get their shit together and get it together consistently.

The first quarter, the first half of this game was a total disgraceful effort by the New York Knicks. Landry Shamet started for Josh Hart who is on the injured list. I don’t think Josh would have made a difference. The Knicks made three from beyond the arc while the Jazz, who are 22nd in the League in 3-point shooting made nine. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Utah Jazz opened the game hot from deep and stayed hot throughout the quarter, leading the Knicks by 15, 26-41!

The Knicks have these young Jazz players laughing, having a great time. I don’t blame them. They’re up 15 on the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference, New York Knicks. And bam! here we go again with another from deep! Young players shouting, “let’s go!” as the white-haired veteran all alone, gives the Jazz another from beyond the arc. If that weren’t enough, the Jazz turn around and get an undefended layup. I’m in my feelings, huh? That Sensabaugh young man stole Bridge’s celebration…all kinds of disrespectful mess. But the Knicks left themselves open to it and for it. The Jazz were shooting 78% from three, while the Knicks were shooting 50%. The Knicks head into the locker room down nine, 56-65.

Halftime Notes:

Just in case there are some Tom Thibodeau stans out there still holding on, making comparisons with Mike Brown and the number of wins Brown has vs Thibs final season. That’s not fair. Let’s compare with Thibs’ first three years.

• 2020-21 season 41-31

• 2021-22 season 37-45

• 2022-23 season 47-35

We can compare the number of wins/losses all we want. Brown is expected to win the Eastern Conference championship and carry this team to the Finals. That’s what he was hired to do.

Knicks continue playing a sorry brand of basketball and the Jazz are embarrassing the Knicks and still hitting from three. At the 5:47 mark Keyonte George leaves the court and runs to the back. He would not return to the game. The Jazz seem to have gone cold. The Knicks go on a 20-4 run that continues into the fourth quarter. Does the Jazz’s George leaving the game have anything to do with it? With just 33 seconds left the Knicks can take the lead with Brunson at the line. He makes the three-point play and the Knicks go into the fourth quarter up two, 96-94.

The Knicks have Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, KAT, OG and Robinson to start the fourth quarter. This game has taken a complete turn and the Knicks are playing as they should have been against the 20-46 Jazz the whole time. Jordan Clarkson does what one does when they return to their former team…they show all the way out. Jordan had the game I’ve been wanting to see since day 1! Is this the Clarkson who has been sitting on the end of the bench waiting for the call? Or is he the secret weapon that Brown has been hiding but had to pull it out today to save the game. Whatever it was, they finally got it together to win the game.

Some stats…

Not going through everyone, just those who score 10 points and over. You’re going to be surprised at the number of players you won’t see today.

OG had 22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 offensive, 1 assist, 2 steals and a block. You go Mr. OG!

KAT had only 21 points, although Ms. Monica McNutt thought surely he would get 35…Monica, don’t even. You know they’re not running the offense through KAT like they should. KAT also had 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Brunson had 28 points, 4 rebounds, 1 offensive, 8 assists, and 3 steals.

Mitch didn’t have 10 points or more this go around, but his rebounds made up for it. He had 6 points, 13 rebounds, five of them offensive, 3 assists, and a steal.

Mo Diawara did have 10 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist.

The Offensive Player of the Game and the Defensive Player of the Game are one in the same…

Jordan Clarkson, the man of the hour, had 27 points, 5 rebounds, all of them were offensive, and 3 assists. He had the same number of offensive rebounds as Mitchell Robinson. You go, Jordan! I have been waiting for you to show up.

Miss Tee…

I know this doesn’t sound like an article for a team that won. The Knicks are so full of shit. They just lost back-to-back games in LA against the Lakers and Clippers. I’m going to release that piece as soon as I clean it up. Miss Tee can’t just put everything she’s feeling on Substack. I haven’t wanted to clean it up. They previously defeated both the teams in New York.

If they don’t clean up this inconsistency, they will be out in the first freaking round. What is going on? How many touches is KAT getting in the first quarter? What kind of mess is it, Brunson scores in the first, and KAT in the second? If it is, it stinks. KAT attempted three shots in the first quarter, for four points and six in the second quarter where he was 3 of 4 from deep and had 13.

Brown, you better get it together, because it sure looks like you’re still trying things out.

Until next time…

There’s a song called “Alley Oop” that was quite famous in our community when I was a child, and it keeps going through my mind, over and over again, since Friday night. ”Alley oop, oop…oop, oop, oop.” All day Saturday. Could it be because the captain and his enforcer learned how to send an alley oop to Mitchell Robinson? I can’t remember if I’ve seen Mitch have that many points in a quarter, or in a game, hell, in a season! It was really great to see. This entire game was a sight to see.

There are always Knicks fans on the road, especially in Philly, DC, and Miami. But the fans in Denver were lit!!! They got very loud in the third quarter, and by the end of it, they took over as the Denver fans headed to their cars.

Let’s get to it.

Knicks vs Nuggets (W) 142-103

The Knicks have to stop with the slow start. That raises fans’ blood pressure because you don’t know if they’re about to be blown out, so you sit there in front of the TV, wondering what else is on. Not another game, you won’t be watching any basketball. Then you blink and see on the screen that they’ve either closed the gap or, better, are in the lead.

Mike Brown called a timeout at the 10:13 mark in the first. He let them know that it wasn’t going down like that, none of that slow start shit…they listened. The Knicks came back with intensity, but their threes were not falling, not at first. The captain led by example and sent an alley oop to Mitch that had me screaming. It was the 5:55 mark, and in Numerology, that means get rid of the old that doesn’t serve you, and it will be replaced with new and better. The old way of not feeding the big man is over and has been replaced by alley-oops. Not only that, Mitch was fouled, and he made the free throw. Chucking up the threes wasn’t working. How about some defense? The Nuggets went on a 9-0 run. Another alley-oop, yes! And another one. Two Landry Shamet threes (finally). A double foul (WTF?), an OG steal, and a Mitch buzzer beater, the Knicks end the quarter down two, and Robinson leads scoring with nine, 27-29.

Second quarter, and the Knicks are being called for everything and not getting any calls. Where are their calls? Freaking Spenser Jones hits Karl-Anthony Towns in the nuts for no reason! Refs call it a common foul. The energy shifts. That’s how they’re gonna play this? Jones would get three quick fouls and be forced to sit - bye Felicia. The Knicks have a great unit on the floor: KAT, Mitch, Mikal Bridges, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet. Jamal Murray and Bridges get tangled up, and Bridges gets called for the tech. Murray does a “macho man” move, and believe it or not, Jose jumps in to calm Mikal down! He didn’t punch Murray in the face - he was a peacemaker! Murray missed the tech free throw. The Knicks are on a 10-1 run. With less than eight minutes left, Coach Brown puts Brunson, Bridges, Hart, OG, and KAT on the floor. Valančiūnas has two offensive fouls. KAT dunks on Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Jamal Murray would get hurt when he attempts to stop OG, falls back, and turns his ankle on Jokic’s foot. He leaves the game and does not return. The Knicks go into the locker room up 13, 65-52.

Halftime Stats:

• The Nuggets largest home defeat, by 39 points occurred on March 6, 2026 when the Knicks kicked their butts 142-103.

• This is also the largest loss in Jokic’s career.

Well, it seemed with Murray out, Jokic had no help, so he tried to put the team on his back. Jokic, no matter how large your back is, you can’t stem the tide once the Knicks take over a game. And they took it over. Jokic had 17 points in a Denver 28-point quarter. Six threes by the Knicks to one by the Nuggets. The Knicks scored 40 points in this quarter on 68.2% from the field and 67% from deep. OG and Josh Hart each had two from deep apiece. The Knicks are up 25 points going into the fourth quarter, 105-80.

The starters, less Josh, played 2:57, then Coach Brown sent in his bench. Mohamed Diawara played just a minute with his bench pals before Pacome Dadiet, Jeremy Sochan, Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Kolek, and Ariel Hukporti put the game away. They scored 26 points to end the game. Dadiet had three from beyond the arc. I guess he wanted his Coach to know that he could make them like Diawara! As I said previously, the Knicks hand Jokic the worst loss in his career, 142-103.

I thought it was magnanimous of Coach Brown to send in his bench so early so the Nuggets wouldn’t be thoroughly and totally embarrassed by not scoring 100 points. They just made it, didn’t they!

Some Stats…

Josh Hart - With a lower back contusion, and he still played almost 25 minutes. Josh’s defense and hustle helped his team win and contributed to his 18 points, five rebounds, one offensive, and two assists.

KAT had his league-leading 44th double-double with 17 points (what a 17 points!), 13 rebounds, one offensive, two assists, and one steal. KAT has not only figured out his Coach’s system, but he is also excelling in it. I can’t wait to watch your growth every game.

Mikal Bridges - Mikal got a tech this game, his Coach got one the game before, and his Nova buddy, the captain, has gotten two this month. All are their first techs this season. Things that make you go hmmm… With this tech, Mikal had nine points, two rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

The captain had nine points, and they were the loudest nine points of the night. Brunson’s nine points said I am a leader and since my teammate is taking over the offense, I can direct the traffic. For the third time in three games, JB has double-digit assists, and for the second time, he has 15. His statline: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 15 assists, and 1 steal.

Mitchell Robinson had 13 points! Nine of them, including a first-quarter buzzer-beater, and a foul shot. With the 13 points, Mitch had five rebounds, four of them offensive, and an assist. They were feeding their big man!!! You think somebody is listening to Miss Tee?!

Landry Shamet is the man who got the Knicks started with his two threes in the first quarter. Shamet had 10 points and three rebounds, one offensive. Shamet’s invaluable defense, unfortunately, has no column on the stat line.

Mohamed Diawara was impressive in this game. His contribution was like Shamet’s, not all on the stat line. He had four points, a rebound, and two assists.

Jose Alvarado is the new peacemaker? Please say it isn’t so. Jose’s attitude and physicality seem to have rubbed off on his teammates because they’ve been stealing more since his arrival. Jose had four points, a rebound and three assists.

Pacome Dadiet - 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 offensive.

Tyler Kolek - 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 8 assists (7 of them in 7 minutes).

Jeremy Sochan - 2 points, three rebounds, 2 assists, and three steals.

Jordan Clarkson - 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Ariel Hukporti - 2 points and 1 steal.

The Offensive and Defensive Player of the Game is…

OG Anunoby! On the offensive side, OG had 34 points, shooting 65% from the field, 55% from three, and 100% from free, five assists, and three offensive rebounds. He had the sweetest reverse dunk!

On the defensive end, OG had four defensive rebounds, four steals, and a block.

Next on the schedule…

There are 18 games left in the regular season. On Sunday at 3:30 PM, the Knicks take on the Lakers and their messy drama. On Monday night at 10 PM, the Knicks take on the Clippers.

Miss Tee…

My goodness, this was an incredible game. The Knicks’ defense, when they decided to play with it, stunned the Nuggets. The slow starts. What is up with that? You’re not going to always be able to come back. Although if you keep up the current level of defense.

The Knicks are not getting calls, we know, but lately it seems to be getting worse, or is that just me? KAT getting hit in the nuts, being called a common foul, the “double foul” because you didn’t want to call a foul on Denver, WTF?

And Josh. If Josh is hurt, he needs to take care of it before the playoffs. HELLO, there are just 18 games left. Josh, you are amazing and the heart of this team, so we need you healthy. Take care of it, please and thank you.

The Knicks’ wings sometimes have these incredible games. But mainly, they defend against the hardest-to-defend teams in the league. Mikal and OG are two of the best in the NBA.

KAT and Mitch are two of the most powerful centers in the league. The Knicks are truly blessed to have them on their roster. PAY THEM/GIVE THEM EXTENSIONS. I know this front office is great, but a little hard-headed. Don’t mess this up.

What can I say about the captain that hasn’t been said before? In my opinion, he is the best point guard in the league.

This game showed me that the Knicks could have effectively defeated the Thunder had we used Robinson. When Deuce returns with his defense, the Knicks will be another animal. The bench will be frightfully physical; you definitely will get back what you put out.

I always hate to see any player get injured, but don’t dish out what you can’t take. What Spenser Jones did to KAT, deliberately hitting him in the nuts like that? That had to be punished; they had to pay with a very embarrassing ass-whooping loss. To the rest of the league, take heed.

Until next time…

The New York Knicks went up to Canada and delivered the final punch to take the season series 4-0. It is the Knicks 12th straight win over the Raptors. I saw you trying to get cute RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. I know you’ll never forget what you learned in New York…

Let’s get to the game.

Knicks vs Raptors (W) 111-95

The Raptors came out arrogant hitting their threes. They were killing the Knicks with those threes. Coach Brown would call a timeout that his players would not listen to because the Raptors and Brandon Ingram would continue their onslaught and my notes were screaming “PERIMETER DEFENSE” but to no avail. The Raptors would have a 19-27 lead at the 2:45 mark. Brown would call another timeout and this time, just like in the Spurs game, the Knicks would listen to their coach and go on a 15-4 run, closing the quarter with a one-point lead, 32-31.

In this second quarter, the Knicks would continue and make it a 20-4 run. The Knicks have turned on their defense. Raptors would have to call a timeout to avoid an eight second violation getting the ball over but after couldn’t get the ball inbounds in time so they got a five second violation instead. I don’t know what came over Karl Anthony-Towns, but I almost missed his steal and DUNK! The Knicks shot 57% from three in this quarter and 72.7% from the field. Josh Hart would have two blocks in this quarter and Jalen Brunson would get slapped with another technical. Yo, cap! What’s with all the hostility? The Knicks go in the locker room up 10, 68-58.

Halftime Stats:

Jose Alvarado has a +/- of +93 in 11 games with the Knicks.

KAT recorded his 100th double-double as a Knick.

For the Spurs game 3/1/2026, Mikal Bridges became one of four Knicks to have 25 points, 5 3-ptrs, 5 rebounds and 5 steals.

This is the 11th time in 19 games that the Knicks have held their opponent to under 100 points.

This game was a little different from the third quarters of late. This game has two former Knicks (Once a Knick…) in it. RJ Barrett contributed eight points in the previous quarter to attempt to keep the Raptors in the game, and a three in this quarter. His buddy, Immanuel Quickley, added eight in this quarter, and enough about them. The Knicks took their feet off the Raptors’ necks for two seconds and before they knew it, the Raptors had shaved five points off the lead. I think Alvarado would have ignited a spark like he always does. I don’t know if it’s his pace or the words he says to his teammates, but it can light a fire under them. And…there was a collision between Mitch and Josh where both went for the same rebound. Josh got the very worst of it, and why? If Mitch is under that basket, let him get the freaking rebound. Y’all are already not feeding him, you want his rebounds too? More on this later. Also later, some shots made by KAT, (of course that didn’t count). The Knicks go into the fourth quarter up five, 87-82.

The fourth starts off much like the third ended. RJ was getting to the basket at will. He’s a former teammate they should know those moves. Then a RJ three-pointer makes it a two-point game. A Knicks timeout and the starters are on the floor with 5:26 left in the game, the score 95-93. Hart sends Bridges a beautiful pass for a dunk! That would begin a 16-2 run to end the quarter and the game, the Knicks on top, 111-95.

Some stats…

OG Anunoby - Let me say this. OG may not score 20+ points a game or have the most rebounds, or whatever, but OG is this team’s disrupter. You can depend on him to grab an assist for a slam dunk or a corner three, then stop his opponent from doing the same on the other end. OG had 15 points, made both of his from deep, but he missed a free throw. Anunoby also had five rebounds.

KAT had another double-double, with 21 points, 12 rebounds, only two offensive, six assists, one steal and one block. KAT’s scoring and inside presence helped the Knicks win the battle of the paint. KAT made two shots you may have missed. One trick shot over the backboard when he was forced out of bounds, and another over his head, hook shot type of thing, but again with precision. Hmmm…let me find out, KAT.

Mikal Bridges, the team Iron Man, is very much like OG. Everything, everywhere, all at once. Defense that turns into his team’s offense. Mikal had 11 points, (including both of his free throws), two rebounds, four assists and a block. As previously stated in the Halftime Stats, Sunday, for the Spurs game, he became one of four Knicks with 25 points, five three-pointers, five rebounds and five steals in a single game. Check out his company, Jalen Brunson, Stephon Marbury, and Latrell Sprewell.

Mitchell Robinson - Mitch had two points, 10 rebounds, two offensive, and two steals. Y’all are going to HATE IT when Mitch is scoring 20+ points and having 20+ rebounds for a team like…I don’t know, the Hawks. Shit, I live in Georgia now, I would still be a Knicks fan, but I wouldn’t miss a game with him in it. FAFO, Knicks, FAFO!

Landry Shamet - Shamet had 12 points, and two steals. Another player whose continuous contributions don’t show up on the stat sheet.

Mohamed Diawara - the golden rookie, had eight points this round, including two from deep and two rebounds.

Jose Avarado - GTA himself, had four points, a rebound, five assists and a steal.

Offensive Player of the Game…

For the second game in a row, it’s the captain, Jalen Brunson. Besides being the spark, the lights all of the Knicks’ fires and gets them going. Brunson, for this game, had 26 points, two rebounds, 10 assists and one steal.

Defensive Player of the Game…

Josh Hart - Josh has been all over everywhere lately. But for this game, he is the Defensive Player of the Game. In addition to 12 points, Josh had seven rebounds, one offensive, and seven assists. Here’s why he’s the defensive player of the game, three steals and two blocks.

When it’s his boy, Brunson is front and center…

Miss Tee…

I have so much to say about this game and not enough time to do it. I know I have to do better in getting my articles out faster, and I will. I stopped this piece in the middle, to watch the OKC game.

The Knicks still have some shit to figure out. Feeding their big man regularly, and if the starting lineup is still working.

If Mitchell Robinson had been playing, the Knicks might have won. If Mitch and Deuce were playing, the Knicks would have won. AND IF THE KNICKS HAD MADE THEIR FREAKING FREE THROWS, THEY WOULD HAVE WON THE F*(#ING GAME.

I have an article coming for that OKC game. It was a good loss. It’s coming. I promise.

Until next time…

Now this is the Knicks team that started the season. The team that went on to win the Emirates Cup and even the Skills Challenge All Star weekend. The Knicks are winners and they can win it all. This back and forth that they’re doing is mind boggling. I thought maybe the Knicks would have a hard time with these Wembemyama led Spurs…

New York snapped the Spurs 11-game win streak with another 89-point win. First, the Celtics 111-89, then the Sixers 138-89, and now the Spurs 114-89. The Knicks started the game slow. Very slow. I actually thought this would be one of those runaway games where the Knicks are blown out.

Let’s get to the game.

Knicks vs Spurs (W) (114-89)

The Knicks started the game with that migraine type play. That throw my notes at the TV play. The Spurs were playing with their usual arrogance. When the score hit 7-3, Mike Brown called a timeout. When the Knicks seemed as if they weren’t listening in the huddle and the score ballooned to 19-9, I thought, that’s what you get for leaving Bedside Baptist early, and started looking for a movie. The next thing, Jalen Brunson was fouled with a reckless closeout, and the Knicks were off to the races. Brunson scored 11 points in the final 1:52, including two from deep, and on a 15-2 run, the Knicks end the quarter up, 21-22.

Some players contribute greatly to their team’s wins, but what they contribute doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. That was Mitchell Robinson in this game. Some stuff, if you missed it…well. And then there are those whose contributions show up on the stat sheet, like Mikal Bridges, who had seven points in the quarter and received one of the most beautiful no-look passes from Jose Alvarado! And the Spurs had yet to score since the first quarter. The Knicks 11-0 spurt to start the quarter extended into a 26-2 run. Yes, the team that thought they had it going on because the Knicks were down in the first by 12. Turnovers and the inability to rebound were the Spurs downfall and they go into the locker room with their season low for a half down 41-51.

Halftime stats: Since 1/21/2026, the Knicks are:

1. Tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference 14-4.

2. #1 in defensive rating.

3. #1 in net rating.

4. #1 in assists to turnover ratio.in

5. Best in the League in points off opponents turnovers.

The third quarter found the Spurs trying to claw their way back. Wembemyama was able to get in the paint, and they would cut the lead to eight. KAT would do a little shoulder drop and knock Wemby on his ass and get called for an offensive foul, but Wemby would do the same to Brunson and not get the foul. But again, the Knicks lead wasn’t affected by the official’s calls. This was Mikal’s quarter. He had 14 points and one of his steals. The Knicks overall shot 42.9% from deep which kept the Spurs at bay and the Knicks went into the fourth up 11 points, 69-80.

I don’t have to tell you that the Garden was jumping. The Knicks were on fire. Especially rookie Mohamed Diawara. Diawara had two from beyond the arc in this quarter. This young man is ready for whatever team and whoever superstar. Not one member of the Spurs fazed him, including Wemby. Together the Knicks would shoot five from deep, pull down nine offensive rebounds, 16 altogether, and have five steals. In this quarter. Coach Brown would empty his bench with 2:25 left on the clock, and the Knicks blowout the second seed in the Western Conference 114-89.

Some stats…

OG Anunoby - OG had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 offensive, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block. OG had Wemby tied up. Maybe he’ll stop bragging about 42 points, two Christmases ago in a game the Spurs lost.

Josh Hart - Josh may have 10 points, but it was the everything else that worked for this game. Josh was 3 assists away from another triple double. Hart also had 10 rebounds, 3 offensive, 7 assists and 1 steal.

KAT - I have to say that I was very impressed with KAT’s defense on Wembemyama. I was also impressed with how he’s changed his approach and now gets into the paint almost effortlessly. He had 12 points, 14 rebounds, 5 offensive, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Keep up the defense, KAT, it looks good on you.

Mohamed Diawara - Can you say the Knicks know how to draft in the second round? Diawara, a 51st pick in the 2025 draft has been an amazing surprise. He had 14 points, including 4 from deep, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. Keep up the good work rookie.

Mitchell Robinson - Mitch had 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 offensive, 1 steal and 1 block. Mitch is the best defensive weapon you have. When’s the last time he was called Mitchell “Lob”inson? FEED YOUR BIG MAN!

Landry Shamet - Shamet was very quiet offensively. Very loud defensively. He had 7 points, 1 offensive rebound, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Jose Alvarado - Jose was Jose and all over the court. Please don’t mistake these stats as his contribution to this game. He had 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 offensive, 5 assists and 1 steal.

The Spurs had 22 turnovers in this game. They were caused by the Knicks stellar defense in this game. The stats that are unseen. The Spurs were held to 26.5% from three, had only 10 offensive rebounds, and 13 fast break points.

The defensive player of the game…

Mikal Bridges. Iron Man played like Iron Man. Not only did he lead the team with points, 25, he led the team in steals with five. Bridges had a masterful night. The type of night this team will need EVERY game if it wants to win the title. Along with the points and the steals, Bridges had five rebounds, two offensive, and two assists. (I couldn’t find a photo!)

The offensive player of the game…

The captain, Jalen Brunson. He may not get many DPOG nods, but you can bet on any given night, Brunson can be the OPOG. In my opinion, JB was having too much fun in this game. He scored 11 points in the first 1:52 of the game which started the onslaught the Spurs never recovered from. He had 24 points, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc, 4 rebounds and 7 assists.

Miss Tee…

Y’all know I was throwing things the first 10 minutes of this game, right. “How could you? You’re gonna drop to the sixth seed!” And then my captain came to the rescue. I remember when Knicks Nation was up in arms because the front office had passed on Jaden Ivey or Jalen Duren I can’t remember (and this is just me talking so I’m not stopping to research) but the fact that they had thrown it all in for a backup point guard from Dallas. I did do my research on Jalen Brunson and I thought and hoped that maybe, the Knicks might have found their point quard.

Defense. The Knicks played some defense in this game. Everybody did their jobs. OG, Josh, Mikal and KAT. The bench, I believe is one of the best in the League and just wait for Deuce and GTA with Mitch, Shamet and the rookie, Diawara.

We have our point guard. Our center, wings and bench. They’re about to do a wretched week that started with the Spurs. Let’s hope the rest of the week goes just as well. Next stop Toronto.

Until next time…