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