This is the Knicks’ golden opportunity

The pre-series narratives painting the Knicks as pushovers were bizarre. New York had been a juggernaut, entering the Finals with a record-shattering +271 point differential, the highest ever by any team in a single postseason prior to the Finals. After their gutsy Game Two road win in San Antonio (105-104), that margin now sits at +281 across 15 playoff games, good for an absurd +18.7 points per game.

No one who actually watched them bulldoze through the East should have bought the underdog hype. Whether it was betting market manipulation, conference bias, or recency skepticism after a couple of hiccups against the Hawks, the disrespect was real, dumb, and thoroughly debunked. The oddsmakers are finally getting wise, too. As of this writing, New York stands at -490 to win the series on FanDuel.

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For Spurs fans, there’s still plenty to draw encouragement from. Wemby is gaining invaluable championship experience that will pay dividends soon enough. This young core (bolstered by the veteran Fox and the rest of the supporting cast) has already shown it belongs on this stage. Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell are solid pieces. Dylan Harper is a 20-year-old rookie in name only.

For the Knicks, this is their golden opportunity. Their core vets are in their prime, and maybe a season or two away from developing chronic aches and pains (no jinxes). Their main five guys are all around the thirty mark. Meanwhile, the competition in the Eastern Conference will improve this offseason. Cade Cunningham just needs a reliable secondary scorer + better play from Jalen Duren to put the Pistons right there. Tyrese Haliburton will return to the Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo may take his talents to South Beach after all. Charlotte gave us hives at the end of the season. And can the Magic be magical? Maybe, with the right adjustments. What about Cleveland and Philly? Meh, we don’t take them too seriously.

A few months back, team owner James Dolan said that a Finals appearance was expected. He was right (much as I hate to admit it, given how often he’s wrong). This is New York’s window. It’s very possible that the…

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Publish date : 2026-06-06 15:36:00

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