To say that the New York Knicks have been unlucky over the years would simply be an understatement.
Sure, they struck gold in the 1985 draft when they nabbed Patrick Ewing with the first overall pick, albeit in a rather controversial manner. The basketball gods have frowned upon the Knicks since then, however, as they dealt with heartbreak after heartbreak over the course of decades.
To this day, the disenchanted New York franchise is still awaiting that one savior that will turn things around.
Let’s have a look at the five unluckiest moments in Knicks' history.
KD and Kyrie spurning Knicks for Nets
The latest of the Knicks' troubles may just be one of the most devastating developments in their history. Entering the summer of 2019, Knicks fans were already counting their chickens way before they hatched. There was a strong notion that superstar free agents Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant would team up and take their talents to the Big Apple.
Those rumors riled up the success-hungry fanbase itching to return to relevance. True enough, both stars signed with New York — but it wasn’t for the Knicks. Rubbing salt to the wound of rejection, Durant and Irving elected to go with the crosstown rivals Brooklyn Nets instead.
This, of course, catapulted the Nets straight to contention, while the Knicks were once again left with nothing to show for.
Despite being limited by a shoulder injury, Irving was just as good as advertised and averaged 27.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 20 games. Durant, meanwhile, is expected to make a full recovery from his Achilles injury and bolster the Nets next season.
Missing out on LeBron (thrice)
Dysfunction and turmoil have plagued the franchise for years, but the Knicks brass remains optimistic that the allure of the city would still entice superstars to come over.
Interestingly though, they rolled the dice on the biggest star of this generation, LeBron James, each time his contract was up.
Their King-chasing ways began in 2010, as the Knicks intently watch “The Decision” to see if he would choose New York as his new home. But once again, Pat Riley managed to get one over them after luring the generational talent to South Beach.
Four years later, the Knicks were once again on the radar to bring LeBron in town after his contract with Miami ended.
The franchise had it biggest shot at landing LeBron at the time, considering he has a relationship with then-Knicks head coach David Fizdale. New York also cleared enough cap space that year and even had money to spare to sign a second star once James signs the dotted line. That, of course, never materialized.
It was a long shot in 2018, but New York still poked around the bushes and threw another effort to land LeBron. The King, once again, moved to a big market — but he chose the West Coast and signed with The Purple and Gold.
LeBron will be a free man in 2022 and we can expect the Knicks to once again try their luck.
Losing ’94 Finals to Rockets
With their constant tormentor Michael Jordan announcing his retirement that year, the Knicks had their best chance to finally end their championship drought in 1994. They appeared destined to do so, especially after taking down the defending champs Chicago Bulls in the second round.
Patrick Ewing looked like he was the best center in the league up until he met Hakeen Olajuwon in the Finals. Ewing, after all, edged “The Dream” back in college when he led the Georgetown Hoyas to the 1984 title at the expense of Olajuwon and the Houston Cougars.
Olajuwon outperformed Ewing throughout the Finals, but the Knicks actually held a 3-2 advantage at first. In the end, New York just couldn’t get over that hum and they dropped the next two games of the series.
Losing 2-0 advantage to Bulls in '93 ECF
The Chicago Bulls got the Knicks' number almost every single time they played against each other in the '90s.
Sure, they eliminated the Jordan-less Bulls in 1994, but they never got one over Chicago when His Airness was around. They came close in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, racing to a 2-0 advantage over the three-peat seeking Bulls.
This was their best bet at getting past Chicago, considering Jordan was “distracted” at the time after getting blasted by the media for his trip to Atlantic City during the series.
Jordan struggled mightily in Game 3, going 3-of-18 from the field. However, the Knicks couldn't capitalize and got blown out on the road.
With the series tied at two apiece returning to MSG, the entire world bore witness to one of the most head-scratching plays of all time. With the game on the line, Knicks forward Charles Smith managed to somehow flub four consecutive point-blank attempts.
The Bulls' stifling defense certainly played a part, but that moment showed just how unlucky New York was. They went on to lose the game (and the series) 4-2.
Failing to land Zion
As far as franchise savior goes, Zion Williamson would have been the perfect candidate for the Knicks. He had the unworldly talent and star potential that could have brought life back to the Mecca.
Entering the 2019 draft lottery, the Knicks had a 14.0 chance to land the number one pick (tied with the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers for the highest percentage). It didn’t take long for fans to begin photoshopping Zion’s image in a Knicks jersey.
But when it was time to determine their fate, fortune once again eluded the Knicks. The top pick went the New Orleans Pelicans way, who only had a six percent chance to begin with.
The Knicks went on to pick third in the 2019 draft and settled with Williamson’s Duke teammate RJ Barrett. The Canadian youngster has been good for New York so far, but his impact has not been as game-changing as Zion would have.