The New York Knicks haven't won an NBA championship since 1973. In those days, they had the self-proclaimed “best backcourt ever” in Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe running the show.
Outside of the Big Apple, nobody would mistake the Knicks of the present as title contenders. Derrick Rose has referred to their roster as a “Super Team,” but they're far from being on par with the likes of Golden State.
Still, Frazier and Monroe remain optimistic that, barring major injuries, the Knicks will at least be a playoff team in 2016-17.
From Brian Heyman of Newsday:
“Yeah, definitely,” Frazier said. “Once a New York team gets in the playoffs, anything can happen. The crowd can really catapult them. And it’s going to be a very exciting team. They’ve got a lot of quickness, a lot of razzle-dazzle out there.”
Frazier, who currently serves as a TV analyst for the Knicks, was a seven-time All-Star, he made All-NBA teams six times, he made the All-NBA Defensive First team seven times, and he was included on the NBA's 50th anniversary All-Time team. Earl “the Pearl” made four All-Star teams and was listed on the NBA's 50th anniversary All-Time team as well.
Not surprisingly, Monroe agreed with his former teammate's statement:
“They could very easily be a playoff team,” Monroe said. “ . . . All of a sudden, this is not the same typical New York team that we’ve had before. This is one that has a little brains to it, a little smartness.”
Regardless of what happens in New York this upcoming season, it will be interesting to follow. If Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis can mesh with newcomers Rose, Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Jennings, don't be surprised to see the Knicks back in the postseason for the first time since 2012-13.
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