Walt Frazier and Spike Lee believe the current New York Knicks team mirrors the glory days of the 1970s.
Both legends are predicting the end of the franchise’s 53-year championship drought.
Frazier on Knicks’ Suffocating Defence
Frazier commented after the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 on Monday, advancing to their first NBA Finals since 1999. “The way we’re playing now, I don’t think it matters who we play,” Frazier said.
He highlighted the team’s defence and ball movement. “Their suffocating defense, the ball movement… Now the last 11 games, the way they’re getting up and down the court, Bridges, Hart, they’re just moving and grooving.”
Spike Lee’s Bold Prediction
Spike Lee offered a similar analysis, pointing to the team’s franchise record of 11 consecutive playoff game wins. “I don’t care about San Antonio. OKC. We’re going to win,” Lee stated.
Lee drew parallels to past Knicks legends. “It reminds me of Willis, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Dick Barnett, Cazzie Russell. I’m going back. I’m old, though.”
Lee recalled attending the first Knicks championship game on May 8, 1970. “May 8, 1970 [the first Knicks championship]. I was at the Willis Reed game. Thirteen years old,” said Lee. “So going to keep it going. This is a team of destiny, heart, drive.”
Passing the Torch
Frazier, considered by many as the greatest Knick in history, presented the conference finals MVP trophy to Jalen Brunson on Monday. The moment, alongside Patrick Ewing, signified a passing of the torch.
Frazier stressed the importance of capitalising on the opportunity. “Carrying on a tradition. Passing it down to Jalen so he’s the guy now who has to carry it,” Frazier said. “But you got to capitalize when you get there. So we’re going to stay on him.”
Frazier referenced the words of Red Holzman. “As Red Holzman would tell us at this point, ‘Hey, Clyde, we haven’t won nothing yet.’ “