CLEVELAND – These Knicks remind Clyde Frazier and Spike Lee of the 1970s.
So, it’s no surprise that both are anticipating the end of their 53-year championship drought, regardless of whether the opponent is the Thunder or Spurs.
“The way we’re playing now, I don’t think it matters who we play,” Frazier said after the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 130-93 on Monday, qualifying for the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. “Their stifling defense, their ball movement. [Coach Mike] Brown came in wanting to run with speed and space. But that was one thing they didn’t do. Now, the last 11 games, the way they’re getting up and down the field, Bridges and Hart, they’re just moving and moving.
Lee, an original Knicks Hall of Famer, offered a similar analysis of a team that has claimed a record 11 straight playoff appearances. They beat the Eastern Conference.
“I don’t care about San Antonio. Fine. We’ll win. May 8, 1970.” [the first Knicks championship]. I was at a Willis Reed game. “I’m thirteen years old,” he said. So I will continue with that. This is a team of destiny, heart, and leadership. …He reminds me of Willis, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Dick Barnett, and Cazzie Russell. I will come back. I’m old, though.”
Frazier, arguably the greatest Knick in history, handed out the Conference Finals Most Valuable Player award to Jalen Brunson on Monday. It was a passing of the torch moment alongside another Knicks legend, Patrick Ewing.
But as Frazier pointed out, the job is far from over.
“It’s been a long time coming. Continuing the tradition. Passing it on to Jalen, so now he’s the guy that has to carry it,” Frazier said. “But you’ve got to capitalize when you get there. So we’ll keep going after it. And as Red Holzman would tell us at this point, ‘Hey, Clyde, we haven’t won anything yet.'”