The New York Knicks have a storied history, but their only NBA titles came in 1970 and 1973, when Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier led the team. As one of the franchise’s all-time greats, Walt Frazier opinion on the current Knicks carries significant weight. Recently, he shared his optimistic view of the team’s future, drawing parallels between the current squad and the championship teams of the past.
During a recent event, Frazier, now a television analyst for the Knicks, expressed his belief that the current group resembles the championship teams he once led. “I see the vibes,” Frazier said. “I see a lot of similarities with [our] championship teams, starting with the coach. [Tom Thibodeau] is a lot like Red Holzman. He holds the guys accountable, and they’re defensive-oriented, and the players actually like each other.”
Frazier’s optimism doesn’t stop there. He believes that the 2024-25 season could be a breakthrough year for the Knicks, provided they can stay healthy. “I think this is going to be our year,” Frazier added. “Obviously, health is going to play a big factor into it. But if the Knicks can stay healthy, I think we can get back to our former grandeur.”
One player who has particularly impressed Frazier is Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ star point guard. Brunson, who averaged career-highs of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists last season, has become the centerpiece of the team’s offense. Frazier sees in Brunson the potential to be one of the greatest players in Knicks history.
“We know, in this town, the expectations are always overwhelming, so to rise to the occasion his first two years and accept the challenge, catapulting the team, he’s definitely got a chance to be one of the greatest Knicks ever, if not the greatest Knick ever,” Frazier said.
Frazier even drew comparisons between Brunson and another Knicks legend, Willis Reed, noting their similar leadership qualities and team-first mentality. “I did a video — I wasn’t able to be at the induction when he was inducted as the captain — I told him, he reminds me a lot of Willis Reed. They’re both lefties, they both have tenacious work ethic, they’re always sharing and caring, and team-first concept. They’re always thinking of the team, not themselves.”
The Knicks are coming off a strong season, having won 50 games for the first time since 2013 and pushing the Indiana Pacers to seven games in the second round of the playoffs despite being severely shorthanded. The team further strengthened its roster by acquiring Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster trade during the summer, bolstering their wing depth and solidifying their status as one of the main contenders in the Eastern Conference.
It has been 24 years since the Knicks last reached the Eastern Conference finals, 25 years since their last Finals appearance, and 51 years since their last championship. With the added firepower and the endorsement of a Knicks legend, fans are hopeful that this could be the year those droughts come to an end.
However, the road to success won’t be easy. The Knicks will face stiff competition at the top of the Eastern Conference, particularly from the defending champion Boston Celtics, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, both of whom are also looking to bounce back from injury-affected seasons.
As the season approaches, the Knicks have high expectations. With Walt Walt Frazier endorsement and the talent on their roster, this could be the season that the Knicks finally return to championship contention.
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