The city that never sleeps savoured a moment in time thanks to the Knicks as madness descended across New York into the early hours of Sunday. San Antonio finally dispatched in five, no matter the grumblings of Victor Wembanyama and those outlandish claims of “dominance” in this series. “Knicks in five” is all that mattered, ultimately, with those three words, in particular, still ringing in the ears of millions across the city thanks to Jalen Brunson, who poured in 45 points in the decisive game, to immortalise himself and his teammates in New York folklore.
After 53 years, perhaps the most cathartic moment in recent sporting history, an NBA championship to savour and a seismic achievement for a team that has long endured plenty of pain. Moreover this is the eighth successive different champion in the NBA, underlining its booming popularity and appeal, no matter Gianni Infantino’s dismissive remarks after planting his flag in the USA to kick off the World Cup this week.
The importance of a New York state of mind, too, as fans added a rendition of Alicia Keys’ anthem to the soundtrack of what Nate, from Brooklyn, described as “the craziest night New York has ever seen”.
That particular motto resonated with fans after Brunson’s selfless approach to contract negotiations and team building on multiple occasions since pitching up at Madison Square Garden in 2022 after leaving the Mavericks.
“This is bigger than when the Giants won,” another fan remarked. “Brunson is now the king of New York, he might have sacrificed $110m, but now he’s worth at least a billion dollars!”
As time expired in Texas, many leaped onto buses descending on Manhattan and gravitating to that blue and orange tinted Empire State Building. A quick turn onto 7th Avenue, a stone’s throw away from their home, provided a glimpse at the bedlam unfolding.
Yellow school buses became stages for delirious Knicks fans to rise above the chaos to sing and dance. Though a line was certainly crossed by some vandalising the vehicles with the streets left in disarray.
A firework or two crackled and fizzed between skyscrapers into the night sky, leaving many to scarper for cover, while police sirens whirred into the distance in a night packed with joy.
One fan told the Independent how they hope to simply extend the celebrations into Thursday, when Mike Brown’s team will hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy up into the New York sky during the team’s parade. That same fan promised to find a new job should his boss deprive him of the moment of a lifetime.
Since this title will never be repeated, indeed, it is surely the thrill of the chase, even if a fierce determination remains in Brunson to further gravitate towards the very top of all-time great lists, while the team will hope to retain their collection of prized assets, including British star OG Anunoby, who came alive to settle that unforgettable game four comeback victory.
It is hard to quantify just what basketball means to New York, but Inside The NBA pundit Kenny Smith did a fine job trying.
“Growing up in New York City, I never got a call to play football or baseball, it was only a hoop,” he remarked. “That’s all we have, 94 feet of asphalt, there’s not enough room to do anything else.
“The average person who doesn’t play on a regular basis has played basketball, they feel they are a good player, it’s why they call it the mecca, every fifth block, there is a basketball court, it’s the only sport we can play, we don’t have room to play anything else.”
In a country where the NFL is king, the Knicks evidently still reign in New York despite Eli Manning and the Giants’ two Super Bowls, or the Yankees, who remain synonymous with this city and its globalisation through fashion. But it is basketball that runs through the veins of most New Yorkers.
Commentator Mike Breen’s poignant summary of the clinching moment underlined how basketball has resonated for this city, too.
“You know, life is not perfect, but there are perfect moments. And there’s one right there,” the veteran broadcaster noted.
It’s taken 53 years of mostly misery and as millions from far-flung corners visit initially for the World Cup, a happy moment of serendipity has shone a light on the true power of basketball while the world was watching.
