Breaking the Mold: The Often-Forgotten Impact of the 1980 Knicks

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The year is 1979. Despite the NBA being 75% Black players for well over a decade, a historical moment was taking place in Atlanta. At the Omni Coliseum, the hometown Atlanta Hawks were opening their season against the New York Knicks. This Knicks team made history that night by featuring an all-Black roster, the first in NBA history. While this occurrence is not uncommon today, it was unprecedented back then.

That Knicks team may often get overlooked in the history of the franchise. They finished 39-43, missed the playoffs, and hold the unenviable distinction of being sandwiched in between the golden age of Knicks basketball in the early 70s and the Patrick Ewing era that started in 1985. But while they are overlooked, they should not be forgotten. They played in an era that was incredibly racially charged and broke boundaries while dealing with hostility and negativity. In their own way, they are a testament to human perseverance and overcoming difficult times.