Article graphics by Omar Zahran (@omarzahran.bsky.social on Bluesky)
Since the NBA expanded to 16 playoff teams in the 1983-84 season, the New York Knicks have had consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances three times. The first was in 92-93 and 93-94, when they would make the Finals in 1994 against the Houston Rockets. The second was in 98-99 and 99-00, when the Knicks would make the Finals as an eighth seed in 1999 against the San Antonio Spurs. And the third time was last season and this season, as the Knicks have swept Philadelphia to make a second consecutive conference finals appearance.
Each of those eras is defined by memorable characters and teams that fans remember fondly. 92-94 were about Ewing, Starks, and Oakley—the epitome of the toughness that defined Knicks basketball in the 90s. 98-00 were about Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, and Marcus Camby—the players who were brought in to guide the team through the last years of Ewing. And this era is about Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns. As we wait to find out the opponent in the conference finals, it’s a good time to reflect on this team, this era of Knicks basketball, and why we are living in the “good old days” right now.
For many years, fans have remembered the Ewing era fondly because it’s all we had to hold on to. Image Credit: CGTN
