The New York Knicks have high hopes for the 2024-25 season. Currently, they hold a 1-1 record after two games and are anticipated to make a significant playoff run. Some fans even think they could contend for the NBA championship. While the Knicks boast a strong roster and many consider this year’s starting five to be the best in franchise history, not everyone agrees. Knicks legend Walt Clyde Frazier, a Hall of Famer and champion, recently stated at FanDuel’s Run It Back Tip Off Experience that the starting five from the 1973 championship team remains superior to this year’s lineup.
This year’s Knicks still have a long way to go to match the success of the 1973 team. However, they do boast a strong starting lineup featuring point guard Jalen Brunson, shooting guard Mikal Bridges, forward OG Anunoby, forward Josh Hart, and center Karl-Anthony Towns.
While this roster is talented, the 1973 Knicks remain the last team to win a championship for the franchise and included eight Hall of Famers: Frazier, Dick Barnett, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Phil Jackson, Jerry Lucas, Earl Monroe, and Willis Reed, who was a hero in the 1970 NBA Finals’ Game 7.
Despite Frazier’s belief that this current team doesn’t have a better starting five, he feels they still have a legitimate chance to win their third title in franchise history.
The New York Knicks have high aspirations for the 2024-25 season. After two games, they hold a 1-1 record and are expected to make a significant playoff run. Some fans believe they have the potential to win the NBA championship, though that remains uncertain. The Knicks feature a strong roster, with many considering this year’s starting five to be the best in franchise history. However, not everyone shares this view, including Knicks legend and Hall of Famer Walt Clyde Frazier.
At FanDuel’s Run It Back Tip Off Experience in The Bronx, Frazier asserted that the 1973 championship team had the superior starting five compared to this year’s squad.
This current Knicks team still has much to achieve to match the success of the 1973 team, but it does have a solid lineup led by point guard Jalen Brunson, shooting guard Mikal Bridges, forward OG Anunoby, forward Josh Hart, and center Karl-Anthony Towns.
Despite the talent on this year’s roster, the 1973 Knicks were the last to bring a championship to the franchise and featured eight Hall of Famers: Frazier, Dick Barnett, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Phil Jackson, Jerry Lucas, Earl Monroe, and Willis Reed, who famously shone in the 1970 Finals.
While Frazier doesn’t see this year’s starting five as superior, he remains hopeful about their chances of winning a third title in franchise history. “If we can stay healthy, I like our chances against anybody,” he remarked. “Overall, I’m very optimistic and hope the Knicks can return to their former glory.”
As a long-time Knicks commentator, Frazier has yet to witness the team win a championship without him. Though the season is still young, there’s a sense of confidence in the team’s potential to succeed.
Currently, the Knicks have the third-best odds to win the NBA title, sitting at +800, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder (+500) and the Boston Celtics (+300).
