SAN ANTONIO — Growing up, Karl-Anthony Towns rooted for the Knicks.
So, this run holds a special place in his heart, to see how excited New York City is about the Knicks again, after some dark times.
“I can remember draft day a while ago. The Knicks were not good, and people didn’t seem to care as much about [them],” he said Monday before the Knicks flew to San Antonio as they continued preparations for Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener against the Spurs. “It’s been an honor to be part of this team, be part of this organization, like bring the word ‘hope’ back to the city. To have the Knicks be where we’re at right now and to be so respected in the city.
“I’ve always said the best currency you could earn in New York City is not money, it’s respect. And to have the respect of the fans in the city, we’re rich beyond belief here in the city.”
The Knicks have given fans plenty to be proud of. They will enter the NBA Finals riding a franchise-record 11 straight playoff victories. They have won those games by a stunning average of 23.8 points.
To say coach Mike Brown’s team cruised into the final round would be an understatement. They have made it look easy since trailing the Hawks 2-1 in the opening round of the playoffs.
It has been a long time coming, 27 years since the Knicks last reached the NBA Finals. Although, it should be noted, this has been a gradual build, the fifth time in the last six seasons the Knicks have reached the playoffs. Team president Leon Rose and superstar guard Jalen Brunson have made them matter like it was the 1990s again.
Knicks fans have taken over the opposing arena in each round — first in Atlanta, then Philadelphia and most recently Cleveland. This is a fanbase starved for a title — the Knicks last won it all in 1973 — and a team that appears hungry to deliver one.
“I don’t think anybody who’s made the finals would say they don’t feel like a winner. And I also think that when you get an opportunity like this, you have to maximize it,” Towns said. “You never know if you get another chance, you never know what life has in store for all of us. And these opportunities are very far and few between, and you gotta make the most of them.”
One of the underlying storylines of this Knicks team is the bond the current group has with the franchise.
Brunson’s father, Rick, was a Knick during the last run to the finals. Towns grew up in Piscataway, N.J, and was a Knicks fan. Jose Alvarado is a Brooklyn native and also rooted for the orange and blue.
They have players from here who understand the fans’ passion. It is another reason the city has fallen in love with this team.
