2021 noticed the top of some of the well-known Finals streaks of all-time. Thirty-seven consecutive NBA Finals between 1984 and 2020 noticed no less than one teammate of Shaquille O’Neal’s on one of many competing rosters. Nobody on final 12 months’s Suns or Bucks rosters had ever performed with O’Neal throughout his profession. “All streaks come to an finish,” stated O’Neal when requested whether or not or not he was upset when he heard that the streak had been damaged. He’s received a degree, however that doesn’t imply streaks aren’t nonetheless very enjoyable for the followers. Whether or not it was the Curse of the Bambino, which got here to an finish in 2004, or the Chicago Cubs curse that snapped after they received the 2016 World Collection, the tales round these streaks give followers simply one other nice storyline to be careful for yearly.
With Sport 5 of the Warriors-Mavericks collection happening tonight, we’re in peril of seeing one other NBA streak come to an finish, one which has been occurring for twice so long as the Shaq streak. In truth, this streak has been occurring for the reason that inception of the NBA, and virtually nobody is aware of about it.
The New York Knicks haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 1999 and haven’t received a title since 1973, however since 1947 no less than one former Knicks participant has appeared in each Finals, besides one (I’ll get to that in a second). In 2021, it was Langston Galloway for Phoenix in addition to Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis for the Bucks. In 2020, it was J.R. Smith for the Lakers. Jeremy Lin in 2019, Smith once more in 2018, Matt Barnes, Channing Frye, David Lee, yadda yadda yadda, all the way in which again to the Philadelphia Warriors’ Ralph Kaplowitz in 1947 (performed for the Knicks earlier in that 1946-47 season). The one 12 months that will get skipped is 1981. It’s a quandary whether or not or not this 12 months ought to be thought of.
Two members of the Boston Celtics — Gerald Henderson and Eric Fernsten — would wind up turning into Knicks later of their careers (Fernsten in 1983; Henderson in 1986), however no person in that collection had performed for the Knicks prior. Boston’s Nathaniel “Tiny” Archibald and Houston’s Billy Paultz had each performed for the New York Nets of their careers prior, however that’s as shut as this will get. So, I suppose technically the streak ends in 1981, however many defenders of the streak declare that it’s nonetheless on as a result of Fernsten and Henderson each turned Knicks later of their careers. Personally, I believe it is a cop out.
Even when Dallas loses tonight, possibly Luka Dončić turns into a Knick later in his profession. We are able to’t depend that out. So, personally, I consider the streak began in 1982, which makes this a 39-year stretch of former Knicks within the Finals (and 0 Knicks’ championships), which remains to be longer than the Shaq streak ever was. In the event you nonetheless need to think about this a 75-year streak, energy to you. Who am I to reign on what little solace a Knicks fan can take these days?
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Of the 4 groups left standing this 12 months, solely Dallas has a former Knick on their squad, Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina was a Knick between 2018 and 2021. The Mavericks need to turn into the primary crew ever to beat a 3-0 collection deficit. They took Sport 4, however now should steal Sport 5 within the Bay Space as a way to keep alive. Will they do it? In all probability not, however for the sake of drama in a blowout-filled postseason and the streak, I type of hope they do.
