A New Season Dawns… Embrace The Expectations Knicks Fans

On Wednesday, the Knicks will open up the 2025/26 season at Madison Square Garden in, without question, a season loaded with hope and excitement. 

The Knicks are fresh off their first Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. 

The roster features a team that will bring back all of the contributors from last year’s group including a few veteran additions to deepen the bench. 

Yes, there will be a new man in charge of leading the team. 

The Knicks said goodbye to Tom Thibodeau and welcomed veteran head coach Mike Brown to take the torch from the most successful coach the Knicks have had as a franchise since Jeff Van Gundy. 

As we documented for Mike Brown the minute he was hired, he has been put in a rather unfair position. 

The expectation and standard for the Knicks this season is a simple one. 

It’s NBA Finals or bust, baby. 

This is year 4 of the Jalen Brunson led New York Knicks. 

Brunson’s leadership and presence has been game changing for the franchise. 

There have been moments of brilliance throughout the regular season and the springtime that have put Knicks fans in a position to dream. 

There is one last step for Brunson as the Knicks franchise player and captain. 

Can Brunson be the one to lead the team to New York City immortality?

The Knicks are searching for their first championship since the early 1970s, dating back to the days of Clyde Frazier and Earl the Pearl Monroe. 

I would argue that the 2025/26 season is as good a chance as the Knicks have had to end that drought since Patrick Ewing’s 1994 team made it to Game 7 of the Finals against Houston. 

The Eastern Conference is there for the taking. 

The Cavaliers are a paper tiger and cannot win in the postseason. 

The Celtics and the Pacers are dealing with injuries to their franchise players that will seriously compromise their seasons. 

Sure, the Western Conference features the sports best two teams. 

Would I expect the Knicks to be favored against the Thunder or Nuggets? No, but guess what…

As a Knicks fan, get me to that series.  

For a roster that is as balanced as any starting 5 in the NBA, it’s time. 

Finals or bust for the 25/26 Knicks. The honeymoon is over. 

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday & Thursday nights on The Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Honda Sports Nite at 11 PM on SNY.