The Knicks won the NBA Cup after defeating the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night in Las Vegas with a 124-113 victory. The Spurs led for most of the night before the Knicks took over down the stretch and captured one of the most significant regular-season wins for the franchise in years.
New York hasn’t been a champion very much in its history. Titles in 1970 and 1973 remain the last postseason championships the franchise won. More than one generation of Knicks fans has gone without a title, so one would think an NBA Cup win would be something more to celebrate, but the team has decided not to hang a banner for the accomplishment.
Why the Knicks Should Hang the Banner?
Perhaps the Cup represents the Knicks moving in the right direction under new coach Mike Brown. In an open Eastern Conference, the Knicks are one of the top contenders to go to the NBA Finals.
8-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard knows that postseason success can be fleeting, though. He doesn’t agree with the Knicks’ decision to skip the banner for the NBA Cup victory, posting on X this afternoon his sentiments.
“I’m going to be second-hand embarrassed if the Knicks don’t raise the NBA Cup Banner, then don’t make it to the championship this year. Celebrate your wins while you can.”
There are two sides to this argument. For those who agree with the Knicks’ decision to skip the banner, it indicates that the franchise is focused on winning an NBA title, or at least reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, with the Boston Celtics missing Jayson Tatum and the Indiana Pacers not having Tyrese Haliburton, the Knicks become one of the strongest contenders in the East. They have bigger aspirations than an NBA Cup.
MORE: Insider Reveals Real Reason Why Knicks Will Not Raise a Banner After NBA Cup Win
On the other hand, no win is set in stone in the NBA. Howard has won an NBA title with the Lakers in 2020; therefore, he is qualified to discuss whether a team should celebrate something smaller, such as the NBA Cup. The former center feels that the Knicks are not appreciating the accomplishments they’ve had this season, especially if their final goal of winning the Larry O’Brien trophy doesn’t come to fruition.
The Knicks currently stand at 18-7, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. They will get the chance to celebrate with their fans on Friday against the Sixers, even if that celebration doesn’t include raising a banner in Madison Square Garden.
