The Biggest Coincidence In Sports Continues: The New York Knicks' Impact on the NBA Finals

The Knicks haven’t been in the NBA Finals since the 1998-1999 season, and they haven’t WON the finals since the 1972-1973 season–but that doesn’t mean they’ve been completely uninvolved. Since 1947, either of the teams in the finals contained a player that at one point suited up for the Knicks. Your immediate reaction would be to doubt this, I know–but I employ you to look at the list yourself–it’s impressive.

It all started in 1947 thanks to Ralph Kaplowitz, who played for the BAA Championship winning Philadelphia Warriors just a season after suiting up for the blue and orange. The trend continues all these decades up until today, where it’s carried on thanks to Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet, who played for the Knicks from 2017-2019. Here’s a look at the list starting in 2010:

• 2010: Nate Robinson, Boston Celtics
• 2011: Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
• 2012: Eddy Curry, Miami Heat
• 2013: Tracy McGrady, San Antonio Spurs
• 2014: Toney Douglas, Miami Heat
• 2015: David Lee, Golden State Warriors
• 2016: Channing Frye, Cleveland Cavaliers
• 2017: Matt Barnes, Golden State Warriors
• 2018: J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers
• 2019: Jeremy Lin, Toronto Raptors
• 2020: J.R. Smith, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2021: Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks

Of the 12 players on this list, eight of them have been on the winning side of things–so things are starting to look up for the Celtics. If you want to back the Knicks streak and bet on the Celtics to win the 2022 NBA Finals, you can do so at any of the Michigan online casino apps with free play.