2011 NBA Playoffs: 10 Most Exciting Postseason Series in New York Knicks History
The New York Knicks are back in the playoffs after a seven-year absence and its fans are bursting with anticipation.
There are two games remaining in the regular season for New York before it opens up the playoffs next week against the Boston Celtics.
As we close in on the Knicks first playoff game in nearly a decade, it is a time to reminisce about New York's past playoff performances.
With fans hoping against hope for a miraculous playoff run this year, it becomes a time to remember the Knicks greatest playoff series.
Where does the 1999 first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat rank?
How about the year of redemption in 1973 when New York defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals one year after suffering a finals loss to them?
Or how about the series against the Indiana Pacers where Larry Johnson converted an improbable four-point play to help push the Knicks past the Pacers and into the NBA Finals?
New York's illustrious postseason history is shrouded in great moments in an abundance of great series'.
See where the above playoff matchups, and more, rank in this list of the top 10 playoff series in New York Knicks history and relive your favorite postseason moments, even if they are not on the list, as the Knicks prepare to try and make more history.
No. 10: New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers in First Round of 1989 Playoffs
1 of 10The Knicks swept the 76ers in the first round of the 1989 playoffs.
It was the first playoff series they had won since Patrick Ewing joined the team and it was the beginning of great things.
Behind the terrific play of Ewing, Mark Jackson and Charles Oakley, New York prevailed after three close games.
New York won Game 1 102-96, which would prove to be the largest margin of victory in the series.
In Game 2, the Knicks pulled out a 107-106 victory and in Game 3, New York once again held on to win a tight game by a score of 116-115.
The Knicks would go on to lose in six games to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but this series truly marked a franchise turnaround.
Jackson's dunk clip above is the perfect example of what the Knicks proved they had become during the first round of that year's playoffs.
His steal, followed by an emphatic dunk was a preview of the tough defensive play that would lead to offensive opportunities, which would become the trademark style of play of this New York team.
Although New York had made the playoffs the previous season, they were not a team to be feared. Their complete turnaround and sweep of the 76ers though, finally made them a team to be taken seriously that would contend for years to come, making it one of the 10 greatest playoff series in Knicks history.
No. 9: New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls in Second Round of 1994 NBA Playoffs
2 of 10The Knicks finally got past the Bulls in the 1994 postseason.
This series would be higher on the list, had it not been for Michael Jordan entering retirement, for the first time, before the start of the season.
Even without Jordan though, it took seven games for the Knicks to get past the Bulls.
New York took the first two games of the series 90-86 and 96-91 to grab a 2-0 series lead. Chicago however, won the next two by scores of 104-102 and 95-83, to tie the series at two games apiece.
Game 5 provided a lot of drama. In the closing seconds, NBA official Hue Hollins whistled a controversial foul against Bulls' star Scottie Pippen.
Pippen fouled Hubert Davis with just over two seconds remaining. Davis hit both free throws to put the Knicks up 87-86 and New York proceeded to steal Chicago's inbounds pass to clinch the victory.
Chicago came back strong in Game 6 and defeated New York 93-79 to tie the series at three games apiece. The Knicks took Game 7 though, 87-77, to defeat the Bulls in a playoff series for the first time in four tries.
New York eventually went on to lose to the Houston Rockets in that year's NBA Finals, but it was the momentum from this series victory that carried them all the way there.
No. 8: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics in First Round of 1990 NBA Playoffs
3 of 10The Knicks and the Celtics will meet again this year for the first time since this epic matchup in the 1990 NBA playoffs.
After the Knicks lost the first two games of the series and Boston seemed poised for the first-round sweep, New York fought its way back.
The Knicks won the final three games to become only the third team in NBA history to overcome a 2-0 deficit in a five-game series to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Patrick Ewing led the Knicks in Game 5 with 31 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.
The series win was the highlight of the season for the Knicks who began the season with a new coach in Stu Jackson after Rick Pitino left to coach at the University of Kentucky.
This playoff series is one of the greatest in New York history for the sheer reason that they defeated Larry Bird and the rival Celtics.
The Knicks and their fans are hoping for a similar outcome this year, as New York and Boston rekindle their old rivalry.
No. 7: New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks in 1970 NBA Eastern Conference Finals
4 of 10During the 1969-1970 season, the Knicks set a then single-season record with 18 straight victories.
They finished 60-22 on the season, which was the best regular season finish in team history.
After defeating the Baltimore Bullets in seven games in the first round, the Knicks went on to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, known as the Eastern Division Finals back then.
New York won the first two games by scores of 110-102 and 112-111, and it seemed as if they were going to run away with the series.
The Bucks took game three though, 101-96, which in turn seemed to light a fire under New York. They went on to win the next two games 117-105 and 132-96 to win the series 4-1 and move on to the NBA Finals to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
This series is notable in New York history because it was the beginning of great things. With Red Holzman at the helm and players such as Bill Bradley, Willis Reed, and Walt Clyde Frazier on the roster, this team was clearly going to go on to do great things.
New York's romping of the Bucks, after a tough seven game series with the Bullets was nothing short of immaculate.
And as we will see later on in the slide show, it provided the drive and momentum the Knicks needed to bring home their first NBA title.
This series often goes overlooked, but it was a testament to what this team could do and was made of, and therefore a no brainer to make this list.
No. 6: New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons in First Round of 1984 NBA Playoffs
5 of 10The Knicks, led by Bernard King, defeated the Pistons in five games in the first round of the 1984 playoffs in what was one of the most competitive playoff series in New York's history.
Neither team was able to win a game in the series by a point margin larger than seven points.
In game five, New York overcame Detroit's Isiah Thomas' scoring binge. He scored 16 points in 94 seconds to help force the game into overtime.
However, backed by King's 44 points, the Knicks were able to defeat the Pistons 127-123.
Most notable about this series was King's scoring average. He averaged 43 points over the five games.
New York went on to lose to the Boston Celtics in the subsequent round in seven games, but their statement had been made.
No. 5: New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers in 1994 NBA Eastern Conference Finals
6 of 10This series had it all.
After winning the opening two games, New York set a record low in scoring during a playoff game, only managing to put up 68 points in game three.
The Knicks then lost game four by a score of 83-77.
Then in game five, Indiana's Reggie Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Pacers to a 93-86 victory over the Knickerbockers.
After losing three straight games to fall behind 3-2 in the series, New York won the final two games to defeat the Pacers.
The Knicks won game six by a score of 98-91 and were determined to complete the series comeback.
In game seven, down by one with 34 seconds left, Patrick Ewing dunked a follow up off a John Starks miss to give the Knicks a one points lead with 26 seconds to play.
On the ensuing possession, Reggie Miller put up an air ball with four seconds left that all but sealed it for New York.
The 94-90 victory allowed the Knicks to advance to their first NBA finals appearance since 1973.
No. 4: New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat in First Round of 1999 NBA Playoffs
7 of 10In 1999, the Knicks and Heat played a grueling five game, first round series.
New York, the eighth seed, barely qualified for the playoffs and were counted out by many against the first seeded Miami.
The Knicks however came out with a bang. They took the first game by a score of 95-75 and seemed poised to prove to the basketball world they were a team to be feared.
Miami however, responded in game two with an 83-73 victory that brought the Knicks back down to earth.
New York visited cloud nine once again though in game three. They won 97-73 and for the first time, a first round victory seemed within reach.
The Heat were not about to let that happen though. They beat the Knicks 87-72 in game four. With the series tied at two games apiece, the teams headed back to Miami for game five.
Unlike the previous four games, which were physical, but not at all close, game five was a battle. The Heat and Knicks went back and forth all night.
With just under five seconds left and Miami clinging to a one point lead, it seemed that New York's hope at an upset was coming to an end.
The Knicks had the ball and guard Charlie Ward inbounded to Allan Houston. Houston proceeded to hit a running jumper with only eight tenths of a second left on the game clock, thus solidifying the upset.
New York became only the second eighth seeded team in NBA history to knock off a number one seed and began their miracle run that would land them in the NBA finals.
No. 3: New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals
8 of 10The Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals in five games to win their second championship.
New York lost the first game to the Lakers 115-112, but went on to win the next four by scores of 99-95, 87-83, 103-98 and 102-93.
It was a very impressive series for the Knicks, who experience redemption having previously fallen in five games to the Lakers the previous season in the NBA Finals.
This championship came merely a year before Willis Reed retired bringing an end to New York's glory days, which is why it is part of the reason why it is so significant. The Knicks, on the backs of Reed and Walt Clyde Frazier defeated a very impressive Lakers team that included the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West.
Although the Knicks went on to reach the Eastern Conference finals in the next season, this series marked the last finals appearance until 1994.
Additionally, it is New York's most current NBA championship. They have not won a title since, which makes it the third greatest playoff series in New York Knicks history.
No. 2: New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers in 1999 NBA Eastern Conference Finals
9 of 10This Knicks series against the Pacers was the highlight of New York's cinderella playoff run in 1999.
Having already knocked off the top seeded Miami Heat in the first round, and sweeping the Atlanta Hawks in the second round, New York came into the Eastern Conference finals hungry for more.
The Knicks won game one of the series by a score of 93-90, but the Pacers rebounded in game two to win 88 to 86.
When the series headed to New York for game three, the Knicks were looking to keep the home court advantage they had gained by beating Indiana in game one.
With just over eleven seconds left, the Pacers led the Knicks 91-88. The Knicks inbounded the ball to Larry Johnson, and all indications were that Indiana was going to foul and only allow Johnson the opportunity to take two free-throws.
However, the Pacers did not foul soon enough and Johnson wound up getting hacked while taking a three-pointer, which he nailed. He sank the free-throw to put the Knicks up 92-91 and clinch a game three victory.
The Pacers once again regained composure after a heartbreaking loss though. In game four, Indiana defeated the Knicks 90-78 to tie the series at two games apiece.
However, the Knicks won game five 101-94 and never looked back. Game seven ended with the Knicks winning 90-82 and clinching an NBA Finals appearance.
With this series victory, the Knicks became the first eighth seeded team in NBA history to make it to the NBA finals.
Furthermore, New York played a large portion of the series without Patrick Ewing who was injured in game three, making their accomplishment all the more impressive.
This was truly an incredible run by the Knicks, and the New York faithful are hopeful they can stun the basketball world once again this year.
No. 1: New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970 NBA Finals
10 of 10The Knicks defeated the Lakers in a grueling seven game series to bring New York its first ever NBA championship in 1970.
New York won the first game of the series 124-112. Los Angeles came back to win game two though by a score of 105-103.
The Knicks bounced back themselves and took game three 111-108 in overtime. The Lakers came back yet again though in game four to win 121-115 in overtime.
In game five, Willis Reed tore a muscle in his right leg during the second quarter and was out for the rest of the game. Despite his absence, New York took game five 107-100, coming back from a 16-point deficit and was one game away from their first NBA title.
Without their captain, Reed, in game six though, the Knicks suffered a 135-113 loss at the hands of the Lakers, which forced a deciding game seven, thus setting the stage for one of the most iconic moments in NBA history.
Reed, despite his leg injury, walked onto the court, or rather, limped on to the court. He decided to play through the pain to try and lock up a New York championship. He scored the first two baskets for the knickerbockers, but went scoreless for the rest of the game.
However, Reed's determination and resilience was enough to catapult the Knicks to a game seven victory. The Knicks beat the Lakers 113-99 to bring New York its first ever NBA championship.
The entire lineup from that championship team had their jerseys retired. Walt Clyde Frazier (#10), Willis Reed (#19), Dave DeBusschere (#22), Bill Bradley (#24), and Dick Barnett (#12), all have their jerseys hanging from the rafters in Madison Square Garden.
And the fact that this was the Knicks first ever NBA championship, and being that they won it against the Lakers in a tumultuous seven game series while overcoming a detrimental injury to their captain, there is no question that this is the number one greatest playoff series in New York Knicks history.
