The last time the New York Knicks made the NBA Finals was 1999, and they fell two wins short this past spring against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jalen Brunson and company are focused on a title this season, and two former players think they have the talent to win the Eastern Conference.
On Monday's episode of "Run it Back" on FanDuel TV, former shooting guard Lou Williams picked the Knicks to represent the East in the Finals, despite concerns about Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart's early-season roles with new head coach Mike Brown.
Williams' co-host DeMarcus Cousins agreed with his take about the Knicks.
"Lou sold that so well, I think I'm gonna have to agree with him," Cousins said about choosing the Knicks to make the Finals. "When it comes to being consistent throughout the regular season, I think they've done the best job, as far as the Eastern Conference is concerned."
Cousins didn't seem to care for the "Nova Knicks" era
Back in February, Cousins laughed at the Knicks for assembling a core of players who attended Villanova University.
Along with calling the Knicks an "average team", the four-time All-Star made it clear that combining former college teammates does not elevate a roster to championship caliber.
"We've been bamboozled," Cousins said with a laugh. “We sat here and allowed the Knicks to put together a championship college team and try to run it back in the NBA. When they initially did, we thought it was a good idea, but now we look at it, they look like an average team."
A lot can change in less than a year, and Cousins clearly feels better about the Knicks now than he did nine months ago.
More Knicks news:
- Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns opens up on breaking out of his shooting slump
- Knicks head coach Mike Brown delivering on offseason promise early in season
- Jason Kidd raves about Jalen Brunson after Knicks win over Mavericks
- Knicks fan points out Mike Brown-Tom Thibodeau hypocrisy after Jalen Brunson injury