Table of Contents
New York Knicks
Founding Franchise
The Knicks were founded in 1946 and are one of the original teams from the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA.1)
Name Origin
“Knickerbockers” comes from the pants Dutch settlers wore in the 1600s. It became slang for New Yorkers.2)
Only Original Team Still in the Same City
The Knicks are the only original NBA team to have never relocated or changed names.3)
Madison Square Garden Icons
They’ve played in Madison Square Garden since 1968—one of the most famous arenas in the world.4)
The Garden Has a Signature Sound
MSG is known for its unique acoustics—players and fans often say it “sounds different.”5)
First Game Winners
The Knicks won the first-ever BAA (NBA) game on November 1, 1946, against the Toronto Huskies.6)
Walt “Clyde” Frazier's Swagger
Frazier was known for both lockdown defense and being one of the NBA’s original fashion icons.7)
Phil Jackson Played Here First
Before coaching the Bulls and Lakers to 11 titles, Jackson was a Knicks forward and won two titles with them.8)
Championship Legacy
The Knicks won NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973.9)
Legendary Broadcast Team
The Knicks' broadcasts are graced by Hall of Famer Walt Frazier and play-by-play legend Mike Breen—famous for his “BANG!” calls.10)
Willis Reed’s Heroic Game 7
Reed famously limped onto the court in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals, inspiring the team to victory.11)
Strong Alumni Network
Notable Knicks alumni include Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, Allan Houston, and John Starks.12)
90s Rivalries
The Knicks’ 1990s battles with the Bulls, Heat, and Pacers are some of the fiercest in NBA history.13)
Owned by Madison Square Garden Company
The team is currently owned by James Dolan and the MSG Sports group.14)
One of the Most Valuable Teams
Despite performance struggles, the Knicks consistently rank among the most valuable franchises in sports.15)