New York Knicks Fans Shouldn’t Expect Splash Until 2016

Mar 3, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Despite failing to win an NBA championship in any season since 1973, the New York Knicks have one of the most passionate fan bases in the world of professional sports. Through good times and poor, dreadful seasons and those of glory, the fans have remained consistent in their passion.

That’s why it’s so difficult to admit the truth: New York won’t be relevant in the championship discussion until 2016-17.

That may not be what fans want to hear given the indescribably impatient mentality of the average New Yorker. Due to the constructs of free agency and the rising salary cap, however, the best opportunity for Phil Jackson to strike gold will not be found in the summer of 2015.

Per Marc Berman of The New York Post, Jackson confirmed as much by stating that New York won’t win a championship in 2015.

"“We don’t expect to go to a championship next year,’’ Jackson said. “That would be, like, talking crazy.’’ “I hope it’s not we just made the playoffs at 35-47,’’ Jackson said. “I want to see us have a winning record and see us win. That’s a big jump to go from where we’re at to having a winning record.’’"

The rise to championship contention starts with one very important question: who will be available in 2016?

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