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NY Knicks: How the world has changed since their last playoff berth

By James Ryder

BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks celebrates with teammates Kenyon Martin #3 and Jason Kidd #5 as Courtney Lee #11 of the Boston Celtics walks toward the bench in the first half in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks celebrates with teammates Kenyon Martin #3 and Jason Kidd #5 as Courtney Lee #11 of the Boston Celtics walks toward the bench in the first half in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James with the Miami Heat in 2010. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

NY Knicks: Rewind to the 2012-13 NBA

It is remarkable how the landscape of any professional sport can change in just one offseason. In many ways, the NBA 8 years ago is unrecognizable, but it is also in many ways ironically very similar.

The San Antonio Spurs were defeated by the Miami Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals. It was the second straight championship for the “Big 3.” That series gave us one of the biggest moments in NBA history; Ray Allen’s corner three in Game 6 that forced overtime and kept the Heat alive to eventually win the series.

James won his fourth MVP that season and his second Finals MVP. The title was Chris Bosh’s second and Dwayne Wade’s third. Bosh was just announced as a member of the 2021 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class this past weekend. This came during the commencements of Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen, and NBA legends Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and the late Kobe Bryant into the 2020 class.

During the 2012-13 season, Duncan was on that Spurs Finals team. It was his only Finals loss. Garnett made his final all-star appearance that year, and it turned out to be his final year as a Celtic, too. Bryant dragged the disappointing Los Angeles Lakers to the West’s 8th seed. This was also the season in which he famously tore his Achilles, made two free throws, and walked off the court on his own. The Lakers lost in the first round without him.

In 2013, Kevin Durant, now a certified NY Knicks villain and Brooklyn Net, was still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, alongside current Nets teammate James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. His other Brooklyn teammate and Co-Villain Kyrie Irving was just a sophomore on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Irving made his all-star debut in 2013. Both Irving and Durant had not yet won a ring.

Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo were still in their primes and led the league in rebounds and assists per game, respectively. Damian Lillard won Rookie of the Year and was joined by Anthony Davis and Bradley Beal on the All-Rookie 1st Team. Stephen Curry had not yet changed the league forever, while Harden, Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George were all ascending to stardom.

8 years ago, the New Orleans Pelicans were the Hornets, the Charlotte Hornets were the Bobcats, and the Philadelphia 76ers were just a year away from the dawn of “The Process” and winning a league-low 19 games. The Cavs, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sacramento Kings all sucked. Some things never change.

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