Notables

  • 1991-92, 51-31, Lost NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals (3-4) versus Chicago Bulls
  • 1996-97, 57-25, Lost NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals (3-4) versus Miami Heat
  • 1999-00, 50-32, Lost NBA Eastern Conference Finals (2-4) versus Indiana Pacers
  • 2012-13, 54-28, Lost NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals (2-4) versus Indiana Pacers

The 1991-92 team increased their win total by 13 games from the previous season after hiring legendary head coach Pat Riley. They went from a good defense to a dominant one. More on these guys later.

1996-97 was the first full season under beloved former head coach and former Riley assistant Jeff Van Gundy. JVG continued the tradition of Riley’s teams, hard-nosed defense led by Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and Larry Johnson. It was the first of four straight seasons of legendary playoff matchups between the Knicks and the Miami Heat.

1999-00 was another season and another great JVG defense. They had a DRtng+ of 96.9 and ranked fifth in opponent’s effective field goal percentage. They also beat the Heat in the second round of the playoffs before falling to nemesis Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2012-13 was Carmelo Anthony‘s best season as a Knick. He won the scoring title, and helped the team win their first playoff series in more than ten years. Melo also spent a majority of the season at the power forward position. He thrived next to big man Tyson Chandler, who made the only All-Star appearance of his career that season.