Brian Windhorst addresses ‘derogatory’ Knicks signs before Game 1 vs. Spurs

It took nearly three decades for them to get here, but the New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals, recharging a deeply passionate yet highly critical fanbase starving for a championship.

The Knicks will battle the San Antonio Spurs, a rematch of the championship round in 1999, which the latter won in five games.

For many years, it felt like the Knicks were eternally cursed, suffering one losing campaign after another, along with a myriad of awful roster moves. It seemed like reaching the NBA Finals was impossible.

Until it was not.

A steady surge in recent seasons has brought New York to the ultimate stage. Led by the core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges, the Knicks’ journey has been nothing but inspiring.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said the Knicks are easy to root for.

“There are some fans out here in San Antonio, I saw them on the street today, that had like derogatory signs about the Knicks, but that doesn’t come with feeling. The Knicks are a likable team,” said Windhorst.

“You may dislike them because they’re from New York if you’re from Texas, but how can you not like them?”

Brian Windhorst:

"There's some fans out here in San Antonio I saw em on the street today that had like derogatory signs about the Knicks but that doesn't come with feeling. The Knicks are a likable team. You may dislike them because they're from New York if you're from Texas but… pic.twitter.com/cw69b0MlfX

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 3, 2026

What is not to love? Brunson is modest, Towns is amiable, Hart is hilarious, Anunoby is unassuming, and Bridges is lively. Positive attributes can be assigned to anyone on the roster. The so-called “Villanova Knicks” is also a feel-good story.

The Knicks are, to borrow a trendy term these days, ethical hoopers. They are all business. They don’t play dirty. They play their respective roles. They are a blue-collar unit.

Most importantly, they are bonded by their singular goal of trying to bring the trophy back to New York for the first time since 1973.

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