Knicks fans get particularly anxious whenever James Dolan is under the spotlight—second only to seeing their team get thoroughly defeated by the Eastern Conference leaders. On Monday, they faced both scenarios. Dolan appeared on WFAN’s Craig Kirton show, setting high expectations for the team to reach the finals or face failure, and mentioned that he doesn’t anticipate any major roster moves before the trade deadline. Some of his remarks were shared by Stephen Bondy of the New York Post.
“We want to make it to the finals. And we have to win the finals. In sports, anything can happen, but reaching the finals is a must,” Dolan said.
He praised the current team’s camaraderie, saying, “We love this squad right now. They have great chemistry, and everyone gets along. I’ve never seen a locker room this united—there’s so much energy. Leon can challenge me anytime, but I don’t foresee many changes because this group needs to keep growing. I truly believe this team can win championships.”
However, the mood shifted later that night after the top-seeded Detroit Pistons convincingly defeated the Knicks 121-90, spearheaded by Cade Cunningham’s 29 points. While a January regular-season game is different from a playoff showdown in May, this marked the Knicks’ fourth consecutive loss amid a slump, making Dolan’s earlier optimism feel somewhat off-timed.
In the same discussion, Dolan praised former coach Tom Thibodeau but noted a lack of collaboration and player development essential in today’s NBA. He also addressed the Knicks’ decision not to display an NBA Cup banner yet, explaining to Christian Arnold of the New York Post, “We’ll definitely raise a flag—we want to raise an NBA championship flag. We’re aiming for the title, not a consolation prize.”
Currently, the Knicks are betting as favorites to win the Eastern Conference with DraftKings (Pistons at +400 odds, Knicks at +290), aligning with Dolan’s expectations for an NBA Finals appearance. Fans were hoping Dolan would emphasize that team president Leon Rose has the final say in player and personnel decisions, to avoid Dolan’s notorious involvement in roster matters.
Despite all, Dolan set a high goal that many Knicks supporters had been craving, a vision to reach the finals by season’s end. Still, his presence in the spotlight always brings a bit of unease for fans.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for basketball fans as it highlights the tension between high ambitions and the current struggles of a major NBA franchise. Dolan’s comments reveal a desire for championship success, but the recent losses and management dynamics may signal ongoing challenges that could impact the Knicks’ future trajectory in the league.
