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The New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers have an undeniable appeal as two historic teams of the NBA. While one may note the absence of envious and fierce leftovers of these teams as displayed in the Lakers vs Boston Celtics rivalry, the match games between Lakers and Knicks are still exciting to watch. The colorful nature of these two teams embody two prominent cities in the United States, Los Angeles and New York, and thus their matches are filled with enjoyment, excitement and nostalgia.
This article will delve into the history of the rivalry between Knicks and Lakers, emphasizing key players and moments that ensure fans continue tuning in to watch these two teams go head to head.
The Early Years: Beginnings in the 1940s
The rivalry between the lakers and the knicks began in 1948 when both teams were trying to consolidate their position in the league. When the knicks were founded back in 1946, they managed to secure a supportive fan base and made a strong presence in madison square garden, thus giving them an early advantage. Even with their initial showdowns being scarce, both teams slowly gained fame and competitive status to their names.
Since the league was still in its evolving phase during this period, limited matchups between the two teams were not only expected, but competitive games between the two teams were a must. After all, the initial stages of this rivalry were being set up.
Moving To Los Angeles and The Lakers Back to Back Victories
In 1960, the Lakers made a major step in their franchises’ history by relocating from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. The franchise’s athletes’ composition along with the transition into Los Angeles further strengthened the position of the Lakers in the NBA as they began dominating. The roster was headlined by players such as Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and later on Magic Johnson. Johnson further cemented their place in the top teams of the NBA in the 1980’s.
During the 80’s, under the coaching of Pat Riley, the Lakers showcased far more than just defeating themselves by repeatedly going to the Finals. Winning several Championships in that decade made them true contenders. The Lakers broadway-like fast pace ‘Showtime’ style made them arguably the most enjoyable team to watch. On the other hand, even though the roster of the Knicks was competitive, they did not get a glimpse of winning during this period.
Even though the rivalship was at its peak, making these clashes between the Lakers and Knicks much needed television, the Knicks were looked at as underdogs and the Lakers supremacy of the 1980’s further heightened this illusion. Still, with both teams solidifying their places in the NBA, the rivalry was intensifying.
The ’90s and 2000: Competitive Incidents and Major Participants
Even though the Lakers and the Knicks were not always the top tier teams in the 1990s the matches between them were always of great importance. During the decade of the 1990s, the Knicks were dominant with Patrick Ewing leading them to great heights. Their more rigid defensive style of play often came into conflict with the Lakers more aesthetically pleasing offense. This period saw the two teams engaging in some wonderful match-ups in regular season games all of which provided a different experience in style of play.
The 2000s was a different period in the rivalry as a significant one. The Lakers were for example in one of their most new periods of the franchise when Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led the team to three back to back NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. The Knicks on the other hand were in a rebuilding phase, but the strength of the Lakers during this period meant any match-up with New Yorkers was of great importance.
In the early 2000s, the two strongest players on the Lakers were undoubtedly Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The New York Knicks, on the other hand, struggled to make it to the playoffs. Therefore, it was no surprise that the games between the two teams were popular due to all the stars on the floor, which included Tim Thomas, Allan Houston and, of course, Kobe Bryant.
Modern Era: Basketball Has New Rivals
By the 2010s, things had shifted between the Lakers and Knicks. After the retirement of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers entered a transitional period, while the Knicks experienced a few decent seasons under the management of Mike D’Antoni. Additionally, the Knicks witnessed a surge in popularity during the ‘Linsanity’ phase, which first brought excitement to Madison Square Garden in 2012 with Jeremy Lin as the star player, resulting in a small increase in the team’s success.
During the onset of the 2020’s, both LeBron and the Lakers were in the pinnacle of their career after winning the 2020 Championship. On the other hand, the Knicks seemed to be failing in their attempts to reclaim past glory. Even so, in 2018 the Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau and paired him with Julius Randle, creating a focus on both defense and individual skill. With era of the ‘NBA bubble’ in full swing, LeBron James managed to take the Lakers to new heights then ever before.
Most of the matches essayed between the Knicks and Lakers were filled with star studded performances, enabling fans to see both LeBron James and Julius Randle. Such encounters brought a shift in dimension to the decade old rivalry.
Significance of Lakers and Knicks
Both sides have passionate fanbases which add to the significance of the rivalry. The Lakers are known for their showmanship with an array of star players and championship wins. This enables them to represent the glitz of the city of Los Angeles while the Knicks, despite struggling in the modern era, are the heart of New York City for their passionate fans.
In the second place, both clubs have had a share of some of the greats in the NBA. Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson for the Lakers, Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing and Clyde Frazier for the Knicks. This matchup is an imagery of the greats that have played in the NBA. These teams have provided fans with some of the most exciting moments in basketball history.
This is also the appeal of the cities themselves – Los Angeles and New York: they are both so different and unique. The spirit of New York is captured by the Knicks: tough, and gritty, while the Lakers encapsulate the Hollywood charm, celebrity status, and the elite attitude of Los Angeles. Games from these two have an overlap of the two cultural hubs of the world.
Conclusion
Lakers and Knicks rivalry has never featured as much animosity as the other NBA rivalries, however, this is still a very important matchup in the NBA landscape. Every game played between the teams has an aura of excitement and anticipation due to the rich history, star players, and two of the most famous brands in sports. The Lakers and Knicks continue to provide unforgettable moments whether it is a regular season game or a meeting in the playoffs.
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