Of NBA’s Final Four, Only Knicks Have Won Title — And That Was In 1973

The NBA’s Final Four is set, and in case you weren’t aware, we will have another new champion.

The Western Conference pits the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.

In the East, it’s the third-seeded New York Knicks against the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers. 

Regardless of who wins the Thunder-Wolves series, it will be almost a first. The Wolves have never been. The Thunder went in 2011, a lockout year, but lost to the Miami Heat.

Meanwhile, the Knicks and Pacers have each been to the Finals, but it’s been a long time for either. The Knicks last appeared in 1999, as a No. 8 seed in a lockout-shortened season. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

They also went in 1994, losing to the Houston Rockets. The time before that, in 1973, the Knicks won. That was back in the days of Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, and Bill Bradley. They beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the title.

Anyway, as for the Pacers, there was the Finals appearance in 2000 — when they lost to the Lakers. That was their lone visit, as far as the NBA is concerned. (They did reach the ABA Finals five times, with championship wins coming in 1970, 1972, and 1973. They also reached the ABA Finals in 1969 and 1975.)

And yes, I realize the Thunder used to be the Seattle SuperSonics. But I don’t really include Sonics history as part of Thunder history — even though some do.

But since this is my website, I’m keeping the Thunder and Sonics as separate entities (especially since I think Seattle will have the Sonics again within the next few years as an expansion team). Also, I doubt too many people in Seattle are rooting for the Thunder. It’s been 16 years since the Sonics left for OKC.

Anyway, no matter how you spin it, this is a cool new world in the NBA. Teams that haven’t been here in a long time — or ever — are now taking the spotlight. Yes, the Thunder are the favorites after finishing with a 68-14 record. But I honestly think it’s very much up in the air.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about this season, that is it. It truly is anyone’s game.

And for the record, I think any Finals matchup would be fantastic. Thunder-Knicks. Thunder-Pacers. Wolves-Knicks. Wolves-Pacers. Yes, yes, and double yes. I’d take any possibility. And now, so will the NBA.