Knicks Legends Celebrate First NBA Championship Since 1973

The New York Knicks are NBA champions again, and the emotions are pouring in from those who know what it means to bleed orange and blue.

For the first time since 1973, the Knicks have reached basketball's mountaintop. NY1 is bringing together three franchise legends to unpack what this historic win means for New York City and everyone who's ever worn the uniform.

John Starks, Stephon Marbury, and Bernard King will share their perspectives in a special conversation airing Saturday, June 20 at 8 p.m. on NY1. These aren't just former players. They're men who poured their hearts into Madison Square Garden, who felt the weight of championship drought, who understood what New York fans endured year after year.

Dean Meminger and Stef Manisero are hosting the special titled "New York's Champions." The timing couldn't be more perfect, coming just one day after the team clinched the title.

The Ripple Effect

This championship reaches far beyond one team's success. For former Knicks players who never got to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy, this moment offers a form of closure and celebration they've waited decades to experience.

The win validates every player who suited up during the 53-year drought, reminding them their contributions mattered even without a ring. Young fans who only knew disappointment now have their own championship memory, something they can carry forward and share with future generations.

New York City gets to reclaim its basketball pride on the world's biggest stage. The energy rippling through all five boroughs shows how deeply this victory connects the current team to the city's rich basketball heritage.

For Starks, Marbury, and King, watching the 2026 roster achieve what eluded them creates a bittersweet but ultimately joyful moment. Their struggles and near-misses paved the road that led here.

Saturday's special promises to capture the raw emotion of this long-awaited triumph through voices that truly understand its significance.