NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal thinks that luck played a big role in the New York Knicks ending their 53-year championship drought.
In a recent episode of “The Big Podcast,” which he and sportscaster Adam Lefkoe host, the four-time NBA champion boldly claimed that New York was “just a little fortunate” during its Finals run.
His comments sparked massive debates among fans. Some claimed that O’Neal was just hating on the Knicks’ triumph, while others said he was telling the truth as the franchise was lucky in crucial stretches.
The three-time MVP argued that luck was on New York’s side in Game 4 of the Finals, as the Spurs collapsed, surrendering a 29-point lead. It was capped off by OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in. O’Neal added that the costly mistake by San Antonio guard De’Aaron Fox late in the same game was another massive help for the Knicks.
Although O’Neal’s argument that the series could have gone either way if these moments didn’t happen, and that it could have been a tied series heading to San Antonio, is valid, these aren’t products of pure luck.
It came to fruition because of grit, hustle and the never-say-die attitude of the team. It was a direct result of the Knicks’ sustained physical and tactical pressure.
They had one of the most impressive campaigns in NBA playoff history. The team finished the postseason with a 16-3 record, with the highest single-postseason point differential in history at +283 points, along with multiple wins by 29+ points.
New York recorded clinical performances against Eastern Conference rivals Atlanta Hawks with a 4-2 first-round win, and sweeps over the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals.
It also posted the best defensive rating of 104.9 throughout the playoffs, ranking first overall in the category. New York went on a 13-game win streak at one point, which was the second-longest single-postseason streak in league history.
The sustained success couldn’t be accounted for as luck, as O’Neal claimed, as it reflected the team’s superior preparation, depth, execution and composure in clutch moments.
The stats and numbers could easily prove his controversial take wrong as the Knicks created their own “luck” with their relentless and suffocating defense.
We can’t simply brush off this historic run even if “The Big Diesel” identified dramatic moments down the stretch. There’s broader evidence we can point to.
New York rightfully earned the championship because “luck” opened a door, but its elite defense and pressure walked the team through it to finally deliver an NBA title to the city.
