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The Knicks Are Playing ’90s Basketball, And I’m Here For It

Author Jeff Gorra

30 years ago, in 1994, the New York Knicks made it to the NBA finals. Now, as we sit in the middle of the eastern conference semi-finals, this Knicks playoff team is bringing back ’90s style basketball, and the fans are loving it.

What is 1990’s basketball? With legends like Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and Charles Oakley being the core of the Knicks during this decade, they were a scrappy and physical bunch. Furthermore, they were under the leadership of Pat Riley, who instilled a relentless confidence in the squad where they never quit or seemed out of a game, regardless of the score.

The Knicks franchise and fanbase has endured a lot since then. Sure, we had some great teams that included all-stars like Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, and Larry Johnson. In fact, in 1999, the team that included those three players made the finals. Now, we are seeing those well-known stars sitting courtside, cheering on this 2023-2024 team.

Another 1999 teammate joining them is Rick Brunson. If that last name rings a bell, it’s because he is now an assistant coach for the Knicks, and his son is the new all-star face of the franchise in Jalen Brunson. #11 on one foot took matters into his own hands vs. the Indiana Pacers last night, and helped the team win a game two that many thought they had no chance of winning. Brunson, like his father’s team, has been scrappy, physical, clutch, and relentless.

This Knicks Playoff Team Also Resembles The Giants

To be specific, they resemble the 2007-2008 New York Giants. That team was hit hard with injuries. Like the Knicks with Julius Randle, that Giants team lost their big fiery man in Jeremy Shockey late in the season with a broken leg. When the Giants made it to the playoffs, fans thought they might win one game, make it to round two, and then call it a day. That would have been considered a successful season.

But we got more than we could have expected. That Giants team got hot at the right time and did not back down to anyone. They believed in themselves and each player knew their role and responsibility and how to work together to help the team win. We all know what happened next. They knocked off the teams who were highly favored (including the undefeated Patriots) to win the Super Bowl.

It’s fair to feel like this Knicks team is playing with house money. We have extra basketball, because the team has gone further than anybody expected, especially with how many injuries the team has overcome.

They refuse to back down. They are playing an in-your-face style of basketball where you just can’t get them to go away. To some degree, we are seeing this ’90s style in various areas of this season’s NBA playoffs.

Think back to Anthony Edwards barking in the face of his childhood hero Kevin Durant, after Edwards was on fire during that first-round series. That was very reminiscent of ’90s stars, who played the game so hard. In addition to Ewing, I’m talking about the likes of Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley constantly bumping each other. Or Jordan’s facial expressions making headlines everywhere after he drained a bucket vs. Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz.

Now, we have ’90s basketball legend, Barkley trying to put out the Knicks hype, calling New York “overrated” and saying he’s going to love to see who gets stomped out by the Boston Celtics. Maybe Sir Charles shouldn’t have said that because you know guys like Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Isaiah Hartenstein love that bulletin board material. They embrace that underdog role and hit the court with a “watch this” mentality each night.

In the ’90s, I watched every second of the Knicks playoff games. Oftentimes, I was standing up for most of it right in front of the TV. As I stood there last night on two feet, inches away from the TV, I could feel the explosive energy from the Madison Square Garden faithful, as the orange and blue wrapped up game two with a win. I had flashbacks to 1994. Perhaps this team is reaching back in time and grabbing that baton from Ewing to finish the job.

Who knows how far this team will go, they’ve already exceeded expectations. Regardless, 1994 fans and 2024 fans will ride this wave with them the whole way through.

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

Ranking The 5 Best NBA Uniforms Of The 90's

Arguably, the 1990’s may have been the greatest cultural decade in America. Legendary rock music stormed onto the scene, hip-hop was in its “golden era,” Blockbuster video was the place to be, and the NBA featured some of the greatest basketball talent to ever play the game. During the ’90s, NBA teams also sported some classic uniforms.

Many of these looks are making a comeback. In fact, my kids’ in-town youth programs even opted to forgo the traditional jersey with the town name on it this year. Instead, each team was assigned the name of a NBA squad. Better yet, their uniforms are all a nod to the classic looks from the ’90s. We’re talking the likes of Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, and Orlando Magic originals.

In order to compile this ranking of which five teams in the NBA rocked the best and most classic uniforms, some conditions needed to be set.

Best 1990 NBA Uniform Criteria

Yes, the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers were prominent franchises during this decade (All 6 of Michael Jordan’s championships happened in the ’90s). However, teams that have not changed their uniform design presently are excluded. So, teams like the Bulls, Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Spurs and Trail Blazers are out.

Here is what I was looking for. The teams from the 1990’s had the perfect combination of classic uniforms, that were worn by beloved players. Furthermore, these looks still represent tradition and memorable years where the teams saw some success. For example, if you were to ask a NBA fan what do you envision when I say the name Karl Malone, the answer would be “The Mailman” taking the rock to the hoop in his physical one-hand-on-the-head pose, wearing the purple and yellow Jazz insignia.

Color Codes

It’s important to note, each player was able to seek their own sneaker endorsement at this time (much like today). However, pro basketball players had to follow some guidelines with what they could wear. Often it was a white or black sneaker only.

The irony here is that although the creative color options were limited, the sneaker game from the ’90s was also legendary. Air Jordan Jumpman’s from throughout this decade remain some of the most sought-after (and expensive) shoes.

In addition, there was a uniform format of the ’90s. Teams strictly wore white at home, and color away.

Not that we have fully set the stage as to what the best decade in the NBA looked like, let’s rank the five most legendary 90’s uniforms.

*Honorable mention for teams not included in this list include the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets.

  • #5 Utah Jazz

    This Jazz logo is back these days. However, the purple away threads with yellow Utah Jazz across the chest remains a very 1990’s look. The basketball embedded in the “J” brings the logo to new level. The home look was exactly the same , it just featured a white uniform. Jazz Legends that wore this include Karl Malone and John Stockton.

    Shawn Kemp #40 of the Seattle Supersonics drives against Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz.

    Photo: Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images

  • #4 Orlando Magic

    This was the original Magic look. The team’s first season was in 1989, and they wore the white pinstripe home, and black pinstripe aways until 1998. The team made it to their first Finals appearance, sporting this look in 1995. Magic legends who wore this include Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway.

    Forward Antonio McDyess of the Denver Nuggets goes up for two as Orlando Magic center Shaquille O''Neal covers him during a game at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida

    Photo: All Sport / Getty Images

  • #3 Phoenix Suns

    The Suns sported a similar design model to the Jazz with a prominent graphic wrapped around the chest. The Suns made the list for two reasons. First, this look was such an upgrade from the previous uniform design, which really bland. Second, it was synonymous with that infamous team that took the Chicago Bulls to six games in the 1993 Finals. Suns legends that wore this include Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle.

    Forward Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns goes up for two during a game against the Chicago Bulls

    Photo: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport / Getty Images

  • #2 Seattle Supersonics

    Oh wow. The green with the white Sonics ribbon and yellow numbers is as classic ’90s basketball as you can get. The green and yellow may also be the best color combination in NBA history. It just fit Seattle and even rock stars like Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament wore these jerseys loud and proud. The Sonics should have never gone away from them in mid-’90s and Seattle should have never let the Sonics go. Supersonics legends who wore this include Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton.

    Xavier McDaniel #34 of the Seattle Supersonics looks on during a game.

    Rick Stewart/Getty Images

  • #1 Charlotte Hornets

    The teal and purple were just so out of the ordinary. When the Hornets came into the league in 1988 they immediately took the court marching to their own beat. They embraced the clip-art bumble bee. In contrast, both their home and away jersey only said “Charlotte” across the chest as opposed to “Hornets.” A more modern, upgraded look is what the team wears now. It slightly pays respect to their beyond entertaining teams of the ’90s.  Hornets legends that wore this include Larry “Grandmama” Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.

    #2 Larry Johnson of the Charlotte Hornets at the free throw line about to take a shot.

    Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

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