For the first time in more than two decades, the New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals. As Game 1 approaches, excitement around Cresskill High School continues to grow.
After their dominant run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Knicks have become one of the biggest topics of conversation around the school. Students are wearing Knicks jerseys and hoodies, discussing games in the hallways, and sharing reactions on social media after every win.
For many students, this is the most successful Knicks team they have ever watched. While some students may remember previous playoff appearances, none have experienced a Knicks team reaching the NBA Finals before. Now, the Knicks are four wins away from a championship.
Sophomore Jack Silver said he was both excited and surprised when the Knicks clinched their spot in the Finals.
“I was overjoyed, but honestly I was kind of shocked,” Silver said. “Especially because they won it in a sweep.”
Jack believes the team’s success has made the Knicks a much bigger topic around school.
“I think they definitely have,” he said. “Just because of the sheer amount of success they’ve had in the last couple of weeks.”
Freshman Manav Amin shared a similar view, saying the playoff run has brought more students together and introduced new people to the excitement surrounding the Knicks. He believes more students are paying attention to the team than ever before and thinks the Knicks have a real chance to win the championship.
Teachers have noticed the excitement as well.
Computer Science teacher Mr.McCaffery said students frequently bring up the Knicks, especially after games.
“Basically every time they play, students bring it up,” he said.
When asked about the Knicks reaching the Finals, McCaffery described the moment as surreal.
“It was like a dream,” he said. “I asked somebody to pinch me.”
He also noted that the last time the Knicks reached the Finals, he was in college, highlighting how long many fans have waited for this moment.
Math teacher Mr. Mirkovich has also noticed an increase in Knicks conversations throughout the school.
“Definitely,” he said when asked if students have been talking more about the team. “Even faculty members are talking about the Knicks during this playoff run.”
According to Mr.Mirkovich, the playoff run has helped bring people together throughout the school community.
“It’s like a little microcosm of New York City,” he said. “You can see people connecting over it.”
While basketball fans often support different teams and players, Mr.Mirkovich believes the Knicks’ success has created a shared excitement that extends beyond dedicated fans.
“Now that they’re in the Finals, definitely more people are talking about them,” he said.
Mr.Mirkovich, who watched the Knicks’ previous Finals appearance as a freshman in high school, said reaching this stage brought back memories of years spent supporting the team through difficult seasons.
“When teams are bad for a long time and finally become great, there’s nothing like that in sports,” he said.
Jack Silver also pointed to the team’s improvement on the court, saying this year’s roster feels different from recent Knicks teams. He believes the additions made over the past few seasons and the growth of the team’s leaders have helped elevate the Knicks to another level.
As Game 1 of the NBA Finals approaches, excitement continues to build throughout Cresskill. Whether students have followed the Knicks for years or have only recently started paying attention, many will be watching to see if this team can complete one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.
