Are the Rangers and Knicks Bound for Destiny?

Sometimes the stories write themselves. 

In the Spring of 1994, the New York Rangers and New York Knicks embarked on a magical run that saw each team make it to their respective league finals. The Rangers beat the Vancouver Canucks in seven to capture their first Stanley Cup since 1940. However, the Knicks came up short in their bid to win their first title since 1973, losing to the Houston Rockets in seven. 

That would be the last time both teams advanced as a tandem that deep into the postseason. The Rangers lost to the LA Kings in the 2014 Cup finals; the Knicks to the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 NBA finals. That's as close as either team would get to a championship. One Stanley Cup since 1940 for the Rangers; 51 years and counting without a title for the Knicks. Sad, isn't it? The hockey and basketball gods are indeed cruel.

Fast forward thirty years and the local hockey and basketball teams are once again embarking on what could be another magical run. The parallels couldn't be more striking. 

First, the Rangers:

Coming off a disappointing 1992-93 season, then General Manager Neil Smith hired Mike Keenan, an experienced and accomplished coach with an impressive resume. Keenan brought structure and discipline to the Rangers locker room, and the Blueshirts went on to win the Presidents' Trophy. They swept their first round opponent, the Islanders, and took a 2-0 lead over their second round opponent, the Washington Capitals, before eventually capturing their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

Coming off a disappointing 2022-23 season, General Manager and President Chris Drury hires Peter Laviolette, an experienced and accomplished coach with an impressive resume. Laviolette brings structure and discipline to the Rangers locker room, and the Blueshirts go on to win the Presidents' Trophy. They sweep their first round opponent, the Washington Capitals, and hold a 2-0 lead over their second round opponent, the Carolina Hurricanes.

Now, the Knicks:

In the 1993-94 season, the Knicks finished as the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Pat Riley, in his third year with the team, was an experienced and accomplished coach with an impressive resume. The Knicks beat their first round opponent, the New Jersey Nets, and took a 2-0 lead over their second round opponent, the Indiana Pacers before eventually losing in the finals.

This season, the Knicks finished, once again, as the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Tom Thibodeeau, now in his fourth year with the team, is an experienced and accomplished coach with an impressive resume. The Knicks beat their first round opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, and hold a 2-0 lead over their second round opponent, the Indiana Pacers.

Like I said, sometimes the stories write themselves. 

Of course, we have no way of knowing how all this ends up. It could be that both teams go on to win titles; it could be that one of them goes on to win; or it could be that maybe both teams do what their histories would suggest: fail.

Between the two teams, the Rangers stand the better chance of at least going to the finals. For one thing, they're healthier than the Knicks; for another, their path out of the Eastern Conference is considerably easier. Let's face it: the Boston Celtics are far and away the best team in the NBA. Even with Julius Randle and a healthy OG Anunoby, the Knicks would have a hard time getting past them in a best of seven series.

Frankly, with the latest injury to Anunoby, the Knicks look more like a MASH unit than a basketball team. The return of Jalen Brunson from a foot injury to start the second half of game two invoked images of Willis Reed's grand entrance at the Garden in game seven of the 1970 finals, which ironically occurred 54 years ago to the day. At the rate this team is losing players, I wouldn't be shocked if we saw Jericho Sims and Deuce McBride start in game three.

One of the advantages of being as old as I am is that I've learned to temper my enthusiasm with a healthy dose of reality. I've had more than my fair share of disappointments involving both teams. While I would dearly love to see Jacob Trouba hoist the Stanley Cup, I'm not about to hold my breath.

I will say this: both teams are in good hands. If they don't win a championship this year it won't be because their respective front offices are incompetent; it'll be because the competition was simply better. The fact is Chris Drury and Leon Rose are both outstanding executives who have patiently and methodically assembled rosters that should contend for years to come. Not since the '90s has that been the case.

If you're looking for something to pin your hopes on, maybe that's it.