There’s nothing easy about the Knicks’ repeat challenge — here’s why they can pull it off

There have been no declarations, like the one Pat Riley made at the celebration that followed the parade in downtown Los Angeles after his Lakers won the 1987 NBA championship. That day he grabbed a microphone and declared: “Next year, we’re going to win it again.”

Not every Laker was thrilled with Riley’s boast, but those Lakers were good enough that they pulled off the repeat a year later — barely — by beating the Pistons in seven. At the ’88 parade, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playfully stuffed a towel in Riley’s mouth before he could make a similar guarantee — although Riles, being Riles, did officially trademark the term “three-peat,” and has happily donated the resulting proceeds when the Bulls and Yankees actually pulled it off.

But these Knicks are not those Lakers. Mike Brown and his quiet confidence will never be confused for Riley at his apex, when he merrily wore his unmatched self-assurance as a part of his game-day attire, alongside the hair mousse and the wide-lapeled Armani suits.

It is part of why the Knicks retain the most lovable part of their championship armor, a humility born out of past collective disappointments and past individual disrespect. It is probably why you don’t hear a lot of talk about the Knicks becoming the first NBA team since the 2017-18 Warriors to double up their championship run and go back-to-back.