On the precipice of a title, these Knicks are a proud NBA contradiction

With every previous front-office incarnation, the Knicks were star chasers.

They promised hope through the biggest names possible, the larger-than-life figures who were supposedly outfitted for the global media capital.

They chased LeBron James. Kevin Durant. Zion Williamson. They traded a developing roster for Carmelo Anthony, a remarkable offensive talent but a failure of his own shortcomings and a dysfunctional environment at 4 Penn Plaza.

They were the Lakers in theory but the total opposite in practice — unable to capitalize on the appeal of the biggest of markets, the most dedicated fanbase in the NBA and an iconic arena.