Knicks' 2026 NBA Finals run is inspiring the Jets to be better

New York City isn't just the world's biggest city, but it's arguably the capital of the sports world. With over a dozen professional teams, it's hard to capture the spotlight the way the New York Knicks have over the last few weeks.

Anyone who considers themselves a New Yorker has been glued to their TV screens for the Knicks' run to the NBA Finals, winning 11 straight games en route to their first Eastern Conference title since 1999.

The fan reaction to the success has been palpable, and the city is buzzing. It makes fans of other teams who've gone through some tough times think about what it would be like to make a return to prominence like the Knicks have.

The New York Jets are no different.

Jets should take inspiration from the Knicks' playoff run

Star wide receiver Garrett Wilson was asked at his media availability on Thursday about the Knicks and what it's like seeing a New York team receive such incredible support after almost two decades of failures.

"It's cool to see, and I'm glad I'm up here for it. I'm rooting the Knicks on like hell. And yeah, man, you know, that gives us a taste of what it might look like when we figure this thing out, which, you know, we're excited for the opportunity. I know Jets fans are frothing at the mouth to cheer like that. I want to give it to them."

Garrett Wilson

Similar to the Knicks, the Jets haven't tasted a championship in over 50 years. The Jets' lone Super Bowl appearance and championship was in 1969, while the Knicks won their only NBA titles in 1970 and 1973.

One day, if the Jets are ever going to get back to that stage, the outcry of support the Knicks are receiving now will surely be similar to what Gang Green would get.

But it starts with current head coach Aaron Glenn, and whether or not he has what it takes to turn a struggling ship around. Glenn recognized that what makes the Knicks great is their leaders, and that's something he wants out of his own players.

"I'll tell you what, that is a gritty, gritty team, and it's hard to be a gritty team without gritty players, and it all starts with the point guard (Jalen Brunson). And I mean, you could tell that the leadership, the fight, everybody follows that. And it's easy to follow that, and he's a guy, and I continue to say this, that leadership really comes down to one word, and that's influence."

Aaron Glenn

The Jets need their own Jalen Brunson to help spark a turnaround in New York, and it remains to be seen if that player is currently on their roster.

Now, basketball and football are two different sports. It's a lot easier for one guy among five to make an impact on the hardwood than it is for one football player among 11 to put the team on his back, but it's not impossible.

Maybe one of these days the Jets will see themselves back at the top of their conference like the Knicks have in recent years, and maybe they'll get some inspiration from the current run these Knicks are on.

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