A 2-4 start was probably not what Knicks fans envisioned coming off a championship season. After finally reaching the mountaintop, New York entered the 2026-27 campaign expecting to defend its title and become the NBA’s next dynasty.
Instead, the Knicks have stumbled out of the gate, raising questions about whether this team can find the consistency necessary to compete for another championship.
But before Knicks fans start pressing the panic button, remember this: a slow start doesn’t necessarily mean a disappointing finish. NBA history has shown that even championship-caliber teams can struggle early in the season and still find their way to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The question is whether New York can follow a similar path.
1991 Chicago Bulls
If the Knicks want a reason to stay optimistic, they don’t have to look much further than Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
During the 1990-91 season, the Bulls opened their championship campaign with three consecutive losses. Despite the disappointing start, Chicago eventually turned things around, finishing 61-21 and winning its first NBA championship of the Jordan era.
Led by Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, the Bulls developed into one of the league’s most dominant teams. They defeated the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals before taking down Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to capture the title.
Chicago remains the only team in NBA history to begin a season 0-3 and go on to win the championship that same year.
The comparison is particularly interesting for New York because the Knicks also opened their season with three consecutive losses before picking up their first two victories.
Of course, the Bulls eventually won 61 games, something the Knicks will have to work toward if they hope to follow a similar path.
2021 Milwaukee Bucks
Another example comes from the 2020-21 Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee opened its championship season with a 3-3 record through its first six games, putting it in almost the exact same position as New York.
The Bucks eventually found their rhythm behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. They finished the shortened regular season with a 46-26 record, good for third in the Eastern Conference.
Their postseason journey was even more impressive.
After sweeping the Miami Heat in the first round, Milwaukee survived a seven-game series against the Brooklyn Nets and defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Bucks then faced the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals, overcoming a 0-2 series deficit to win four consecutive games and capture their first championship in 50 years.
Milwaukee’s turnaround demonstrates that a .500 record after six games doesn’t necessarily indicate what a team’s ceiling will look like by the end of the season.
2006 Miami Heat
Perhaps the most interesting example of a championship team overcoming adversity comes from the 2005-06 Miami Heat.
Miami entered the season with championship expectations after acquiring veterans Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and James Posey to complement Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade.
However, things weren’t going according to plan.
The Heat started the season 11-10 before head coach Stan Van Gundy resigned in December, citing his desire to spend more time with his family. Team president Pat Riley returned to the sidelines and took over as head coach.
Under Riley, Miami went 41-20 over the rest of the regular season, finishing 52-30 overall and second in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat carried that momentum into the postseason, defeating the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals before overcoming a 2-0 deficit against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Wade averaged 35 points per game in the Finals and earned Finals MVP honors, leading Miami to the first championship in franchise history.
While the Knicks aren’t facing the same coaching situation, Miami’s season reminds us that teams can look drastically different as the year progresses.
What Does This Mean for the Knicks?
While these championship teams provide some optimism, New York still has plenty of work to do.
Through six games, the Knicks are averaging 107 points per game, ranking 28th in the NBA. Their offensive rating of 109.3 ranks 24th, while their defensive rating of 110.0 ranks 10th.
The offensive struggles have been particularly concerning. New York has struggled to find consistent shooting and offensive rhythm, putting additional pressure on Jalen Brunson and the rest of the starting lineup to generate points.
However, there have been some encouraging signs. After opening the season with three straight losses, the Knicks responded with back-to-back wins over the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls before dropping their most recent game to Philadelphia.
The season is still in its infancy, and six games are hardly enough to determine whether a team can defend its championship.
However, the Knicks cannot rely on history alone to turn things around. They will need better offensive execution, more consistent contributions from their supporting cast and improved performances from their starting lineup.
The 1991 Bulls, 2021 Bucks and 2006 Heat all proved that early-season struggles don’t have to define a championship campaign.
For New York, the challenge now is to make sure its 2-4 start becomes nothing more than an early-season bump in the road, not a sign of what’s to come.
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