Spike Lee Says Knicks Are Ready to Break 52-Year Title Drought
Being one of, if not the biggest, Knicks fans, Spike Lee supports his favorite team through thick and thin. However, entering the 2025-26 season, this team finally appears to be a championship contender. Lee revealed his thoughts on the Knicks’ chances of contention.
He was just a child when the Knicks won their last championships in 1970 and 1973. He even has the original championship banner from the 1970 Finals hanging in his house.
Recalling his visits to the old Garden, Lee opens up about believing in the Knicks. Memories of being there at the Garden to watch the Knicks win the 1970 title in game 7 fuel his belief that the team can win again, after 52 years. He wants to be on the street for their next title, celebrating with other fans.
“I’m on board, like my brother from the Bronx, boogie town. This is the year,” Lee said, agreeing with fellow Knicks supporter Fat Joe. He noted how Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum both suffered torn Achilles, weakening the Eastern Conference. This makes it easier for the Knicks to end their 52-year title drought.
Fat Joe explained his reasoning behind believing this could be the championship season. He said, “The bench is stocked up, the starting 5 is amazing.” He did also address the team’s early struggles, saying it’s the consequence of playing with a different system under new head coach Mike Brown.
In particular, Fat Joe pointed out how Karl-Anthony Towns has struggled to play Brown’s style so far. KAT had just 8 points against the Bucks and is averaging 17 ppg to start the season.
If he can’t get his season back on track, it will be tough for the Knicks to contend. He’s an integral part of their offensive identity and will be crucial during the regular season and playoffs. He stepped up in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 24.8 ppg and 12.2 rpg.
This is very much a championship or bust season for the Knicks, as Monica McNutt pointed out. After losing to the Pacers in the ECF, in a series that rekindled Lee’s beef with Reggie Miller, the Knicks have to take the next step.
If the Knicks don’t make a Finals run this season, there could be major changes to this core. Spike and Fat Joe will be cheering them on throughout the season as they navigate Brown’s new system and overcome a tough 2-2 start.
Two Starters Ruled Out For Patriots, Gonzalez Back On Injury Report
The New England Patriots have majorly avoided the injury bug that has plagued so many teams through the first month of the season. This no longer appears to be the case as the injury report published today includes a laundry list of high profile starters like Milton Williams and Christian Gonzalez.
Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed today that a handful of starters were already ruled out for the Pats’ trip to New Orleans. These starters are Jaylinn Hawkins and Keion White. Additionally, linebacker Anfrenee Jennings was ruled out as well leaving the Patriots’ linebacking core heavily hobbled.
Speaking of linebackers, Marte Mapu is not a welcome sight on the injury report. The pass coverage linebacker/safety hybrid who made a massive interception to help seal the deal against the Miami Dolphins Week 2 is now listed as questionable to play against an offense that attempts nearly 40 passes a game.
As far as Christian Gonzalez is concerned, his lingering hamstring injury just will not go away. After two weeks of will he won’t he, he is back on the injury report as of Thursday. Coach Vrabel said today at his press conference that the All-Pro corner would once again be a game time decision come Sunday.
K’Lavon Chaisson Homecoming
K’Lavon Chaisson
, who missed last week’s Sunday Night Football show down, remained a limited participant for the first two practices of the week but appears to be trending towards playing in Louisiana.
The LSU alum will likely enjoy the homecoming as a member of LSU’s 2019 National Championship winning squad.
The 26-year-old former first round pick is also a Houston native. Meaning, if his family hasn’t already moved up north, they will just have to jump on I-10 for an opportunity to see Chaisson back in action in the Big Easy.
Who Will Replace Antonio Gibson?
The Pats still have not announced who they will be activating to replace Antonio Gibson in the running back room. The sixth-year back had his season ended against the Buffalo Bills, suffering a torn ACL. The injury will require surgery.
That leaves just two running backs on roster as of right now. Rhamondre Stevenson is listed as the starter with TreVeyon Henderson serving in relief. In an offense that typically sees a roughly 40/30/30 split when it comes to snap count, this will be a huge shake up.
There are a few eligible backs on the practice squad, namely Terrell Jennings, with the team signing another one on Monday, in Jashaun Corbin.
Regardless, it remains unclear who will step up. Whether that be a back elevated or Sunday, or the rookie Henderson finally seeing the work load fans want from him.
