Rick Pitino Clearly States His Opinion on the Knicks
For some, Rick Pitino is regarded as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time. His current tenure with St. John's Red Storm only reinforces that statement. However, very few remember his time with the New York Knicks. As the NBA team reached the Finals, Pitino had a message to share.
The legendary coach has been in the game for over 50 years. While he spent most of his career in NCAA college basketball, Pitino has coached only two NBA teams. He worked as an assistant for the Knicks from 1983 to 1985 before becoming the head coach in 1987. Pitino then left for Kentucky in 1989 before joining the Boston Celtics in 1997.
However, most, including Pitino himself, would rather remember his time in New York than Boston. Even years after his departure, the coach had positive things to say after the team's Eastern Conference win. "In 1989, I thought we had a chance to win the NBA championship after going 4-0 vs the Bad Boys. MJ put an end to that dream," Pitino wrote on X.
In 1989, I thought we had a chance to win the NBA championship after going 4-0 vs the Bad Boys. MJ put an end to that dream. Then in 1999 the Knicks caught lightning in a bottle but lost to the Spurs. I was a Jr at UMass when the last championship was won. This team gets it done.…
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) May 26, 2026
This refers to the time when the Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons throughout the 1988–89 regular season under his coaching. While he expected New York to win the NBA Championship, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls defeated them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, ending their season. The Pistons eventually went on to win the title that year.
Pitino continued in his post by writing, "Then in 1999 the Knicks caught lightning in a bottle but lost to the Spurs. I was a Jr at UMass when the last championship was won." New York are set to compete in their first NBA Finals since 1999, when they lost to the San Antonio Spurs. Their last championship came in 1973, when Pitino was still a junior at his alma mater, UMass.
He ended by expressing his support for the current roster. Pitino wrote, "This team gets it done. It's time. Deep & talented group with a great attitude. The Moët is on ice. Go NY, Go NY, Go." The Knicks have won their last 11 games in the playoffs.
Born and raised in the Big Apple, the 73-year-old has strong roots in the city and its teams. He currently coaches New York-based St. John's and also frequently plays Big East games at Madison Square Garden. Now, as the Knicks compete in the final stage for their first championship in 53 years, Pitino is openly backing his former team.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 9:48 AM.