At the Knicks’ practice facility, Mike Brown was seated next to James Dolan, with the team gathered in front of them.
Before the critical matchup on April 3, Dolan gave an emotional 15-minute speech on video, urging his players to commit wholly over the upcoming ten weeks of playoffs. The goal? To secure a championship that had eluded them for decades—53 years to be precise. Winning would mean forever being champions of New York, with rings to symbolize their triumph.
Just ten weeks stood between them and potential glory.
Ten weeks that could alter their lives and the lives of their families for good.
The moment was alive with possibility.
Dolan clearly believed in them.
“Winning an NBA championship is life-changing,” he told the players. “It’s an achievement you’ll carry for life. Even if you fall short, it will always be on your mind.”
Victory would place them alongside the legendary Knicks squads of 1970 and 1973.
“You’ll be a permanent part of New York City,” Dolan continued. “No matter where life leads you, even if you become President, you’ll always be introduced as ‘NBA Champion, 2026.’ That’s what’s on the line.”
So, it was time to take charge.
“Sacrifice is crucial,” Dolan emphasized. “If you want this badly enough, that’s what it’s going to take.”
“It’s just ten weeks—short in the grand scheme. Commit everything you have during this time to claim that championship.”
“I have faith in you… you can do this. I think you already know that winning is possible.”
Dolan urged them to put aside distractions and unite more closely as a team.
“What matters in these next ten weeks isn’t what you say in interviews, but how the public perceives you,” he remarked.
He also had a few personal suggestions:
“I must practice harder. Pay attention to what I eat. Ensure I get proper rest. Be prepared for every game… It all starts now, not just when the playoffs begin!”
In an attempt at humor—or perhaps something else—he added, “What if you tried giving up sex for these ten weeks? Not mandatory, of course, but Spartans did something similar, right? They denied themselves to gain an edge. Consider that.”
“Just don’t go home and declare you’re doing this because of me. Explain what you need to commit to, and that your loved ones may need to adjust too. Concerns at home can’t distract you when you’re on the court. It’s about how we play together, not just who we face.”
“I believe in this team. The potential is there.”
The specifics about how many players adhered to these radical suggestions weren’t verified, but throughout those electrifying ten weeks, the Knicks appeared to play with heightened focus.
“We’re really serious as we head into the playoffs,” Brown shared. “When Dolan spoke, I thought, ‘Stay strong, Mike. Focus on his message. Let’s see how it impacts the team.’
“But, we didn’t manage it,” he chuckled.
Dolan kept pushing:
“Winning means a ring for us. And if we all get rings, those close to you will too. Their support is just as crucial.”
He underscored starting strong and improving their defensive strategies. “For the next ten days, concentrate on these areas—they’re crucial if we want to advance,” Dolan stressed.
“We have to try things that are new.”
“Just ten weeks, fellas. Give it your all.”
“Leave nothing behind. You have to keep pushing.”
“Try, commit, and good luck.”
Applause broke out in the room.
“His speech was powerful and meaningful,” Brown recalled. “It really resonated—reinforcing what we’ve said from day one, right up until training camp. Hearing it from our owner added a realness and commitment nobody could overlook.”
“They took it to heart. Our gear said ‘2026 playoffs,’ and the back had ’10 weeks.’ In the locker room, there were constant reminders. Players would say, ‘Only three weeks left; let’s give it our all for that time.’
“You can frame this as a ten-week chapter in your life… ten weeks to reach your peak.”
Dolan praised Brown and Rose’s collaborative spirit as something that had been lacking previously, which brought Brown encouragement.
“He fully supports me; we’re on the same page,” Brown noted. “In a business like ours, differing views can tear teams apart. His words solidified that our connection, both with each other and with the players, is strong.”
Brown was set to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon.
A parade was planned for Thursday.
“Everywhere you go, people are embracing you, sharing how long they’ve waited for a moment like this,” Brown mentioned. ” You hear from older fans who say, ‘This happened to me when I was 20.’ Young kids don’t grasp what 54 years means, but you can see the passion and deep-rooted feelings about their team not winning for so long.”
Dolan’s “10 Weeks To Glory” speech was transformational.
