James Dolan Reflects on a Historic Knicks Victory

The last seven seconds of the game were probably the toughest for James Dolan. Both the Spurs and Knicks had missed their free throws, and as local fans exited, the atmosphere at Frostbank Center shifted dramatically. What once felt like a 60-40 split in favor of the Spurs became an overwhelming 100% support for the Knicks.

And yes, there was yet another missed free throw.

“The game was still up in the air until the final moments,” Dolan shared.

As those last seven seconds ticked away, the Knicks were clinging to a 94-90 lead. It was almost midnight, and the impending championship felt surreal to Dolan. He struggled to grasp the reality right in front of him. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it either—not one bit.

It was a sentiment shared by countless fellow Knicks supporters.

“It felt like driving on a snowy day,” Dolan remarked. “You start to skid, knowing a crash is inevitable, but there’s no way to steer clear. You’re just suspended in that moment, waiting for the worst. It was like I was outside of my body, watching it all unfold.”

And it did hit him — hard.

“Oh my god, This actually happened!“

This unexpected joy is set to continue on Thursday as Dolan and his family join the Knicks parade through the Canyon of Heroes. He’ll take on the role of “Grandfather of the Year” with all six of his grandchildren participating in the celebrations.

“It’s just for one day, though,” he joked.

This victory could mean far more than a fleeting joy. Dolan could finally embrace something former Mets announcer Bob Murphy once said about baseball—it applies to basketball too. The game illustrates its points vividly, much like owners who’ve faced their share of criticism over the years. (I’ll admit, I’ve contributed to that noise.)

During a 30-minute Zoom call with the Post, Dolan seemed genuinely transformed. For so long, he’d been captured in photographs looking less than thrilled. But now? He resembled an owner beaming with pride after winning an NBA championship.

“How do you know?” he asked with that deep grin. “Have you ever seen this before?”

Indeed, it had finally happened. I was reminded of a moment from 14 years back, during another era of Knicks basketball, when Dolan discussed the intense backlash he faced from fans. He claimed no other owner had endured such discontent.

“With all due respect,” I responded. “Steinbrenner.”

“Steinbrenner? When he passed, it felt like burying royalty!” Dolan laughed.

True, Steinbrenner faced fierce criticism, but he also saw the Yankees rise to glory over the years. Dolan added, “Maybe they’ll still appreciate me after I’m gone!”

That was interesting, for sure. But the crux of the matter is clear. Dolan has emulated Steinbrenner’s strategies, finally grasping the essence of ownership at 71—victory is an elixir that can wash away years of disappointment and disagreements. Fans often turn their attention elsewhere during good times, whether it’s to Woody Johnson, Steve Cohen, or others. “That’s how I prefer it,” he said contentedly.

Dolan is acutely aware of past missteps throughout his 27 years in the role. Mentioning forgotten player names like Kelvin Cato and Noah Vonleh serves as a reminder of ownership challenges. When you hold the title of owner, every bad draft and trade sticks with you. Each loss feels like a hit to your pride.

“Being the owner of the Knicks has been quite an education,” he stated.

His journey involved searching for the right leadership, which eventually led him to Leon Rose. After seven years, it seems that was the right decision.

“My ideal management style is straightforward: present a plan, execute it, and I’ll back you,” he explained. “It’s the same for my other ventures. If you step off the path, we regroup. Leon tells me what he intends to do beforehand, and I ask how I can assist. You devise the strategy; I provide the resources.”

He acknowledged the shifts in strategy and circumstances. “For the most part, I often found myself in the middle,” he said regarding various trades. Yet, he emphasized trust in his General Manager. That shift has initiated substantial changes for both the Knicks and for Dolan himself.

“Did I make mistakes? Absolutely,” he admitted. “Maybe I trusted the wrong people? When you step into this role as a newcomer, you think you’ve got it all figured out—trust me, you don’t. All the while, media scrutiny can make you feel like you’re being tossed around like a pinball.”

He paused.

“What’s crucial is learning. After 25 years, I genuinely feel like I may have gleaned something,” he reflected.

While Rose concentrated on the team’s foundation, Dolan busied himself with the Sphere—an attraction in Las Vegas that’s become a hot spot. Yet, he regularly communicated with Rose. A year ago, they made the contentious decision to replace Tom Thibodeau, which sparked various opinions.

“We had great affection for him. I hold him in high regard,” Dolan revealed. “But honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up coaching a championship team, because that’s certainly a path we could pursue too.”

One somewhat overlooked aspect from last Saturday’s game was the lack of injuries reported for the Knicks in their 101st outing this season. Dolan feels a personal pride in this achievement, especially since his son Quentin oversees health protocols for the team.

Brown, the coach, continually emphasized health in his discussions throughout summer interviews—a practice that yielded positive results this season.

“Everyone was in peak condition leading into the finals,” he said. “It was a meticulous and well-monitored approach. Last year, we faced considerable injuries during the playoffs, partly due to our old-school methods for player interactions. I think that’s been a significant difference.”

It’s hard to argue otherwise. Just as Dolan pointed out 13 years ago, winning is what brings fulfillment to an owner. If any proof is needed, one could refer to recent footage of him motivating his team ahead of the playoffs. Had the Knicks lost, that segment likely would’ve vanished without a trace. But they triumphed.

“I wanted to ensure I didn’t disrupt their focus,” Dolan mentioned. “It felt risky to share my story, but I thought it was worth it. We rarely get this close. Let’s start now, and you’ll see the results.”

After the game this Saturday, there he was on stage in a bright orange blazer, pumping his fist and exclaiming, “Sorry this took so long!” — Suddenly, James L. Dolan sounded just like any other enthusiastic Knicks fan. When fans voiced their discontent—previously directed at Dolan—it often boiled down to one sentiment: “You’re not as invested as we are!”

For the remainder of his tenure, it seems Dolan will no longer have to face that backlash.