The Knicks' Wild Finals Run Made This Preseason Prediction Look Absolutely Bonkers

Alright, Seattle, I know our hearts bleed green and blue, focused on the Mariners' early season grind and the Seahawks squad getting ready for another Lumen Field assault. But even a die-hard fan has to peek at the NBA Finals sometimes. And holy cow, the New York Knicks are in it! Seriously in it, up 3-1 on the San Antonio Spurs and staring down Game 5. It’s a huge moment, and honestly, it makes you think back to what folks were saying about this team before the season even kicked off. Those "bold predictions" dropped months ago? Man, they look pretty wild now, don’t they? The game always finds a way to surprise us.

The Regular Season Crystal Ball That Cracked

Before the 2025-26 NBA season even tipped off, analysts were throwing out "bold but realistic" takes for all 30 teams. Zach Kram, an ESPN national NBA writer who’s also covered MLB for The Ringer, was one of them. He even gave a nod to David Schoenfield's MLB work for inspiration. (You know, we appreciate a good baseball reference around here.) But the prediction that truly jumps out right now, from mid-June during the NBA Finals? His big call for the New York Knicks: that they’d "finish third in the East in the regular season." Third. That was it. Simple, direct, and at the time, it certainly sounded bold enough to grab attention.

Finals Bound and Blowing Every Mind

Now, as this 2025-26 season winds down and everyone’s already thinking offseason, we’re all glued to the Knicks duking it out in the actual Finals. Third in the East for the regular season, huh? That prediction feels a universe away from where this team actually ended up, doesn't it? Kram admitted some of his preseason calls looked "prescient and smart," while "others... less so." Given they're battling for the whole championship, leading the Spurs 3-1 and heading into Game 5, it's hard not to put that Knicks prediction squarely into the "less so" category. Whether they hit that exact third-place mark or blew past it, the fact that we're talking about them in the championship series, this deep into June, is the real story! It just goes to show how much can change, how a team can gel, and how quickly those "bold predictions" can look quaint in hindsight.

What This Means for Next Season's Guesses

It's a stark reminder that even the smartest analysts can only guess so much when staring at a blank preseason slate. These Knicks are proving that what looks "bold" in October can be just the beginning of something way bigger than anyone imagined. Zach Kram noted this exercise is about "spinning it forward to forecast how these 2025-26 outcomes might influence the 2026-27 season to come." And for the Knicks, this incredible Finals run, regardless of the Game 5 result, is going to change how people view them heading into next year. So, as they get ready for Game 5, with a chance to close out the Spurs and claim the title, you gotta wonder: What's the next prediction we'll be laughing about by this time next year? Here's to hoping our Emerald City teams give us this kind of electrifying story soon!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.