The Jets hope to follow in the Knicks’ footsteps.
The New York Knickerbockers snapped a 53-year losing streak last week to win their first NBA championship since 1973 with a five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks’ run, and the city’s overwhelming response to it, has Gang Green dreaming of celebrating a similar ride one day.
“I think it’s a special thing, to see the energy and how dedicated the fans are to the team and the city,” quarterback Geno Smith said Tuesday. “It gives us a little extra motivation. We’re already motivated, but man, just watching those guys win that championship, it’s got to do something for you as a competitor.”
Jets coach Aaron Glenn will use the Knicks, who made back-to-back NBA playoff appearances, including a miraculous 29-point comeback in Game 4, as an example of how his players can persevere in tough times.
“You’ve probably heard me say this before, but man, the toughness — that’s something these guys showed this whole series, and it’s real,” Glenn said. “That’s something we’re working on, and how you do it, me as a coach, I’ve got to make sure I create it in practice. It’s hard to do it in OTAs because of the physical part of it, but when we get to training camp, you can bet your ass we’re going to work on being competitive, because these Knicks, these guys showed it.”