Madison Square Garden in New York City still remains the mecca of arenas in the National Basketball Association.
The Garden is in the spotlight for the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. It was quite a festive atmosphere in New York on Monday night was festive until the visiting San Antonio Spurs put a damper on things by defeating the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3.
The New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden and the NBA Finals are also intertwined with St. Louis area connections over the years. Former Crystal City star Bill Bradley was a starting forward on the Knicks’ two world championship teams in 1970 and 1973.
Another former area star who experienced the electricity of the Garden in the NBA Finals as a member of the Knicks was former Vashon High and Saint Louis University star Anthony Bonner. He was a member of the 1994 Knicks team that lost a highly competitive seven-game series to the Houston Rockets. Bonner spent two seasons with the Knicks, who were led by Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley.
Despite battling a pair of injuries, Bonner saw action in Games 3 and 4 of the Finals in New York. He scored a basket in each of those two games.
“It was an exciting time,” Bonner said. “I had a little anxiety at the time. Most people didn’t know I was dealing with two pulled groin muscles and a strained abdominal muscle. Looking back, I was glad to have the opportunity to be among the Knicks teams that made it to the Finals. Even though we didn’t win the championship, the 1994 team is still remembered for the historical run it made to get there.”
As a member of the New York Knicks alumni, Bonner enjoys seeing the historic Madison Square Garden back in the spotlight for the NBA Finals.
“New York is obviously an electric city, a destination for tourists and cultural experiences, but Madison Square Garden continues to be known as the most famous arena,” Bonner said. “To have the NBA Finals this year against arguably one of the most generational players to ever play the game in Victor Wembanyama is just incredible.”
Bonner is keeping close track of the Finals as the veteran Knicks lead the young and talented Spurs 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Wednesday night. Despite Monday night’s Game 3 loss, he remains confident in the Knicks’ chances of winning their first championship in 53 years.
“I think their chances are great,” he said. I didn’t think last night was any indication that anything has changed. They are on a phenomenal run. They won 13 postseason games in a row. They have come back from double digit deficits and have had five or six players score in double figures consistently.
Game 4 is set for Wednesday night in New York at 7:30 p.m.