It has been nearly a decade since an NBA team repeated as NBA champions.
The Golden State Warriors were the last team to do so, as they raised the Larry O’Brien trophy following both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns. Since then, a different team has won the title eight years in a row with the New York Knicks currently serving as the reigning champs.
Despite the unparalleled parity that we’ve seen in the league over the past decade, Knicks star guard and reining Finals MVP Jalen Brunson is confident in his team’s ability to win it all again next year.
Jalen Brunson Expresses Confidence in Knicks’ Ability to Repeat as NBA Champions
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy and Jose Alvarado #5 after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Sitting on stage alongside Knicks teammates, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart during the “Kings of NY: Championship Knicks” panel hosted by Taylor Rooks during Fanatics Fest, Brunson expressed supreme confidence in New York’s chances of repeating.
“I have the utmost confidence in us night in and night out just because of the way we’ve been able to work through these couple of years,” Brunson said. “If we have that same, if not better, work ethic and mindset, obviously, I like our chances. But we gotta quickly turn the page and forget about Mr. Larry [O’Brien Trophy] over there at some point.”
You have to appreciate Brunson’s confidence in his team, and since the Knicks will be running it back with largely the same roster, he has a reason to be confident.
Knicks Were Able to Keep Their Championship Team Largely in Tact
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Oftentimes, title teams are forced to lose several key contributors after winning it all. But, that isn’t the case for the Knicks. Outside of Mitchell Robinson, who signed with the rival Boston Celtics in free agency, the Knicks will be bringing back their whole championship core.
All five starters remain in place for New York and the Knicks were even able to retain key role players like Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson. They also signed veteran big man Andre Drummond to fill the void left by Robinson.
So with the band remaining largely in tact, it’s easy to understand why Brunson feels bullish about New York’s chances of repeating.
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