Sports writers debated whether it's a triumph for 1) Knicks guard Allan Houston, a previous underachiever who scored 32 points in the decisive game; 2) Coach Jeff Van Gundy, who had nearly been fired earlier in the season; or 3) New York, whose prestige was already bolstered by cleaner streets and lower crime.
Coach Jeff Van Gundy managed to triumph despite previously coming close to losing his job.
Coach Jeff Van Gundy didn't manage to triumph despite previously coming close to losing his job.