The New York Knicks winning an NBA Championship after 53 years is a truly, deeply meaningful event—not just for the fans, not just for the team, not just for basketball. It is meaningful in a way that transcends sports, becaue of the way the Knicks play, and the way they win.

The Knicks are led by Team Captain Jalen Brunson—a 6 foot, 2 inch point guard whose endlessly inventive and unpredictable style of play makes the league’s best defenders say “Jalen Brunson, Oh my God!” He is hard to guard, even for the first ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, who is 15 inches taller than him.

Brunson does not win by running over defenders and dunking the ball, or shooting from 2 feet away on every play over defenders that are smaller. He wins by utilizing the entire floor, organizing his team’s offense and the other team’s defense, whether they like it or not, then seizing opportunities no one else seems to be able to see.

The Knicks win as a team. Double-guard Brunson, and you leave some of the best passers, movers, and shooters wide open. Put your best defender on Brunson, and you get one chance to prevent him getting around that defender; Brunson will make 20 to 30 jukes and fakes before finally shooting, sometimes from below his knee. Or, if there is no shot, not even that one, he will pass.

The NBA has been setting up superstars to dominate opponents, to create sizzle reels of glitzy highlights, for decades. The Spurs’ giant Wembanyama, who dribbles like a guard and can score from anywhere, is supposed to be that next invincible star.

The Knicks’ game is the converse of that approach: Hard work, relentless practice, recreating the floor over and over again on every possession, as a team, pulling defenses apart methodically, patiently, and without mercy. They are winning at basketball by playing basketball.

In every series, frustrated defenders appeared intent on injuring Knicks’ starters—a sign they had already given up on being able to compete. This was more true of Wembanyama than of anyone else in this historic run. Big NBA stars need to get used to the fact that Jalen Brunson’s Knicks will play Villanova basketball, and they will not stop, no matter how far they fall behind.

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Knicks came back from 22 down to win. Against the Spurs, they came back from 29 points down to win Game 4, setting up the title game in Game 5. Brunson has won accolades both for his “clutch” performance in those games and for the attitude he has infused in the team, which he described this way: 

You are allowed to think about the worst-case scenario, but you’ve got to get out there and do something about it.

The Knicks’ win is a joyous occasion for many reasons. The two that stand out the most are: 

• Brunson was discounted over and over again, as were the Knicks, and they showed their worth by competing, through hard work, teamwork, and honest, good faith competition. They are underdogs who win with creativity and solidarity. They won the right way. 
• That fact allowed people across the country to root for them, to cheer for New York, to celebrate the spirit of resolve and resilience that means no lead is ever big enough to keep them down. It was an opportunity for millions of people to join together in pure, non-political human joy. 

We needed that; we will need more of it. Recognizing the spirit of the moment, Brunson posted this message: 

Whatever it is in life, believe that you belong. People might disagree but let that strengthen your belief because with hard work, preparation, and the right mindset, anything is possible.

It is like the light side of The Force has won a battle for the soul of the galaxy.