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How the Knicks Reached the NBA Finals: An Unprecedented Moment for Mike Breen After 21 Years

Mike Breen, the iconic voice of the Knicks on ABC, is about to experience an absolute first by calling New York in the NBA Finals against the Spurs — a moment he himself describes as a "bucket list thing" after more than three decades alongside the franchise.
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How the Knicks Reached the NBA Finals: An Unprecedented Moment for Mike Breen After 21 Years
Photo Credit : © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Mike Breen has seen his share of NBA Finals. Twenty-one of them, to be precise. But the one tipping off this Wednesday, June 3 in San Antonio has a special flavor for the star commentator of ABC and ESPN: for the first time since he has been covering the Knicks on television, he will be calling them in the Finals.

« It’s a bucket list thing, » Breen shared. « Twenty-one Finals is impossible for me to fathom, and I always thought it would be pretty cool to see the Knicks there. Seeing what this team has done for the fans of New York — I’ve lived my whole life in New York — it has really energized the city like I’ve never seen before. »

Unshakeable Neutrality, Even for His Hometown

A native of Yonkers, just north of the Bronx, Breen was 9 years old when the Knicks won their first title in 1970. He called the 1994 Finals series against the Rockets on the radio for WFAN. In 1999, during the Knicks‘ last appearance at this stage — also against the Spurs — it was Marv Albert who held the microphone in his place.

But there is no question of letting his heart get in the way of the microphone. Breen will be joined by Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler for this series, and his partners speak to his professionalism. « Watching him call it completely neutrally and celebrate both teams is the reason I have enormous respect for him, » Jefferson said.

Breen himself anticipates accusations of bias, a well-worn tradition according to him: « Every year, even when the Knicks aren’t in it, if it’s Celtics–Lakers, the Lakers fans think we’re rooting for the Celtics and vice versa. And I love basketball so much that when De’Aaron Fox, Wemby or Stephon Castle make a spectacular play, I’m going to get excited, because I love seeing great basketball. »

He also cites the example of Marv Albert, who called the 1994 Finals on NBC while also being the voice of the Knicks: « He called the Finals like any other team. And that’s the way you have to approach it. »

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What a Title Would Mean for New York

The Knicks have not been champions since 1973. Breen understands the weight of that wait for generations of fans. « It could be one of the greatest sporting moments in New York history if they win, given what the fan base has been through and their loyalty to the team, » he said.

That said, the commentator refuses to get too carried away with his emotions before the time comes. « The number one priority for me is that I have a job to do, » he insists. One thing is certain: if New York lifts the trophy, Breen predicts « one of the greatest reactions of all time in terms of emotion. There will be a lot of tears. »

The NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs tip off in the early hours of Thursday morning at 2:30 AM French time.

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Nicolas Flamecourt
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
How the Knicks Reached the NBA Finals: An Unprecedented Moment for Mike Breen After 21 Years