LAS VEGAS – The Knicks are saying no to the NBA Cup banner, The Post has learned.
After capturing Adam Silver’s beloved tournament with Tuesday’s 124-113 win over the Spurs, the Knicks decided not to post a title banner because they are “focused on the bigger picture,” according to a league source.
Still, they planned to celebrate the title “in an appropriate manner” before Friday’s home game against the Sixers.
The decision was a surprise after coach Mike Brown hyped up his players in Tuesday’s pregame speech by describing a banner in the MSG rafters as a reward.
But the Knicks also entered this campaign with the “self-focused” goal of winning an NBA championship, not an NBA Cup title, and that became the dominant emotion as the team left Vegas.
They will be the first NBA Cup winner not to hang a banner, with the Bucks and Lakers doing so previously.
This may not be a popular decision in the league office, where Silver has prioritized his tournament as he tries to build interest in the regular season.
But the NBA has no control over banners in arenas.
Before Tuesday’s win, Knicks players were divided on whether to hang one.
Mikal Bridges was against it.
“No, I’m fine,” Bridges said, adding, “I think you’re looking for something even more than that.”
Mitchell Robinson was excited about it.
“Put something up,” Robinson said, “appreciate us for something.”
OG Anunoby and Josh Hart wanted a banner but were lukewarm about the idea.
“They can hang a banner,” said Anunoby, who owns a 2019 NBA championship ring with the Raptors. “But no parade or anything [like that].”
Hart added: “I don’t know. Yeah, why not? Obviously it’s a cup, it’s a title. It’s something you want to win. So – yeah, put up a banner. Obviously there are different standards for those with cups and finals. But whenever you want to go out there, you want to win and compete for a title, that’s what you want to do. And you want to celebrate that.”
It turns out they’ll be celebrating the NBA Cup championship, but without the banner.
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