Sports Illustrated Presents – NBA Champions 2026
Summary
Chris Mannix anchors Sports Illustrated Presents' NBA Champions 2026 commemorative issue, chronicling the New York Knicks' first title in 53 years — a 4-1 Finals win over the San Antonio Spurs capped by Jalen Brunson's 45-point Game 5 clincher. The 78-page special traces the entire season from Leon Rose's team-building through each playoff round.
Mannix's "Team Building" feature on Leon Rose profiles the Knicks president who has never held a press conference since taking the job in 2020. The former agent turned executive built the champion roster through a series of bold trades — acquiring Josh Hart in February 2023, Karl-Anthony Towns in October 2024, and signing Jalen Brunson to a four-year, USD 104 million contract in 2022. The playoff section covers every round: a 2-1 comeback against Atlanta, a sweep of Philadelphia, a tone-setting Game 1 rally against Cleveland, and the Finals where fourth-quarter surges powered New York past Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Player profiles cover the entire roster — Mitchell Robinson's offensive-rebounding dominance, Landry Shamet's 39.2% three-point shooting, OG Anunoby's All-Defense season, Josh Hart's career-best 41.3% from three. Frank Deford's archival piece on Willis Reed's Game 7 courage in 1970 anchors the history section.
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Content Guide
▸ The Team
p.2 · A City United
The Big Apple came together for its first NBA title in 53 years. Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Swift courtside, Patrick Ewing congratulating Jeremy Sochan, and West Village watch parties projected onto building walls.
p.8 · Season in Pictures
The players thrived as they pursued a common goal. Full roster profiles with key stats: Robinson (8.8 rebounds per game, 4.2 offensive), Shamet (39.2% from three), Brunson (26.0 points, 6.8 assists), Anunoby (All-Defense), Towns (11.9 rebounds, All-Star), and Hart (41.3% from three).
p.18 · Team Building
Chris Mannix on Leon Rose — the former agent who never holds press conferences. From representing LeBron James to constructing a champion, Rose's quiet approach delivered what Dolan could not buy.
▸ The Playoffs
p.24 · First Round
Knicks rallied from a 2-1 series deficit against Atlanta. The turning point that ended 53 years of waiting.
p.30 · Conference Semifinals
Philadelphia looked overmatched and was swept away. Bridges clamped Maxey, Hart outplayed his matchup every night.
p.36 · Conference Finals
Game 1 comeback set the tone against Cleveland. The Cavaliers never recovered from the first punch.
p.42 · NBA Finals
Fourth-quarter surges powered New York over San Antonio. Brunson's 45 in Game 5 was the signature performance of his career.
▸ The History
p.60 · 1970 Title
Frank Deford on Willis Reed's Game 7 courage against the Lakers. The standard every Knicks championship is measured against.
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Editor's Take
This is how a championship commemorative should work: full team coverage, intelligent front-office analysis, and historical context that does not overwhelm the present. Mannix's Rose profile is the best piece — the portrait of a power broker who does his job in silence is genuinely revealing. The player profiles on pages 8-17 give every rotation player a moment, avoiding the common trap of only covering stars. Frank Deford's archival 1970 piece is a smart addition that connects two titles 53 years apart. The weakness is the design: the playoff-section spreads are heavy on action photos and light on tactical analysis — the reader never learns how Knicks' defense actually slowed Wembanyama. Best for: Knicks fans who want a permanent record of the season and basketball readers interested in how a roster is built.
Strengths
• Mannix's Rose profile is genuinely sourced and fresh
• Every rotation player gets a dedicated profile
• Deford archival piece provides real historical weight
Weaknesses
• Playoff spreads lack tactical analysis
• Wembanyama matchup is under-explored
Verdict: Essential — The definitive record of the Knicks' 2026 title, built around a front-office feature that goes deeper than expected.
