Trophy case: Knicks’ NBA Finals court makeover revealed

The reveal of the courts also confirmed the long-sought return of the O’Brien Trophy’s likeness on the championship floor’s center. It’s part of the league’s responding to fan requests for de facto decorations in celebration of the season finale.

Finals viewers took issue with recent viewings, where the playing surfaces seemed to lack acknowledgement of the hardwood holiday. Those fans also complained when special court designs were introduced for lesser events such as NBA Cup group play.

Such fans already mourned the loss of the large O’Brien Trophy sticker placed at midcourt during the Finals. It was introduced in 2004 and removed in 2009 when the league claimed the stickers proved slippery for sneakers.

Many noticed that the event name itself was relegated to the baseline instead of the floor in recent editions. Finals broadcaster ABC/ESPN began to appease the requests during last year’s series. The networks superimposed a CGI graphic of the O’Brien Trophy on the floors of Indiana and Oklahoma City.

Ironically, the Finals’ script logo introduced in 1986 last appeared on the floor during the Spurs’ last appearance in 2014. San Antonio earned a five-game victory over the Miami Heat back then. It returns to Frost Bank Arena’s surface for the opening couple before MSG hosts Games 3 and 4.

This will be the sixth NBA Finals that appears on MSG’s marquee. Two championship banners have been raised between 7th and 8th Avenue, the latter coming in 1973.