Knicks owner James Dolan had one wild request for the players

For the first time in five decades, the New York Knicks hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

In a redemption story for himself, Mike Brown finished the job Tom Thibodeau started, with Jalen Brunson as the Finals MVP. The Knicks had one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history, losing just three games across all four rounds.

And according to a report by Ian Begley of SNY TV, even team owner James Dolan had to do with that, as he addressed the players before the playoffs with a whole-hearted speech that truly got to them. 

James Dolan's pre-playoff speech really got to Knicks players

"He talked to the players about the opportunity ahead of them, the importance of sacrificing for the next 10 weeks. (He jokingly asked the players to avoid fornication during the postseason)," Begley wrote.

Whether the players listened to that particular request is none of our business, but Dolan reportedly also addressed the importance of candid communication and pushing toward the same goal.

"Dolan also told the players to work through any issues with direct conversations, rather than passive-aggressive comments to the media," added Begley. 

Dolan has never been a fan favorite, and he's had no one but himself to blame for that, but perhaps this might buy him some good faith for the foreseeable future. Whatever the case, one of the most head-scratching championship droughts in sports history has finally ended. The curse is broken, and the basketball mecca can finally celebrate after so many years of tough times and bad beats.