More revelations are emerging about a number of secret factors that helped former D’Tigers of Nigeria head coach, Mike Brown lead New York Knicks in winning this year’s National Basketball Association (NBA) title, Sports247 reports.
The most stunning of those success secrets indicates that The Knicks’ squad, which includes Great Britain’s Nigerian-born ace, Ogugua ‘OG’ Anunoby, made a huge sacrifice of avoiding intimacy with their partners and wives during their title quest.
With Brown showing the way, as he led by example for Anunoby and other players to follow in the team, The Knicks shocked former champions, San Antonio Spurs with three away victories en route to winning their first NBA championship gong since 1973.
Significantly, it was Anunoby’s tip-in to win Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals that helped the team complete a dramatic comeback from a 29-point deficit, while Jalen Brunson’s 45 points in Game 5 put the icing on their victory cake.
The Knicks team owner, James Dolan has now been cited with speeches that not only served as standard motivational material, but also as key instructional items that guided the players in how to maintain their focus on the trophy.
Dolan reportedly spurred the players by repeatedly telling them they were good enough to win a championship and how important they would become to New York City if that goal was achieved, gaining accolades for the rest of their lives.
The Knicks’ owner’s speech became more interesting when he told the players that sacrifices had to be made during their 10 weeks of a run through the playoffs to the NBA Finals – among which were proper diets, enough sleep and no sex.
“Sacrifice everything you got these next 10 weeks to win that championship. It’s not a long time. I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for 10 weeks, like the Spartans. They denied themselves, so that they can have an edge,” Dolan said.
Brown added, “When he said that, I was like, ‘Mike, hold yourself together. Do not fall out. Focus on his words. Focus on his words. Try to keep this as serious as you can. And let’s see how it plays out with the players.”
