The path cleared for the Knicks, and they took full advantage.

In winning the Eastern Conference (en route to winning the championship), they did not have to beat the No. 1 seeded Pistons — who owned them in the regular season — or the No. 2 seeded Celtics. The Pacers, who eliminated them from the playoffs the past two seasons, were a complete nonfactor. The Knicks were mostly healthy throughout the postseason.

Looking ahead, what are their chances to repeat as champions? What will affect those chances?

Let’s break it all down: