Leon Rose carried no illusions with him on March 2, 2020, the day that officially began the process that, 2,284 days later, will culminate with the Knicks playing in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Rose didn’t try to soft-soap the challenge that lay ahead for him. Not even a little. 

He said so in his first words as Knicks president, written in an email that day to season ticket holders: 

“Nothing about this is easy, or quick, so I ask for your continued patience. What I promise you in return is that I will be honest and forthright. We will develop a plan that makes sense, both to jump-start our short-term growth and ensure our long-term success.” 

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