In early 2015, the New York Knicks faced a challenging time. On January 5, 2015, they suffered their 12th consecutive defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies, ending the game at 105-83. This loss left them with a record of 5-32, tying for the worst in the league. That night, the Knicks agreed to trade two of their top players, signaling an early end to their season.

Scott Cacciola, then the beat writer for The New York Times covering the Knicks, reported on this trade. He also critiqued the team’s performance in Memphis, describing it as full of “futility” instead of “fluidity.” This assessment marked his last piece on the Knicks for some time.

Just four days later, The Times published an article by Cacciola on the Emporia State (Kan.) Lady Hornets. They were top-ranked in Division II women’s college basketball. This article began a series titled “Not the Knicks,” documenting Cacciola’s journey to find well-played basketball, something he couldn’t find with the Knicks. The team’s poor form forced focus onto the opposing teams whenever they played.

Fast-forward to today, the Knicks stand on the brink of winning a championship. This is a stark contrast to the 2014-15 season, a period that older fans remember vividly during the 53-year title drought.

This week, Times Insider reconnected with the sports journalists from 11 years ago who were behind “Not the Knicks.” Their insights were gathered to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the initiative.

JASON STALLMAN, Sports editor, remarked on the motivation for “Not the Knicks”: “The Knicks were terrible and fans were frustrated. After January 5, the Knicks basically conceded the season, having traded J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. The team president, Phil Jackson, focused on the draft. This highlights ongoing challenges in the N.B.A., where teams sometimes give up on seasons to improve draft picks.”