Joe Buck Shares Insights with Mike Breen Ahead of Knicks NBA Finals Call

Joe Buck, known for his extensive experience in sports broadcasting, has expressed regret over his own call of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2006 World Series victory. He aimed to prevent Mike Breen from facing a similar situation as he prepared to announce a historic moment for the New York Knicks.

Breen, who has been calling Knicks games for over 30 years and serving as their lead commentator since 1997, has lent his voice to 21 consecutive NBA Finals for ESPN and ABC since June 2006. For much of that time, the prospect of the Knicks reaching the championship seemed like a distant dream. However, the team’s fortunes shifted with Leon Rose’s strategic focus on building around star player Jalen Brunson.

This season, as the Knicks found themselves competing in the NBA Finals, Breen had the rare chance to narrate a victory for his team on a national platform. As the Knicks triumphed over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Breen exclaimed, “It’s over! It’s over! Knick fans, this is not a dream! Your long, long wait has ended! Go ahead and cry! After 53 years, the Knicks are finally NBA champions once again!”

While some may debate the quality of his championship call, it resonated deeply with Knicks supporters. According to Andrew Marchand from The Athletic, Buck’s insights played a significant role in shaping Breen’s approach. Buck, a lifelong Cardinals fan who took over his father’s commentary role, reflected on his own experience of calling the Cardinals’ 2006 championship with caution due to concerns over perceived bias.

In reaching out to Breen, Buck encouraged him to fully embrace the moment, stating, “Let it rip and do the New York fans justice, too. This is their moment, as well. So don’t be so ‘unbiased’ that you don’t get excited for the Knicks.” Breen acknowledged the value of Buck’s advice, ultimately delivering a call that celebrated the Knicks’ first championship in over 50 years without hesitation about favoritism.