James Dolan delivered a speech before the playoffs asking the Knicks to gain an edge by denying themselves sex
New York Knicks owner James Dolan wanted his team to make it to the play-offs. He believed that the team was one that could end the championship drought, and he was right.
How do you lock in a run at an NBA Championship? You limit distractions and do whatever it takes to gain the upper hand. Like making sacrifices by whatever means necessary and asking those around you to do the same.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy and Knicks owner James Dolan after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Before the Knicks’ play-off race, Dolan sat down with his team and made a speech that will go down in history. A speech in which he asks the players to be like Spartans and deprive themselves of sex in order to gain this advantage.
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“I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for the next 10 weeks. You don’t have to give up sex for the next 10 weeks, but like the Spartans. Do you know what Spartans are? They denied themselves to get an advantage. Take the advantage.” Dolan told the team: I returned on April 3.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE)
“Go home, talk to your partners. Don’t tell them you won’t have sex, and don’t tell them it was my idea. But let them know what it’s going to be like, what your commitment is going to be like.”
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Dolan’s sacrifice message was received and the Knicks took care of business
This wasn’t a sex ban. It was a reminder that advancing through the playoffs is no easy task and will require incredible focus and an edge that can only come from not having enough sex.
OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
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Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart shared a clip of the conversation on their podcast.The Roommates Show” conversation and other players confirm this sacrifices were made during their historic run.
While it wasn’t as sensational as the 10-week sex ban, it was a reminder before the play-offs of what it means to be a champion and what it takes to get there. Who knew James Dolan had this kind of leadership?
