Long Island Bishop Says Knicks’ Playoff Run Is Proof There Is a God

A Long Island Catholic bishop is using the New York Knicks’ remarkable postseason run as a spiritual teaching tool, drawing connections between basketball, leadership, and faith. Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre said the team’s success has brought New Yorkers together and created a renewed sense of joy around Madison Square Garden. A former college basketball player at Princeton, Barres said his own life and ministry were shaped by the game, including lessons in teamwork, discipline, and unselfishness. He has long linked sports and Catholic faith, especially in youth ministry on Long Island, and says athletics can help people understand virtues such as humility, compassion, and service. He pointed to Knicks star Jalen Brunson as an example of the kind of leadership he hopes Catholics will emulate, praising his passing, court awareness, and willingness to elevate teammates. Barres also noted that the current Knicks roster reflects the importance of chemistry and shared purpose, comparing it to the Holy Spirit’s work in the church. The bishop, who wore the same No. 11 as Brunson, said basketball helped prepare him for his vocation and that his spiritual outlook was shaped in part by watching the Knicks’ championship teams in 1970 and 1973. He has remained outspoken about the connection between sports and faith over the years, even creating priest cards featuring a basketball image and a slogan about holiness and mission. As the Knicks continue their postseason push, Barres said their run has become a topic in diocesan conversations and may inspire fans to bring their team spirit to church. He described the moment as something that is lifting the mood of the region and giving people hope, while also reinforcing his belief that sports can point toward deeper values. Ahead of Game 3 in New York, his message to the team was simple: “God bless you all…Go Knicks.”