The Knicks team Riley inherited was a far cry from the high-flying Lakers he had left behind. Led by center Patrick Ewing, the Knicks were a team built on toughness and defense. Riley adapted his coaching style to fit his new personnel, crafting a hard-nosed, physical brand of basketball that came to define the NBA in the early to mid-1990s.
Under Riley, the Knicks became known for their suffocating defense and bruising style of play. He implemented a system that emphasized physical play, rebounding, and slowing down the pace of the game. This approach was epitomized by players like Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, and John Starks, who embodied the gritty, never-say-die attitude that Riley instilled in the team.