"The image appeared on the back page of the New York Post."
A Sweeping Victory: The 1989 Knicks' Iconic Photo
In 1989, the New York Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers in a first-round playoff series. The series victory was notable, but one moment from the celebration became legendary.
After the final game, Knicks player Charles Oakley instructed a ballboy to retrieve a court sweeper. This led to a now-famous team photo of the players holding the tool.
The photo featured Mark Jackson, Sidney Green, Johnny Newman, and Eddie Lee Wilkins alongside Oakley.
This unusual prop was more than a joke. Charles Oakley and Charles Barkley had a rivalry, and Oakley expressed animosity toward Barkley during the series. The "sweeper" was a pointed symbol of the Knicks "sweeping" the 76ers out of the playoffs.