NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The New York Knicks will enter the 2021-22 NBA season with tons of questions after an eye-opening 2020-21 campaign. The Knicks managed to claw their way into the playoffs with the surprise play of All-Star Julius Randle and the leadership of Derrick Rose. But what’s in store for this season?
The Knicks have a much-improved roster with the additions of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. And then you add in the suspected growth of defensive ace Mitchell Robinson in the paint, and the Knicks are quietly building a winner in the city that never sleeps. But is it enough?
Here are 3 questions for the New York Knicks heading into the 2021-22 NBA season.
Is Kemba Walker The Missing Piece
Last season, the New York Knicks faltered much of the season thanks in part to the lack of a leader on the offensive side of the floor. Yes, Derrick Rose was a blessing off the bench and Julius Randle made the All-Star team but the Knicks’ lack of a quality starter at the lead guard position hurt them in the long run.
This offseason, the Knicks grabbed the Bronx-born Kemba Walker in hopes that he could be that missing piece to a deep playoff run. Even with the success Rose had last season, it’s understood that Walker is the starter. If Walker can find his All-Star form from two seasons ago, the Knicks will be fun to watch.
Walker’s ability to get to the basket will be a plus over last season’s starter, Elfrid Payton. While Walker is not known as a defensive ace, Tom Thibodeau will find a way to cover up any holes in his play. Walker just has to be Walker this season.
Is RJ Barrett Ready To Step Up
As great as Randle and Rose were, the Knicks needed more from RJ Barrett. It’s not to say that the 2nd year guard had an awful season, but if Barrett can manage to up his game to the next level this season, the Knicks will be that harder to beat. Last season, Barrett averaged 17.6 points on .425 percent shooting. What the Knicks will need from Barrett this year will be more accuracy from deep.
Barrett hit at a 40 percent clip last year but with a PG like Kemba Walker running the show, Barrett will get more open looks from beyond the arc. He’s a great slasher and can finish at the rim as good as some of the vets in the league.
The Knicks were prone to go through cold spells and against the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs, they desperately needed Barrett to step up and lighten the load placed upon Randle.
Can Mitchell Robinson Respond
Last season, the Knicks were a top 5 defensive team without arguably their best defender. Here’s how good Thibs teaching was. The Knicks were 18th in 2019 in points allowed. However, last season, they finished the regular season ranked 1st. Due to injuries, Robinson played in just 31 games with averages of 8.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.
In his absence, the Knicks employed a Center by committee with Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson. While the end result proved good for rankings, the Knicks surely did miss what Mitchell could bring to the team on both ends of the court. Robinson has taken heavy criticism since being drafted and the Knicks are looking for this to be his breakout year.
This offseason, Mitchell bulked up from 240 pounds to a reported 275. If he can assert that extra muscle in the paint, the Knicks will now have a true inside presence on both ends of the floor that was missing last season.
