NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The New York Knicks on paper are the best team in the NBA. You can look at the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and even the Boston Celtics, but what the Knicks have from top to bottom, is a blueprint for a contender.
Before the trade deadline, they made huge strides with the addition of OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa. Then they went all in with the additions of Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. Now they have a rotation that can rival any in the league.
The only team with a roster as deep as theirs will be the Clippers and the only time they will meet should be in the NBA Finals. There is not a unit in the Eastern Conference that can match up with them in a 7-game series. To beat them, you must let the New York Knicks beat themselves. The only way that can happen is if they can’t get their chemistry right.
Talent-wise, they will ride the shoulders of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. But if one or both of them are to struggle, they now have role players who can score when called upon. The addition of Donte DiVincenzo has been huge. Now you add in the sharp shoring of Bogdanovic, coupled with the scoring and defense that OG adds, what unit can put the clamps on this team in a series?
Are The New York Knicks Title Contenders
But what about their achilles heel? It used to be the bench. Not anymore. Tom Thibodeau has a unit that can play both ends of the court. When the team is healthy, he will have a decision to make. As of now, with the injuries, that unit consists of Bogdanovic, Burks, Josh Hart, McBride, Jericho Sims, and Jacob Toppin. Damn, this team is loaded.
While the offense can carry them, it will be the defensive end of the court where they will solidify their run. When Mitchell Robinson returns, the Knicks will have studs on the perimeter with OG and in the post with Robinson. Randle is a stellar rebounder and the same goes for OG when he’s locked in. Robinson is a rebounding and shot blocker by nature. The same goes for Isaiah Hartenstein, who is averaging 8.7 boards per game. Not to be overshadowed is Hart at the SF spot who hauls in 7.1 per game.
Thibbs has always hung the success of his teams on the defense end of the court and the New York Knicks are no different. Entering the 2nd half of the season, the Knicks are currently 3rd in Points Allowed. And this is being done without their unit being at full strength. We have yet to see what this team can do when everyone is healthy. At this point, Thibbs can play with the lineups to get the full potential.
Yes, it’s still early and the Knicks will have a few setbacks as they try to incorporate all the new pieces with the old. There will be times they fall and when they do, the media, especially in NYC will be ready to pounce. However, once they begin to gel and the playoffs roll around, the New York Knicks will be the team no one wants to face in the playoffs.
