NFL
The New York Knicks will begin their championship push against the Atlanta Hawks in Round 1 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs this week. And while both teams have been a surprise of sorts this season, it’s the Knicks who must take off the training wheels first.
The matchup does have star power with Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, Trae Young, and Clint Capella but it will come down to who will grow up faster? Will Randle take that big playoff leap that superstars need on their resume or will Young take that step first?
During the regular season, the Knicks went 3-0 against the Hawks. But in the playoffs, all bets are off as games are more competitive and offer little room for error. This is where a player like Rose will come in handy for the young Knicks.
Rose has been here before and so has Capella but not in the same capacity. Rose is a difference-maker and that’s exactly why he was brought to NYC and why Tom Thibodeau can walk into this matchup with great confidence.
The main area of concern will be the play of RJ Barrett. While he has taken a leap this year, the Knicks will need him to become a stud in the first round. There can be no excuses. While Randle has torched the Hawks in their three meetings, success or failure will fall on the shooting of Barrett.
There is not a player on the Hawks’ capable of keeping Barrett from going off when he’s on his A-Game. If he can contribute from the perimeter, the Knicks will sweep Atlanta. But if he struggles, it won’t matter how big of a series Randle and Rose have, the Knicks will falter.
Knicks are a great defensive team and will need to really turn it up a notch against the Young and the Hawks. Foul trouble cannot happen here with Nerlens Noel or any other big. The Hawks’ frontcourt is dangerous with Capella and John Collins. Randle will have his hands full but Noel will need to be at his best.
When it comes to the bench play, the Knicks do have the advantage with Rose but another player who can help the Knicks overtake the Hawks will be Alec Burks. On the year, he’s been another saving grace for the Knicks’ second unit.
Two teams, both on redemption missions will face off. This is what the playoffs are all about. Both teams are led by young All-Stars with a great supporting cast but only one team will move on. This is the time for the New York Knicks to step into the spotlight and prove their season was not a fluke.
