NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The New York Knicks got exactly what they needed last season and more. With the addition of Jalen Brunson, the Knicks added a second star to their roster. With their play, they reached the second round of the playoffs but fell short to the red-hot Miami Heat. No need to hang their heads, they did what they were supposed to do.
This offseason, the Knicks stayed the course by resigning Josh Hart and adding a valuable piece in Donte DiVincenzo. While most Knicks fans are still looking for that so-called home run deal that will land them a player like Zach LaVine or James Harden, more star power is not necessarily needed.
The New York Knicks’ core is young and hungry. As we saw last season, they will go through some growing pains but that’s to be expected. No matter how the fans feel about Julius Randle, the Knicks are going to go as far as he takes them. Brunson stepped into a large role and played well but Randle is still their do-it-all-guy. How do you turn your back on a player who has averaged 22.3 points and 10.0 boards since arriving at Madison Square Garden?
RJ Barrett must find his role next season or he could be on his way out by the trade deadline. If Barrett can hit his outside shots (.310 percent), the Knicks will be as dangerous as any team in the Eastern Conference. Brunson has been solid at the point but he’s not your typical PG who likes to set the pace and set up others. The Knicks may need to go outside here and find a Rajon Rondo-type player who understands how to get others going.
Will The New York Knicks Be Contenders
The success will still fall on the rebounding, shot blocking, and minutes of Mitchell Robinson. After signing that $60M deal, Robinson has not progressed the way the New York Knicks thought he would. He’s still regarded as one of the best defensive bigs in the game but he’s limited on the offensive end and still finds himself in foul trouble.
The bench is where the New York Knicks have an advantage over most teams, depending on how Thibbs uses his versatile roster. The second unit could be spearheaded by Hart, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickly, and Isaiah Hartenstein. Losing Obi Toppin will hurt over the course of the season as he was a valuable backup plan for Randle. But if Isaiah Roby can get valuable mintues, he should be a serviceable backup for Randle.
For the headlining moves the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics have made, the moves done by the Knicks have flown under the radar. This is a team that won 47 games last season and beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
For the New York Knicks, it’s all about growth. They have a full season under their belt as far as chemistry goes and with the way the East is shaping up, they have a shot to be at the top when the dust settles. For once, it was not about going after the flashy names on the back of the jersey but embracing what they currently have and adding to it.
