While some people in the Tri-State Area are excited about the championship prospects of the Brooklyn Nets, the region remains, by and large, behind the New York Knicks.
The Knicks are 2-1 so far in the preseason, and it has some New Yorkers wondering if the embattled franchise could actually return to the playoffs this season.
The team did make the postseason in 2021 after posting a surprising 41-31 record and finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference, an accomplishment that lit up Madison Square Garden with excitement in the playoffs that year.
But last season, the Knicks regressed, finishing under .500 amidst problems on both ends of the court, especially the offensive end, and they’re back to the familiar position of having to figure out how to rise from ineptitude.
Is there any true reason for optimism, or are they doomed for yet another disappointing season?
The Knicks Struck Out On Their Big Opportunity This Summer
In July and August, the big rumor around the NBA was that Utah Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell would be traded and that he was on his way to New York.
Mitchell is from the New York City area, so it only made sense that he would end up wearing a blue and orange uniform this season.
The Knicks went hard after him, but in the end, Jazz executive Danny Ainge decided to send Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers instead.
Reportedly, one reason the Jazz did the deal with Cleveland and not New York was to get back at Mitchell for asking out.
It was an all-too-familiar result for Knicks fans, who have grown used to seeing big names linked to their team, only to see it fail to land such players.
However, the Knicks did make a nice and surprising acquisition this summer – Jalen Brunson, who had a breakout season last year for the Dallas Mavericks.
He averaged 21.6 points per game during Dallas’ unexpected run to the Western Conference Finals, and it was widely thought that more likely than not, he would re-sign with the Mavs.
Instead, he opted for the Knicks, where his father, Rick Brunson, is an assistant coach.
The younger Brunson likely won’t make the All-Star team, but his ability to attack and score can help jump-start a Knicks offense that was often stuck in mud last year.
Jalen Brunson gets it to fall… AND 1!
His footwork in the paint is TOUGH pic.twitter.com/6LU7oQIvOD
— NBA (@NBA) October 12, 2022
Where Does Julius Randle Fit In?
During the 2020-21 season, Randle broke out, averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting a career-high 41.1 percent from 3-point range en route to his first All-Star selection.
But he fell back last season, as his overall shooting accuracy fell to 41.1 percent, which was his lowest since his rookie season when he appeared in just one contest before suffering a severe leg injury.
For the Knicks to be successful, they need to surround Randle with plenty of potent 3-point shooters, but they have lost a couple of players who can supply that, including Alec Burks.
The best bet may be to let Randle be more of a main facilitator, but he will also need his teammates’ help to get some easier baskets from his sweet spots.
Julius Randle redemption tour is coming this season pic.twitter.com/2MdaF3Q2bO
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) October 13, 2022
The Worst News For The Knicks
The Eastern Conference has gotten even better and stronger, as teams like the Cavs, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets could all improve this year.
They will make it even tougher for the Knicks to climb back into the playoff picture.
Realistically, the ceiling for New York is making the play-in tournament, and if it’s lucky enough, the first round of the playoffs.
Other than that, it would take a drastic mid-season trade or two for it to go further.
NEXT: Knicks Newcomer Speaks About Derrick Rose’s Leadership