Knicks still stand with a very positive mindset while still being near the top of the East as there are roughly 20 games left in the regular season. In what has been a season where the Knicks looked completely lethal and on top of everything, to some nights where they were really struggling with teams that will be on the way to get to the NBA Finals. The Knicks still very much control their own density in every way shape or form. They got the defense, offensive communication, and scorers. The Knicks are six games behind the Pistons and 1 game behind the Celtics. Never say never, but Pistons have been a kryptonite.
You look at this roster you got so much talent and Alvarado doesn’t even look remotely close to a so-called “bad trade” at all he brought energy and hard fought skill every night and his defensive masterclass is so fun to watch. He has saved many points in close games in the fourth quarter. You got obviously one of the best in the league in Jalen Brunson and he there of course isn’t nothing he can’t seem to succeed in while on the court. Then, from Towns to OG to Bridges they are all having arguably their best seasons and breaking out each night. So many breakout games this season from unexpected players. That has been such a key to success for the Knicks and that circles right back to Head Coach Mike Brown.
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With the playoffs in the distance that time will come up very quickly, and the Knicks know their path to the NBA Finals will be having to take down the Boston Celtics and the kings of the east in the Detroit Pistons. Both teams are hardcore and scary in many aspects. Now the Celtics who have Tatum back it is going to be a masterclass to watch this East battle in the playoffs. Being 2-1 vs the Celtics this season and all the wins were very well fought, they attacked the paint, had great communication on the defensive side, and took advantage of the Celtics in the interior. Also, if it is anything like that playoff series we just saw between these two this will be even better. So hyped. They can even up with the Celtics very well and the key is to stop the screens that the Celtics constantly did on Bridges and Towns. Boston is just one test, but it’s definitely real and lethal.
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The Pistons oh my god are they SCARY. It is very safe to say admit or not that the Pistons are the team you’re going to have to take down in the East if you want a chance to win a championship this season. A full on kryptonite to the Knicks as the Pistons have fully manhandled them every single game they have played each other. It was very easy to see in those games that the Knicks were simply getting outsmarted and outplayed, for the Pistons they just saw the Knicks as very easy to read. The Pistons youth, skill, spread out dynamic, and speed overhauled the Knicks and they got fully exposed. It was surely frustrating for Knicks fans because every battle against the Pistons it was the same thing every game like the Knicks would come off huge or exciting wins and here come the Pistons fully exposing them. Got to give credit, when credit is due they took away the Knicks key strides through and through no matter if that was overwhelming Brunson for a bad night, taking away the Towns and Bridges spacing assets, and were always at the right place at the right time on the defensive side of the ball. Across three games versus the Pistons the Knicks got outscored 365-281. Yikes. It really just felt like the little things the Knicks couldn’t succeed in. Mistakes that just can’t happen at this level of expectations. So, it will be a very interesting thing to see on how the Knicks will change the gameplan and every single aspect the next time they face them. We know this will probably be a playoff series with ANGER, ENERGY, MOMENTUM, AND DETERMINATION. Time will tell, but if they can figure it out come playoff time the regular season games will get overlooked by Knicks fans very quickly.
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So much to note on what the Knicks have done well and kept it consistent all season. As it gets noted a lot one of the best parts of this team is they never say never and they end up being a different hero every night which is such an incredible thing to see because you can argue this team didn’t fully show that last season. Mike Brown has created a very balanced rotation where they get the mindset quickly to take the extra pass or take the extra shot, or whatever it may be. The bench is balling massively this season and it’s being used so well because it’s all about believing in your guys and realizing the minutes on your key players. Then, the Knicks become a way more 3-point shooting approach and nothing is wrong with being aggressive on that front if you are winning games like the Knicks, the communication on the offense creates that stunner for the defense and they just fooled, leading to a beautiful three points. A lot more handoffs this season, and that has been seen in the aspect of when OG, Towns, and Bridges floor spacing so well making it lethal. Everybody knows their roles, which in the league now is such a must to have an open-court mindset and create those smooth transitions. Making the little things for the Knicks get done quicker and easier, leads to big things being simple especially on a good defensive team. Nearly 100% complete as a team. Also, another thing worth noting now is how they have been able to lean on the defensive side of the ball way more. This team is real and talented from here on out all about hitting your marks and winning the games you need to win and gameplan against those hardcore teams because this season the league is very loaded. I don’t know how anybody can argue that either.
