NBA – Why the New York Knicks’ “all in” may not be enough

Jalen Brunson and his teammates achieved a feat that might seem unthinkable: they gave hope to fanatical, dedicated but also desperate supporters for years by their beloved Knicks. The heart of New York City beats to the rhythm of its legendary team. And it’s been a long time since these basketball fans had experienced so much emotion. Tom Thibodeau’s gang notched up 50 victories last year, a first since 2013. It had also been 25 years since the franchise had not qualified two times in a row for the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Leaders came to the conclusion that it was time to move up a gear and openly aim for the top. This is why they implemented two massive transfers to bring in Mikal Bridges at the start of the summer, then Karl-Anthony Towns just before the restart.

The arrival of Bridges should already have pushed the Knicks into another dimension. An important player for the Suns during the journey leading to the NBA Finals in 2021, who became the star of a shaky Nets team, the winger was vegetating in Brooklyn while watching with envy his former college friends having a blast in New York. The front office sacrificed four unprotected draft rounds — the fare usually reserved for superstars — to allow him to join Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, the ones with whom he won a college title with Villanova. But the organization didn’t stop there.

The injury to Mitchell Robinson, absent for the first months of the season, pushed him to show even more ambitions. Anxious to find a new pivot, management has completely brought one of the best players in the league to the position by recruiting Towns. Julius Randle, DiVincenzo and a new draft pick were sacrificed to bring in the multi-time All-Star interior.

The Knicks had been interested in the Minnesota star, herself from New Jersey, for a while. Leon Rose, who now presides over the franchise, represented the young man’s interests when he arrived in the NBA. It is therefore not a surprise to find him in New York, even if the timing of the deal, just before the start of training camps, is striking. However, on paper, the association between Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns is attractive. The first choice of the 2015 draft is a partner of choice for the pocket point guard, fifth in the vote for the MVP last year. The Knicks got their hands on an offensive threat who peaks at 23 points on average since the start of his career, all at 40% from three-point range.

“KAT” will create spaces that Brunson has never experienced before on the pitch. His presence gives a whole new dimension to the New York attack, in addition to a formidable “1-5” axis. The two stars will be able to combine on pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop to undermine opposing defenses. Moreover, speaking of defense, this same leader-pivot combo will probably show limits on this side of the field. But they are surrounded by three very versatile wingers renowned for their defensive qualities with Hart, Bridges and OG Anunoby. This major five is potentially one of the strongest in the league.

There’s not much doubt that the Knicks got back the best player traded by trading with the Timberwolves. With Towns and Bridges, they are certainly more talented than last year, when they reached the Conference semifinals despite a squad decimated by injuries. And yet, it’s still too early to say loud and clear that they made the right choice(s) during the offseason. The affair carries its share of risks, with a lot of pressure put on the 28-year-old kingpin. Pressure that he was not always able to cope with in his little cocoon in Minneapolis. Pressure which will be increased tenfold in New York, where journalists and fans do not take half measures.

A very large part of the Knicks’ success will not really depend on the – undeniable – talent of the cat, but rather on his personality and his state of mind. It is also his mentality that led him to clash, and on several occasions, with Tom Thibodeau when the latter was still coaching the Wolves. The coach has undoubtedly validated the transfer and is therefore ready to work with him again. He will find a changed man, more mature than at the time of their first collaboration. It’s important. Primordial even. Towns will have to join a project already in place. Can he really do it? Can he fully integrate into a group even if his profile does not necessarily fit with the very rough and combative culture established in New York?

After all, he has already adapted to Minnesota by going from superstar status to second blade behind Anthony Edwards. His first words suggest that he comes with the intention of blending in: “Brunson and his partners have built something special. I’m here to help and be the best teammate I can be.“The advantage is that in New York there are characters strong enough to put him in his place and tell him things as they are if necessary. This is perhaps even what he has the most need since the start of his career There are therefore reasons to be optimistic.

But up to a certain point. The New York squad is potentially stronger than last year. Its theoretical ceiling – the word is important – is higher. She still lost major players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Donte DiVincenzo, in addition to Julius Randle, who also averaged 20 points per game. The rotation is very light in the racket pending a possible return of Robinson, a player with a constantly uncertain state of health. There is very little bench depth.

This is not necessarily a problem for Thibodeau, who likes to leave his executives on the floor for a long time. But it becomes complicated at the slightest physical glitch. And by definition, basketball players who play a lot are more likely to be tired and/or injured. Especially even after having mortgaged a nice bunch of draft picks while taking charge of one of the heaviest contracts in the league, the Knicks are not necessarily at the level of the Celtics on the starting line. Not even better than the Sixers. And that’s just by staying in the East. The franchise has opened its window and now has two to three years to go for its first ring since 1973. The countdown has officially begun in the Big Apple.