New York Knicks
The 2022-23 New York Knicks can be defined by making the playoffs and getting to the second round for the first time in a decade.
What did we learn?
Jalen Brunson is the newest king of New York.
His arrival to the Knicks absolutely transformed this offense in the best way.
Brunson was even better — WAY better — than he showed in Dallas. His recently laughed-at contract now looks like a bargain. One that any team would be so lucky to have.
With Brunson, the Knicks’ offense was so much more organized and free-flowing.
However, the 3-point shooting and defense struggled at the beginning of the season, leaving the Knicks empty-handed in a lot of games down the stretch. The Knicks started 10-13 and Thibs had to make some necessary changes. That’s when he actually played and trusted the young guys!
Immanuel Quickley’s minutes increased and Quentin Grimes became a full-time starter. Grimes started 66 games, an enormous breakthrough for a coach previously stubborn and unwilling to trust the youngins. Grimes was a quintessential 3-and-D guy and Quickley emerged as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Quickley’s bench output helped put the Knicks over the top on many occasions. His 3-point shooting and playmaking spark were vital to Knicks Ws. After All-Star, Quickley averaged 21-4-4 and his defense took a major step forward.
The Knicks closed the season strong for the second straight year. Over the last two months of the season, the Knicks won 20 of 30 games while rocking the No. 2 offense in the league.
Brunson was the lead man as aforementioned. His 24 points and 6 assists per game with 41.6 percent accuracy from beyond the arc were the exact main ingredients this team needed.
It helped alleviate life for Julius Randle, who had a bounce-back season — until he didn’t in the playoffs. Randle was actually the lone All-Star for the Knicks. Although that sure seems like a silly notion in retrospect. (But it was understandable at the time.)
Randle just isn’t a player suited for the playoffs. He stunk up the joint vs. ATL in 2021 and did more of the same in the second round against the Heat, shooting 4-of-15 in Game 3 and 3-of-14 in Game 6. The worst part of it, again, is all the moping and bad vibes when things are not going his way. His inconsistent play and moody vibes are a detriment to the team.
Speaking of inconsistency, RJ Barrett remained a consistently inconsistent player. A really good-looking player when playing well and a really lousy player when off his game. Barrett could pop off for 30 just as easily as he could shoot below 30 percent from the field.
Obi Toppin was a force in transition, benefitting from the removal of the take foul probably more than anybody in the league. Isaiah Hartenstein became a boon for the second unit and insurance for injury-prone Mitchell Robinson. Hartenstein was also an Iron Man, playing in all 82 games this season.
When healthy, Robinson was a force inside and capable of blocking just about anything. He finished top-10 in total blocks despite playing 59 games.
The Josh Hart acquisition at the deadline was huge. Hart is a player that breathes what Thibs preaches on the court. His rebounding and defensive intensity were the final touches for this roster.
It all led to the Knicks racking up 47 wins, the 5-seed in the East and a first-round match-up with the Cavs.
The Knicks outclassed the Cavs in the first round, flexing their defensive chops. The Knicks held the Cavs to 94 points a game as Mitchell Robinson dominated the Cavs’ big men and controlled the paint. It was a wrap in 5 quick games.
Against the Heat, however, Robinson no-showed, Randle was way off and Quickley missed the last three games with an injury. Even Brunson was dealing with an ankle. The Knicks’ offense was 10 points per 100 possessions worse than their mark during the regular season. The Heat took care of business in 6.
But the Knicks were not even supposed to be there. It was their first time in the second round of the playoffs in a decade and the second time since freakin’ 2000.
The Knicks found their guy in Brunson and that’s what matters the most.
The Garden was rocking and this team was fun.
And they even beat Donovan Mitchell in the playoffs.
_____________________________________
Additional Notes
Evan Fournier was paid $18 million this season to play in just 27 games. That contract was a blunder.
Derrick Rose did not have the same quick first step or success as two years ago after returning from injury.
His baseline numbers don’t show it, but Jericho Sims had a solid sophomore campaign for what the Knicks needed out of him. He stepped up in January and February when Robinson missed time.
_____________________________________
Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?
The Knicks feel like a .500 team. Over 38.5 wins.
Knicks 2022-23 record: (47-35)
Yes indeed! The Knicks were even way better than a .500 team.
_____________________________________
What’s Next?
If it seemed like the Knicks were quiet on draft night, that’s because they did not make a selection.
BUT the Knicks currently have both financial flexibility and future first-round picks which is uncommon territory for the franchise.
Josh Hart has a player option, and if he declines, resigning him should be priority 1.
_____________________________________
Favorite Knicks Highlight of the 2022-23 Season:
The Return of Power Dunk City. Coming Soon.
