2024/2025 NBA SEASON – Who will succeed the Boston Celtics as NBA champions? For a month, the Dicodusport editorial staff presents to you in turn the 30 franchises of the big American league. The New York Knicks seem to have strengthened this summer, let’s go for their preview!
2023/2024 Assessment: A Good Regular Performance, But a Bitter End
So, the New York Knicks had a season that was as exhilarating as your morning coffee—good enough to get you up but leaving you slightly anxious about what comes next. With a record of 50 wins and 32 losses, they strutted into the playoffs like they’d just won an argument in the pub, snagging 2nd place in the Eastern Conference—best accounting since 2012/2013, no less! Led by the culinary talents of Jalen Brunson (who might as well have a Michelin star with how he served the competition), and flanked by the stalwart Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks managed to fill Madison Square Garden like it was a free pizza night at the local. Talk about gathering a crowd!
But then, just when you thought it was getting good, Julius Randle gets injured—like a plot twist in a bad romantic comedy—and suddenly it’s all about Tom Thibodeau trying to create a team identity while looking like he’s just consumed a gallon of Red Bull! A highlight of the season? Acquiring AND Anunoby in a trade that saw RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley take a one-way ticket to the Raptors. Entering the playoffs with all the momentum of an avalanche, they faced off against the Sixers with home-court advantage, but that turned out to be about as useful as a chocolate teapot!
With Joel Embiid about as healthy as a three-legged dog, Jalen Brunson had to go full superhero, dropping four games over 35 points just to get past the first round. Eventually though, fatigue set in, and the Knicks lost to the Pacers in a gripping 4-3 showdown—residual bitterness lingering like a bad date. What a season, right? Talk about leaving a bad taste in your mouth after a good meal!
Offseason Movements
Departures
Kicking off with a list longer than your Sunday to-do list, they bid farewell to Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein, Bojan Bogdanovic, Daquan Jeffries, Mamadi Diakité, Shake Milton, and Alec Burks. Coincidentally, we should also send a warm thank-you note for their services.
Extensions
AND Anunoby got a much-deserved extension. Because, let’s be honest, they need him; he’s like the glue that holds this slightly chaotic jigsaw together!
Arrivals
In come the heavyweights: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne, and a trio of fresh rookies, including Pacôme Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, and Kevin McCullar Jr.. Sounds like they just opened a fancy deli with all these delicious options!
The New York Knicks’ Major 5
Presenting the juggernaut: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, AND Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns—a quintet that might just make the rest of the league reconsider their life choices.
Rotation on the Bench
Let’s not forget about the bench: Leaders include Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, and Tyler Kolek; Rears feature Landry Shamet and Pacome Dadiet; with Strong wingers like Precious Achiuwa and Jacob Toppin. It’s like a family reunion, but hopefully, without the awkward silences.
Weaknesses/Strengths
Weaknesses: The bench depth took a nosedive faster than a bad stock investment. With Mitchell Robinson still doing his best impression of a couch potato, there’s a pressing need for stability in the pivot spot—especially since the only reliable option for backup is Jericho Sims. Let’s hope he doesn’t treat this opportunity like a Netflix binge!
Strengths: Now, let’s talk about that fab five. Do they have the best starting lineup in the NBA? You bet your bottom dollar! Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are a duo on offense smoother than your favorite rom-com, perfectly supported by defensive guards like AND Anunoby and Josh Hart. If they can stay healthy, expect fireworks. This team is scary good and built to last, unlike your last Tinder date!
Player to Watch: Jericho Sims
With Mitchell Robinson out for what feels like an eternity, the spotlight is on Jericho Sims—he’s either stepping up or preparing to collect his ‘I was here’ participation trophy! This guy needs to show he’s not just a name on the roster but worthy of another contract. With a knack for setting screens and snagging boards, could we finally see the fancy footwork of Jericho? The clock’s ticking, my friend!
Prediction at the End of the Season: 3rd in the East
Mark your calendars, folks! The Knicks are aiming for a sweet 3rd place finish—anything less would be a colossal disappointment. With hopes riding high and a solid roster, the title isn’t just a dream; it’s a possibility! Their fans deserve it; after all, who else is coming to fill those seats at Madison Square Garden with the enthusiasm of a kid at Christmas? I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait to see what these Knicks will do in the playoffs next year!
2024/2025 NBA SEASON – Who will succeed the Boston Celtics as NBA champions? For a month, the Dicodusport editorial staff presents to you in turn the 30 franchises of the big American league. The New York Knicks seem to have strengthened this summer, let’s go for their preview!
2023/2024 assessment: A good regular performance, but a bitter end
With a record of 50 wins for 32 losses, which will earn them 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks had their best accounting season since 2012/2013. By developing a slow game (less good Pace in the NBA) but intense, carried by their leader Jalen Brunson and soldiers such as Josh Hart et Donte DiVincenzothe Knicks filled Madison Square Garden. Without Julius Randleinjured since the end of January and absent for the rest of the season, Tom Thibodeau managed to create a real team identity, even if it sometimes meant pushing the envelope a little too far as we will see in Playoffs. One of the highlights of the season will be the arrival in a trade of AND Anunobyin exchange for RJ Barrett et Immanuel Quickley who will go to the Raptors. The Knicks will then end the season in a cannonball with five wins in the last five games, which will allow them to face the Sixers with home-court advantage in the first round of the Playoffs.
Faced with a Joel Embiid diminished (as often in important moments), Jalen Brunson will carry the Knicks with 4 games over 35 points, 4-2 record for the Knicks. The rest of Playoffs will be more complicated, in particular because of the freshness of the New York captains. Against the Sixers, Josh Hart will have played 46.4 minutes per match, Brunson 43.8, Anunoby 41.6, a classic for Thibodeau Unfortunately. After the package of Mitchell Robinson from Game 1 against the Pacers, AND Anunoby will miss Games 3, 4, 5 and 6 against the Pacers and will only play 4 minutes in Game 7. At the end of fatigue, the Knicks will lose 4-3 and let the Pacers reach the Conference Finals, a regret in view of the beautiful New York season.
NBA 2024 review: Jalen Brunson and the historic Knicks
NBA 2023-2024 – While the Finals are underway, the time has come to take stock of the season of the franchises already eliminated. Today, it’s time for a team that has reignited the flame of New York, the Knicks. Led by an MVP-level Jalen Brunson, the tenants of Madison Square Garden thrilled their fans.
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Offseason movements
Departures
Julius Randle (Timberwolves), Donte DiVincenzo (Timberwolves), Isaiah Hartenstein (Thunder), Bojan Bogdanovic (Nets), Daquan Jeffries (Hornets), Mamadi Diakité (Nets), Shake Milton (Nets), Alec Burks (Heat)
Extensions
AND Anunoby
Arrivals
Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves), Mikal Bridges (Nets), Cameron Payne (Sixers), Pacôme Dadiet (25th pick of the 2024 Draft), Tyler Kolek (34th pick of the 2024 Draft), Kevin McCullar Jr (56th pick of the Draft 2024), Jacob Toppin (two-way), Ariel Hukporti (two-way)
The New York Knicks’ major 5
Jalen Brunson – Mikal Bridges – AND Anunoby – Josh Hart – Karl-Anthony Towns
Rotation on the bench
Leaders : Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, Tyler Kolek
Rears : Landry Shamet, Pacome Dadiet
Wingers : Kevin McCullar Jr (two-way)
Strong wingers : Precious Achiuwa, Jacob Toppin (two-way)
Pivots : Mitchell Robinson (blessé), Jericho Sims, Ariel Hukporti (two-way)
Weaknesses/strengths
Weak points: A bench depth sacrificed after the different trades summer and physical problems to watch out for. The wound of Mitchell Robinson until the beginning of 2025 could be problematic if the pivot takes time to return and/or relapses into Playoffs. Indeed, Jericho Sims is the only real pivot in the rotation behind him, if we don’t count the two-way Ariel Hukporti et Karl-Anthony Towns. The latter will undoubtedly still be aligned as the holder at position 5 at the start of the season while awaiting the return of Robinson, but he is much better at position 4, especially in defense which is already his weak point normally. On the wings, it will be necessary that Pacôme Dadiet or Kevin McCullar Jr are quickly ready to evolve at a high level, because otherwise Tom Thibodeau will make us play again Josh Hart et AND Anunoby 45 minutes per match, a method which showed its limits at the end of last season.
Points forts : The best 5 major in the NBA? The question arises, especially since these are not just names added to the mix, but players that complement each other. Jalen Brunson et Karl-Anthony Towns are offensive leaders who can be “hidden” on defense by elite defenders such as AND Anunoby et Josh Hartwith Mikal Bridges in a hybrid profile. If the physique holds up for these players, the Knicks will be serious candidates for the title at the end of the season and even for seasons to come. Except for Bridges who only have two years of contract remaining, the other 4 holders have 4 or 5 years of contract remaining, an ideal situation to build a squad around them in the long term.
Player to watch: Jericho Sims
With the injury of Mitchell Robinson for many more months, Jericho Sims can have a big role to play until January and perhaps even after, if his start to the season is successful. At the end of his rookie contract next summer, he will have the cards in hand to deserve to stay in the NBA, but does he have the level? With around 14 minutes of playing time per game on average for 3 years, he records a career average of 2.6 points, 4 rebounds and 0.5 blocks.
If he looks limited offensively, the Knicks just need him to set big screens, grab the big rebounds and defend the lead. If his level is good enough in these 3 registers, he can be aligned at position 5 in sequences with Karl-Anthony Towns at post 4 in order to have a fairly complementary racket. The more the young pivot manages to play, the more it will allow the other starters to breathe and avoid injuries. It’s time for Jericho Sims to take a step forward, and it’s now or never!
Prediction at the end of the season: 3rd in the East
This is the minimum objective that the New York Knicks must aim for this season, any other result would be a huge disappointment! In view of the 5 major the title is even clearly possible, it will however be necessary that injuries do not disrupt the plans again. Tom Thibodeau. In any case, just for the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden and the post-match videos of their supporters, we can’t wait to see what these Knicks will do in the Playoffs next year!
