Three keys for the Knicks entering the 2024-25 NBA regular season
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns moves to box out Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in the first half of preseason NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
1. IS THIS A 'THIBS' TEAM?
This is an argument starter, but the Knicks have upgraded the talent and have to still show that they can play with the fire and fury that marked last year’s team. Can the new pieces — Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges — live up to the style and tone that made the franchise beloved in New York? Last season’s 50-win team was an on-court version of every Tom Thibodeau belief. Can this newly-formed group become a Thibs team, too?
2. DEPTH CHARGE
Another fallout from the trade was that before the Knicks dealt away Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, they boasted possibly the deepest roster in the NBA with Josh Hart and DiVinenzo likely coming off the bench. The Landry Shamet injury may disrupt the plans and relying on Deuce McBride, Precious Achiuwa and a lot of questions marks is different. Now, the Knicks will need health so that they can utilize Bridges, Anunoby or Hart with the second unit.
3. TOWNS TAKEOVER
This is still Jalen Brunson’s team and I’ve yet to talk to any scout or executive who doesn’t believe Brunson will continue to grow as a player and leader. But the Knicks added Towns as the second star — another All-NBA talent. The Knicks need him to be that and do it quickly, using his unicorn-like shooting skills to open up the offense. And defending the way Thibodeau requires wouldn’t hurt either.
BEAT WRITER'S PREDICTION
55-27, 2nd in Eastern Conference; lose in Eastern Conference Finals
The Knicks have taken the two straight trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals and upgraded their talent, but it remains to be seen if they pass the final hurdle and get by the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Steve Popper has covered the Knicks for Newsday since 2018.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
