Three reasons why the Knicks might surprise — and why they may disappoint
The Knicks' Immanuel Quickley, right, leaps and passes a ball over Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, left, during an. NBA preseason game on Oct. 14 at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP/Bebeto Matthews
3 reasons the Knicks might surprise
1. Continuity: While there has been chaos, good and bad, in the East with stars shifting locales and new coaches coming in, the Knicks bring back eight of their nine rotation players as well as the key depth pieces behind them. On a still young team that could be huge.
2. Depth: The Knicks are lacking the sort of superstar that Boston or Milwaukee (or Philadelphia) boast, but they are deep and the second unit, powered by Immanuel Quickley and newcomer Donte DiVincenzo, could provide a fast-paced attack with versatile defenders up and down the lineup.
3. The Villanova effect: The Wildcats won NCAA titles led by a trio of players who now make up a significant part of the Knicks rotation in Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo. Does that winning pedigree carryover when they unite in the NBA?
3 reasons they may disappoint
1. Wear and tear: The Knicks made it through last season without losing any of their key players for an extended stretch. But even if they are deep they are very reliant on Brunson and Randle, who have managed to play through tweaks and minor injuries (not so minor, too, as Randle underwent ankle surgery when the season ended). Losing one of them could derail the whole process.
2. Everything matters - everywhere: One of the advantages any Tom Thibodeau team has had is that they don’t take games off. Ever. So while many teams are playing around with load management or taking games lightly in the middle of the schedule the Knicks played with a fire every night. But what happens if coaches and players adhere to the new urging of the league to prioritize every game?
3. New York, New York: The Knicks' early-season schedule is a bear, opening with Boston at home and then three games on the road (9 of first 14 on the road). A slow start in the pressure cooker of MSG quickly raises the heat — see 2021-22.
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.
