2023-24 season: 50-32
Highlight: The evolution of Jalen Brunson turning into a near superstar and a legitimate top-tier playoff performer, solidifying his status as the future of New York Knicks basketball.
How it ended
Hurtfully. Literally. The Knicks were about as healthy as a dead person in the final stages of their season, having lost OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanović, and Mitchell Robinson to injuries, while members of the remaining cast – Brunson, Josh Hart and Anunoby returning for Game 7 – were playing hurt and playing heavy minutes.
Essentially, the Knicks came into the second half of the season with a real argument of being the deepest team in the Eastern Conference, but ended up running on fumes, ultimately causing their playoff demise, while having to start backup point guard Miles McBride in multiple games.
Needless to say, it’s impossible to point the finger too harshly at New York for their gas tank running empty. Instead, the main takeaway from this season is how close they are to being a major Eastern Conference powerhouse, pending the re-signing of Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Furthermore, in the absence of three starters, Tom Thibodeau’s remaining troops stepped up to the plate and ultimately became better and more hardened NBA players as a direct result.
McBride will enter next season viewed as one of the better backup point guards in the league. Hart will be seen as more than a role player, but a major key to success with his versatility as a rebounder, playmaker and energy source. Hartenstein is going into this summer likely now viewed as being worthy to start full time, regardless of where he ends up.
All this does present some challenges for the Knicks in regard to keeping the team together long term. However, given that New York has Brunson, Hart, and McBride all on extremely team-friendly contracts, a pathway to keep most of this roster intact seems plausible.
Josh Hart and the Knicks had a brutal end to the season, but the future is looking up. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/new-york-knicks-2024-nba-offseason-preview-staying-the-course-should-be-the-focus-002016099.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-05-20 00:20:16
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