New York Knicks: Finding Their Way In 2021
The New York Knicks will head into the 2020-21 NBA season with hopes of making the playoffs but the fact is, they are better focusing on the progress. Much like the Philadelphia 76ers did in the days of Sam Hinkie, the Knicks must take that same approach. Their offseason showed no real movement. Meaning, no top-tier stars changed their address from L.A., San Antonio, or Toronto to Broadway.
What the Knicks are stuck with are players that other teams have either given up on or did not want to pay. This is the reality that the Knicks are facing. So, what do they do?
After finishing last season 21-45 and not being invited to Orlando, the Knicks had to be aggressive. But they didn’t or better yet, they couldn’t. Winning is an attraction and that’s something the Knicks have been short on. No longer is 5th Ave a selling point to free agents. The Brooklyn Nets are now the hot ticket in NYC and rightfully so.
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This season, the Knicks will bet the house on Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, and their top choice in the 2020 NBA Draft, Obi Toppin. The building blocks are there but the Knicks are still making some of the same errors. Why draft Toppin who cannot play Center in the NBA but draft a young player who plays the same position as Randle? What was the point of that? The Knicks need a threat on the perimeter but ignored that, again.
Their guard rotation is awful. Elfrid Payton was brought in to help solidify that position but with career averages of 11.0 points and 6.6 assists, how much havoc is he expected to cause on the offensive end of the floor? His backup, Frank Ntilikina still has not figured out the NBA and maybe a lost cause.
The 2-Guard spot is still a major concern for the Knicks. Many analysts believe that Alec Burks could take the position and given the Knicks’ woes from the perimeter, this may be their best option. They also have Dennis Smith Jr who could help here but his struggles are not trending upward.
With new head coach Tom Thibadeau, the New York Knicks will try to pride themselves on defense. Their woes last season which had them ranked 18th in defense and 29th in scoring may not improve to the point of a winning season. The rest of the roster still reads like a who’s who of characters with Nerlens Noel, Kevin Knox, and Reggie Bullock. They’re versatile but can they play up to Thibs liking?
But the main thing that will hurt the Knicks this season is the rest of the Atlantic Division. The Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and the Nets will all make the playoffs. The Knicks will be on the outside looking in. But winning should not be their main area of concern this season. For them, it’s about finding their path for the future. Toppin, Robinson, and Barrett are the building blocks and it appears the Knicks may look to move Randle by the NBA Trade Deadline.
It will be another down season for the New York Knicks but every rebuild has its down years.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
