Last Sunday saw the New York Knicks' season end in convincing fashion to the Indiana Pacers. The combination of injuries and hot-shooting by the Pacers resulted in a 130-109 defeat for the team's biggest game of the season. But for the Knicks to even be in that position is nothing short of spectacular. In their third playoff appearance in four years, this year's team was arguably the best of the bunch and there are many reasons to support that statement.
For starters, the Knicks had their first 50 win season in 11 years and their second overall in the last 24 seasons. They had a talented roster that featured two all stars in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, along with a resilient group of guys who stepped up despite injuries to multiple key contributors, including their entire front court. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has installed this mentality within the team since taking over, and he became the fifth coach in Knicks history to make the playoffs three times. Even when the team won six of their last seven games to clinch the number two seed, people believed they should tank for a more favorable matchup in the playoffs rather than face the Philadelphia 76ers who were riding their own hot streak. However, New York was rewarded for their approach as they defeated Philadelphia in six thrilling games, and were up 3-2 against the Pacers before running out of steam. Even with the result, the Knicks established themselves as contenders going forward. At the centerpiece of their team, is point guard Jalen Brunson. Last season, Brunson made an immediate impact leading the Knicks to the second round, but that now seems like a footnote compared to this season. Brunson enjoyed another career year in points and assists, along with his first all-star and All-NBA selections. Through his toughness and creativity, Brunson has become one of New York's most beloved athletes. He might not possess much physical gifts, but Brunson knows how to set up himself and his teammates to succeed. In the playoffs, Brunson continued his brilliance setting a franchise record for points in a playoff game with 47, along with being the fourth player in NBA history to have five or more playoff games with at least 40 points and five assists. https://x.com/NBAonTNT/status/1790567471738446021 However, Brunson isn't the sole reason for the Knicks' success. Although Julius Randle's season abruptly ended with a shoulder injury, he continued to grow his skills since winning Most Improved Player in 2021. After a slow start, Randle began to resemble the All-NBA player he was in two of the previous three seasons, averaging 24 points and nine rebounds. Randle was particularly at his best inside the three point arc where he tied his career best for two-point field goals with 6.9 makes. He was playing some of his best basketball in the last two months before his injury, and should bounce back strong next season. https://x.com/nyknicks/status/1734397520065769683 The Knicks additionally fielded a strong group of role players who excelled in different areas. In December, they traded fan-favorites RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby who proved to be a perfect fit with his defense and ability to score off the ball. In every game he suited up, the Knicks went 26-5. https://x.com/nypostsports/status/1786236199864000600 Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstien also became beloved role players with their hustle and willingness to make impact plays that didn't always appear in the box score. Their durability was essential during the second half of the season along with the playoffs. Hartenstien made 37 more starts than any other season combined while Hart played four playoff games without resting. https://x.com/NBA/status/1786238471004156058 Donte DiVincenzo enjoyed a career year in his first season wearing orange and blue. He averaged personal bests in scoring and three point percentage. In addition, he had a knack for big shots which occurred in the closing seconds of playoff wins against Philadelphia and Indiana. https://x.com/KnicksMSGN/status/1782594002232983608 Mitchell Robinson was still a reliable rim protector when healthy. He was initially diagnosed with a season ending ankle injury in December, but came back before the playoffs and was giving the team solid minutes before Joel Embiid grabbed his ankles while air-born. Yet Robinson came back during the series and was part of a team effort that contained Embiid in the fourth quarter of game six. Miles McBride went from being seldom used to the team's primary ball-handler off the bench. After trading for Anunoby, the Knicks gave McBride a three year, $13 million contract extension which now looks like a bargain. McBride grew more comfortable running the offense while remaining a tenacious defender. While the Knicks roster lacked the stability that other playoff teams enjoyed, the on-court chemistry every one of their players shared was undeniable. One can point to how Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo, who played together at Villanova, possessed their own skills that benefited the team. Or the fact that Anunoby immediately made a difference despite admitting to not fully knowing the plays early on. Unselfish sequences like Hartenstein keeping possessions alive, and the team's hard-nosed defense were common throughout the year. But none of that is possible without Thibodeau installing his philosophy of hard work, toughness, and resilience toward each player. Every player bought in to Thibodeau's culture and it was evident at various points of the season whether it was during the team's red-hot January, or against Philadelphia where all but one game wasn't decided until the final minute. Even during the most adverse times, such as a rough February, their mental toughness never faded. There were multiple players such as Brunson and Robinson playing through injuries, while Anunoby tried playing through a hamstring injury in game 7 before ultimately having to sit out. That type of competitive mindset is what enabled the Knicks to make it so far. This offseason will be more about keeping the roster intact than trying to find a star player. Perhaps no evidence better supports this case than their NBA-best 14-2 record in January. That was the healthiest version of the Knicks' current roster, and they were in the midst of a nine game winning streak at the time of Randle's injury. Despite playing the last two games of the month without him, New York's 246 point differential during the month was higher than any other NBA team in a single month this season. The Knicks will certainly try to resign Anunoby and Hartenstien who are both free agents this summer. Anunoby is expected to return while Hartenstien will be coveted by other teams though he has voiced a desire to stay. Brunson is also eligible for an extension and is reportedly willing to take less money if it means signing this summer. With those moves and some much-needed rest for everyone, a big year could be on the horizon. This year’s NFL Draft featured a heavy dose of wide receivers and offensive lineman. With plenty of high prospects at both positions, only cornerbacks were a more highly coveted position than receivers and offensive tackles by the time the draft ended.
Throughout the first round, many teams went into the draft needing a receiver or an offensive tackle, one of the most important positions on the offensive line, going into the draft. While picking either position would’ve been understandable, it adds to the debate of whether general managers should draft skill positions or offensive lineman. On one hand, a team can’t function on offense without a group of players who can control the line of scrimmage. That being said, it’s important to have pass catchers in what has become a passing league. There is a valid argument for selecting either position, and it is worth looking at both sides. For offensive lineman, there is a better chance that selecting a lineman will be more beneficial in the long term. The career length of an offensive lineman is 3.75 years which is almost a full year above receivers who last 2.81 years, according to Statista. In addition, teams with a cornerstone offensive lineman will have more diversity on offense. They can effectively run the ball behind their all-pro tackle, something the San Francisco 49ers love doing with Trent Williams, or execute pass plays like the Dallas Cowboys. Teams can also afford to pass up a receiver, since they are usually talented options in the later rounds. The Los Angeles Chargers are one team that used this approach. Despite having a young star quarterback in Justin Herbert, they cut ties with most of their skill positions after a disappointing 5-12 season. In the first round, they selected all-world tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame over drafting a receiver. Alt is arguably the most pro-ready prospect entering the draft, and is a perfect fit for a team that still wants to win now. He and fellow tackle Rashawn Slater will make it easier for Herbert to develop chemistry with his new receivers, such as Ladd McConkey and Brendan Rice who they later drafted. The New York Jets on the other hand, valued longevity up front when it came to their first round selection. Despite acquiring two established tackles in Tyrone Smith and Morgan Moses, they wanted more security at the position which led to them choosing Olu Fashanu from Penn State. Fashanu allowed one sack in his collegiate career, and although the Jets understandably want to win now with Aaron Rodgers turning 40 this December, he gives them a foundational piece in the long run. While it is important for teams to solidify their offensive line, there is also high demand for impact players at wide receivers. Many teams have become more pass-oriented over the years, and there is especially a need for playmakers after a year where the average points per game was second fewest in the last ten seasons. Teams are always looking for players who can be trusted by the quarterback, and in this year’s draft featured plenty of highly touted receivers such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers who were all top 10 picks. One team that particularly set out to upgrade their skill positions were the New York Giants. They were in a position where selecting either an offensive lineman or receiver would have been understandable, but they decided to prioritize the need for reliable receivers with Malik Nabers. Nabers has a knack for explosive plays thanks to his route running, and ability to get yards after the catch. They hope Nabers can fill a void at receiver that has been present since the team traded Odell Beckham Jr. five years ago. In my opinion, it's more sustainable to draft an elite offensive lineman. There’s a better chance a team ends up with a valuable cornerstone whereas receivers are seen as replaceable. Some of the league’s most decorated lineman such as Lane Johnson, Zach Martin, and Trent Williams have played more seasons for the team that drafted them. Even some of today’s bright stars at offensive tackle such as Penei Sewell have recently earned a big payday with others such as Tristan Wirfs waiting in line. There is also less margin for error if a team drafts a wide receiver over an offensive lineman. The Cincinnati Bengals were criticized when they drafted Ja’Marr Chase over Sewell, and while Chase’s potent chemistry with Joe Burrow led to a Super Bowl appearance, the Bengals have routinely had to retool their offensive line every offseason. As for the Lions who did take Sewell, they still managed to find an all-pro receiver of their own with Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round. More often than not, drafting an offensive lineman will leave a team with fewer questions and more answers. |
Date Published
February 2025
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