NBA preseason overreaction: The New York Knicks are good?
Heading into the first full season and with an offseason with new lead decision-makers, the New York Knicks were surprisingly good in the preseason and it’s not all fake noise.
The team played a total of four preseason games, two against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons so there’s the caveat of opposition strength there. But winning three of the four, including a final thrashing of the Cavs where they lead at halftime by 37 points, ending the game with a 36-point win.
What’s better is that the Knicks’ younger players look ready, excited, and actually… wait for it… good.
RJ Barrett averaged just under 18 points per contest and made just over 50 percent of his field goals despite only hitting 12.5 percent from behind the arc. He did it in just 30 minutes per contest which might be a cause for concern considering head coach Tom Thibodeau’s penchant to play his best players the most minutes.
Mitchell Robinson was up to his usual tricks that excites so much of the league, averaging 2.5 blocks per game and finishing two-thirds of his shot attempts. The best part is that when he gets into foul trouble, he has a just as capable backup in Nerlens Noel behind him who’s fitting in nicely and projects to help the big rotation next season.
And finally, it wouldn’t be a Knicks preseason section if I didn’t mention their first capable point guard in years with Immanuel Quickley. The 25th overall pick averaged 11 points in three contests and in the final game against the Cavs, put up 22 points with five assists and five steals.
I don’t want to speak too soon, but the Knicks have no bad money on their books, no overpaid past-their-prime superstars, and what looks to be bucketloads of good vibes on the bench. With a shortened season ahead and what might be one of the best draft classes coming up, things might be on the up for the New York Knicks.