New York Knicks: 3 encouraging signs for New York after unexpectedly hot start

3 encouraging signs for the New York Knicks in the midst of a “hot start.” 

A few things before we jump into the meat of this article. For one, you are free to laugh at this title. Though, for the New York Knicks, an 11-13 start is a hot start. And if you had the Knicks at two games under .500 roughly 25 games into the season, you’re absolutely lying. This start by New York is absolutely surprising.

Anyways…the Knicks are sixth in the Eastern Conference standings and just 2.5 games back of the fourth seed, which the Boston Celtics have at the moment. It’s absolutely insane. Generally, the Knicks are completely out of the playoff push by now. This season has been different.

And you should give credit where credit is due, Tom Thibodeau has done a great job with this roster and even has the Knicks playing a little defense. They’re ranked sixth in defensive rating this season.

To put that ranking into context, the Knicks haven’t finished a season with a top 10 defense since the 2011-21 NBA season. During that season, they made the playoffs. I’m not saying this team is going to make the postseason, but it helps when you are a good defensive team. That’s been evident through their 11-13 start to the season.

As the Knicks look to build off its hot start, we look at three encouraging signs this season. Even if New York can’t keep this playoff pace up throughout the remainder of the season, these are three things they can be encouraged by.