The New York Knicks are not going away, and are a true playoff threat.
After a stretch in which the New York Knicks lost five of six games, dropping out of the top 8 in the Eastern Conference standings, many were quick to call this team’s playoff chances. New York had gotten off to a good start, but it was clear that the team wasn’t a true playoff threat. Not yet.
However, almost surprisingly, the Knicks have bounced back from that stretch and have won five of its last eight games. New York has climbed back up to sixth in the East standings and continues to impress every night.
While the Knicks continue to be hit or miss on the offensive end – with the exception of Julius Randle, who has been absolutely vital this season for the team – New York continues to sport a great defense, ranking third in the league.
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And that might be the key to perhaps making the playoffs in the East, or at least remaining in the playoff race throughout the second-third of the season. New York has the best defense amongst East teams and will likely only get better as a unit as the season goes on.
The Knicks have relied heavily on defense and it’s carried them to a 14-16 record thus far. Randle has done much of the heavy lifting on the offensive end while averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists per contest on 48 percent shooting from the field.
Over the next couple of weeks, the Knicks also has a favorable schedule that could help keep them in the playoff race in the East. Over their next five games, they only face two teams with a .500 or better record.
If one thing’s certain about this Knicks team is that they are relentless. With Tom Thibodeau at the helm, this team is simply not going to roll over and quit. They’ve proved that through various rough patches over the course of the season thus far.
The Knicks keep coming back and could emerge as a real threat to make the playoffs. Especially as teams such as the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks (teams that were seen as locks to make the playoffs this season) continue to struggle.
And New York might not even be done adding to their roster ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. The Knicks have already been linked to several names in the rumor mill and could certainly emerge as buyers over the next few weeks.
I’m not entirely sold on the New York Knicks making the playoffs this year just yet, but they continue to defy the odds and might be the surprise team of the season in the Eastern Conference.