New York Knicks: Buy or sell the streaking Knicks as dark horse title contenders

Buying the New York Knicks as dark horse title contenders

Digging into the New York Knicks, there are several trends that suggest they could be a dangerous team once the playoffs begin. For one, they have high-level talent. Say what you want about Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barret but this is a trio that has produced and produced at a high level for the Knicks for the majority of the season.

Collectively, the Knicks’ trio is averaging 69 points, 19 rebounds, and 13 assists per game. Randle shoots at a 47 percent clip overall and at a 36 percent clip from 3-point range. Brunson shoots at a 49 percent clip overall and a 41 percent clip from 3. Barrett shoots at a 43 percent clip overall and a 33 percent clip from 3.

The Knicks also have a relatively strong supporting cast. Mitchell Robinson has been really good this season when he’s been healthy, averaging eight points, nine rebounds, and two blocks per game. Josh Hart (averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game with the team) has changed the team dynamic completely as he came over via an NBA Trade Deadline trade.

Then you have Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley that have been consistent contributors to the team as well. That’s not counting Obi Toppin, who could emerge on any given night.

The team also has a top-5 offense and top-5 net rating since December 30. Those are marks that are good enough to demand quite the attention heading into the playoffs. The Knicks also have a very good coaching staff, led by head coach Tom Thibodeau.

While it’s easy to question this team on so many levels, the way the Knicks have been playing would suggest this is a team to trust down the stretch. Even more so considering they are likely going to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (an unproven team) in the first round of the playoffs.

And once the Knicks get to the second round, they’re going to play a difficult team either way. So you have to trust how well the Knicks are playing (and have played) against the blueprint of any other team.

Though, you’d have to like the fact that the Knicks are 3-1 against the Boston Celtics this season. And we can ignore the team’s 0-3 record vs. the Bucks. Maybe the Knicks hope for the Celtics in a potential second-round series, considering they match up better against them than Milwaukee.