10 gut reactions after the first weekend of the NBA Playoffs

The New York Knicks are closer to winning a championship than we realize

Just watching Game 1 between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, one thing is clear – either the Knicks are closer to NBA title contention or the Cavs aren’t. I’m a positive man so I’d lean towards that the Knicks are closer to being a contender in the East than we realize. And that’s not something that I thought I would be saying at the beginning of the season. Nevertheless, here the Knicks are with a 1-0 series lead over the Cavs. And they’re just getting started.

The Knicks are only going to get better heading into next season and while it’s only been one game between these two teams, I don’t think it’s that insane to get a bit macro for a minute. The Knicks are in a great, great spot as a franchise. With as many trade assets as they have, it’s hard not to feel good about this team’s future heading into the offseason.

Will the Knicks be a championship contender next season? Who knows; that’s difficult to predict. They’re still a superstar away, but that acquisition and the final piece could be added this offseason. They’re that close.