“Blowouts in the playoffs. That’s a different level” — Bill Simmons thinks this is the best time to be a Knicks fan in 30 years - RAW CHILI

In today’s NBA, title contenders usually fall into two categories. You either have a consistent powerhouse like the Oklahoma City Thunder — a team that has boasted the best record since Day 1 — or a squad that catches fire at just the right moment and rides on that momentum to chase the Larry O’Brein trophy. Right now, the New York Knicks clearly belong to the latter.

And according to Bill Simmons, there hasn’t been a better time this century to believe in the Knicks than this very moment.

“I like what I’m seeing – blowouts in the playoffs. That’s a different level,” Simmons said on his podcast. “They look really good. I think this is probably the best time to be a Knicks fan since 1994. Where you feel, ‘Holy s–t, we have a real chance.’”

The 2026 Knicks have caught fire

What makes the 2026 Knicks’ surge so intriguing is how unexpected it feels. Coming into the season, the Eastern Conference looked wide open. The Indiana Pacers, who represented the East last season, were without Tyrese Haliburton; the Boston Celtics had no Jayson Tatum and had completely revamped their roster.

So, on paper, it looked like the best opportunity for the Knicks to assert themselves. Yet during the regular season, things didn’t fall into place. There were visible issues with the rhythm and cohesion, as evidenced by Karl Anthony-Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges all seeing their scoring averages dip compared to last season.

Then, in the playoffs, when the hyped, new-look Atlanta Hawks took a 2-1 lead over the Knicks, frustration only grew. As many felt that yet another season had gone to waste, the players flipped the script completely.

The Knicks didn’t just respond — they started bullying their opponents. They blew out the Hawks by 16 points in Game 4, 29 in Game 5 and an astonishing 51 points in Game 6 to close out the series.

Moreover, they left an even more astounding statement in the second round against the Tyrese Maxey-led Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did they not allow any opponent to reach the 20-point-per-game mark, but they also clean-swept the Sixers (winning two games by margins of over 29 points).

Safe to say there was no better way to reach consecutive Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, in a more dominant style.

The 2026 Knicks have a good chance

For years, New York has cycled through superstars — from Stephon Marbury to Carmelo Anthony — who failed to translate that into sustained postseason success. This time, however, the aura and optimism are different.

This team isn’t just talented and deep, but it’s peaking collectively at the right time. Additionally, they have the right mix to not only make it out of the East but even beat teams like the Spurs and Thunder — teams with rare depth — in the championship round.

New York came as close to just three points in beating OKC during a regular-season contest. On the other hand, they humiliated a 62-win Spurs team, including Victor Wembanyama, with a 25-point win in March 2026.

So, the Knicks might not have been the most consistent team all year. But they look like one of the most confident teams right now.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.