Karl Anthony Towns can be a huge factor for the Knicks as they open the playoffs. Photo courtesy of the NBA
The last time the New York Knicks played the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA playoffs, it did not go so well
But as my Gotham Sports Machine podcast co-host Jack Healey reminds us,” Those were two completely different teams.”
He’s right, of course.
The Knicks’ 2021 playoff run, their first since 2013, signaled a dramatic shift in the team’s identity under coach Tom Thibodeau.
Finishing the 41-31 season as the 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, the team was defined by its newfound physicality and defensive intensity, spearheaded by the emergence of Julius Randle as an All-NBA caliber star.
Despite limited capacity, the passionate atmosphere at Madison Square Garden heralded the long-awaited return of playoff basketball to New York.
Except Atlanta’s Trae Young didn’t get the memo, leading the Hawks to a resounding 4-1 series upset over the Knicks, averaging nearly 30 points and 10 assists per game.
The Knicks, including Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Derrick Rose, were unable to contain Young, leading to a series loss. The impact of this defeat lingered into the next season, as the team failed to make the playoffs, prompting Leon Rose to begin restructuring the roster.
Well, for one thing, Young won’t get the chance to repeat his performance as Atlanta traded him to Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert back in January.
The Hawks’ offense is now spearheaded by Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels, with the goal of setting the offensive pace. Their efforts are bolstered by McCollum at point guard and the presence of Jonathan Kuminga coming off the bench.
Fortunately for the Knicks, their roster, featuring Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, is well-equipped for the upcoming challenge.
Coach Mike Brown’s bench possesses the necessary depth, including a healthy Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride, alongside Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson. This allows Brown to maintain a disciplined seven or eight-man rotation, avoiding the errors of the past where Thibs overextended his starters, even during periods of poor performance.
Brunson and Towns are the key, as Jack Healey spoke about during our podcast this week. “If they can keep playing that pick and pop effectively, the series will be over in five games.”
Some “experts” don’t agree, as Jack also pointed out, including Colin Cowherd.
Cowherd recently said that the New York Knicks are not true title contenders, calling them an “unsustainable” team similar to a “fidget spinner” fad. He stated that Brunson is “very good” but “not great” or “that guy” needed to lead a championship team.
Well, my money is on Jack and Brunson, for that matter.
Jack reminded me that Cowherd was the guy who said in 2018: “I look at the NBA, which I’ve watched for four decades, and I say this now with Ben Simmons, ‘Hey LeBron, we are good, bro. You can go. You don’t have to. You can hang around. Still great, but you can go. We’re all good here.”
The Knicks are the better team, and they will win this series in five games, says Jack, and I agree with him.
To watch the Gotham Sports Machine’s Hawks-Knicks Preview episode of the podcast, you can scan the QR code or visit https://youtu.be/SubXm7FxzKU?si=omIUsGbg5RxvPO5W