Hoops Habit
Fansided

New York Knicks: 3 reasons they’ll win a playoff series

By Luke Duffy

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks as the Knicks take on the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks as the Knicks take on the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
New York Knicks
Knicks (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Although they’re being forced to wait longer than they’d like, the New York Knicks are going to go back to the postseason for the first time since 2013. They will be doing so as the surprise package of the season, and it would not be a surprise if Tom Thibodeau wins the Coach of the Year award, as well as Julius Randle picking up the Most Improved Player honors.

It is a good time to be a Knicks fan, which is not a phrase that has been said a lot in recent years. A change in the front office last year bringing about a commitment to leaning into youth and long-term planning for success. Nobody, perhaps not even the Knicks themselves, saw such rapid growth, and Randle has been the catalyst for this.

The New York Knicks are heading back to the NBA playoffs, and there are three reasons to be optimistic that they can win a series once they get there.

The midseason addition of Derrick Rose has worked extremely well, and even players like Nerlens Noel and Reggie Bullock, afterthoughts in previous stops in the league, have turned into contributors here. Elfrid Payton remaining their starting point guard (Rose does close games) is a sore spot, but all things considered, this is an entertaining and competitive group.

But are they good enough to actually do anything once the playoffs begin? Although final seeding has not yet been determined, and that loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night did not help, if the Knicks can manage to remain in the top six teams, they are going to be a problem for anybody.

A first-round matchup with the Atlanta Hawks, which would happen if they managed to snag the fourth and fifth spots between them, not only represents the best opportunity for the Knicks to advance, but it would be such an intriguing series to watch. It is far from guaranteed, but here are three reasons Knicks fans should believe it can be a postseason that signals future intentions.

Home/New York Knicks