What a Time to Be a Knicks Fan!

After years of watching blowout losses, facing crushing disappointment over missing out on marquee free agents, and despairing over questionable personnel and player moves, Knicks fans can finally rejoice. In what was supposed to be yet another rebuilding year, the Knicks have shocked the world with their play. Headlined by the fiery leadership of head coach Tom Thibodeau and the emergence of All-Star forward Julius Randle, the Knicks currently hold fourth place in the Eastern Conference. While Knicks fans may be reluctant to do so, it’s finally time to be excited. Even LeBron James tweeted, “The league is simply better off when the Knicks are winning.”

This shocking turn of events can be traced back to July 30, 2020, when the Knicks announced the hiring of the defensive-minded Thibodeau as their new head coach, replacing interim head coach Mike Miller from the year prior. Just nine months later, Thibodeau has the Knicks playoff bound for the first time in over eight years with less than 10 games left in the season. Thibodeau’s impact is clear—the Knicks have ranked top five in defensive rating all season long with almost the same personnel as last year when they ranked 23rd in the same category. They also rank top 10 in each of the following categories: points allowed off turnovers, second chance opportunities, fast breaks, and points in the paint, making a great recipe for success. On the other side of the ball, the Knicks have prospered with the three-pointer, hitting the shot at a 38.7 percent rate, which puts them as fifth best in the league at doing so.

Spearheading this resurgence is forward Randle, who has blossomed under Thibodeau’s system. The seventh pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Randle spent four seasons with the Lakers and one season with the Pelicans before signing a three-year, $66 million contract with the Knicks before the 2019-2020 season. After struggling mightily in his first year as a Knick and being heavily criticized for his poor decision-making and high turnover rate, he has turned into the leader that the Knicks desperately needed and a legitimate candidate for Most Valuable Player after just one offseason. Randle has averaged 23.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and a remarkable 41.3 percent behind the three-point line so far this season. It has undoubtedly been the best single-season performance of any Knicks player since Carmelo Anthony’s legendary tenure. He attributes his rise to stardom to his former Lakers teammate, the late Kobe Bryant, who taught him valuable lessons about work ethic during his final years before retiring. “To get to the next level in this league, you can’t be putting in that next level of work only some of the time. [It] has to be all of the time. No such thing as sacrifice without sacrifice,” Randle wrote when describing Kobe’s mentorship.

At just 26 years old, Randle is the centerpiece of a young core that the Knicks ownership hopes can bring them success for years to come. Another essential piece of this core, RJ Barrett, continues to prove everyday why he was the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. Only 20 years old, the Toronto native has established himself as a reliable number two option behind Randle, averaging just shy of 18 points a game. At 6’6”, the slasher is able to get to the rim with his strength and continues to improve his outside shot.

Guard Immanuel Quickley has also asserted himself as a part of the team’s bright future. Being the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, many consider Quickley as the “steal” of the draft. He was projected to fall into the second round, but the Knicks were confident enough in his abilities to select him in the first. While viewed by many as a reach (the pick received a D+ by CBS Sports), it has certainly paid off. Quickley’s ability to draw fouls and shoot from long range was exactly the spark that the Knicks needed off the bench. Obi Toppin, the Knicks’ earlier first round pick, has also shown to be a solid piece to the young team. Despite the majority of the forward’s minutes being rightfully taken by Randle, the 23-year-old has been appreciative of playing alongside Randle and learning from him. “Him being like a big brother to me, I’m learning behind him every single day, and I feel like because of that I’m getting better,” Toppin remarked.

This season’s Knicks have also been aided by many veterans. Acquired via mid-season trade with the Detroit Pistons, 2010 MVP Derrick Rose has been integral in guiding the youngsters, mainly Toppin and Quickley, as well as providing valuable minutes off the bench. Thibodeau frequently utilizes the Rose-Quickley tandem during late game situations. Veteran Reggie Bullock has also materialized to become a 3-and-D player. Shooting 40.9 percent behind the three-point line, Bullock’s quick hands and ability to move without the ball in his hands are well-liked by the team. Additionally, Nerlens Noel has been extraordinary in replacing promising center Mitchell Robinson, who has been dealing with injuries. The defensive anchor is averaging 2.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, all while playing only 24 minutes a game.

For the first time in what feels like forever, the rejuvenated Knicks are fun to watch. Their recent streak of winning nine consecutive games is the Knicks’ longest win streak since the 2012-2013 season. It is, by far, the most promising sign that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The foundation is certainly there for the Knicks to begin to chase their first title in about half a century. NBA fans should be aware of the Knicks and join the bandwagon before it’s too late. New York is here, and they are here to stay!