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The New York Knicks are one of the big-market franchises in the NBA but have not had much success in the 21st century. Fans have trooped in year-in-year out to Madison Square Garden but have been met with disappointment following their team's failure to compete for the championship.
But things are looking up for the New York Knicks as they are gradually putting together pieces that would help them compete favorably. They have made the playoffs six times in the last 25 years, a rather poor record for one of the oldest franchises in the NBA.
For a team that has missed the playoffs in the last seven years, a fourth-place finish is impressive, especially since they finished the season with only eight wins behind the No.1 seed. While a first-round loss is something to be disappointed over, the fans took delight in experiencing playoff action once again.
That said, here are three reasons to be excited about the New York Knicks' future in the NBA
#1 The New York Knicks have the perfect blend of youngsters and veterans
The New York Knicks have exciting prospects, including Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. Although Quickley is still used as a rotation player, Barrett has secured his position as a starter with an exceptional sophomore season.
Barrett averaged 17.6 points in the 2020-21 season and shot an improved 40.1% from beyond the arc. While Quickley will play in the 2021-22 season as a rotation player, he is still a valuable member of the New York Knicks. In 64 games off the bench last season (three starts), he averaged 11.4 points while shooting 39.5% from the field.
To balance things out, the New York Knicks signed veterans Taj Gibson and Derrick Rose to long-term deals. Both players were part of the Chicago Bulls team that reached the 2011 Eastern Conference finals. Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker were also acquired during the offseason to help provide scoring options for the Knicks.
The combination of such youngsters and All-Star veterans could produce magic in the 2021-22 NBA season if put to good use and Tom Thibodeau is the right man for the job. Given how successful they were in their first run with the experienced head coach, things are looking up for the New York-based franchise.
#2 Tom Thibodeau's experience
Tom Thibodeau signed a five-year deal with the New York Knicks that will keep him with the franchise for the next four years. In his first season with the team, he achieved the unexpected, just as he did in his first stint with the 2010-11 Chicago Bulls team.
Thibodeau succeeded in building a formidable team with the out-of-favor Julius Randle and a few other "average" players in the league. Fortunately, Randle was the spark in the New York Knicks' resurgence, which also saw him clinch a spot in the 2021 All-Star game.
Although Thibodeau has not won a championship as a head coach, he is one of the best in the business. He has won the NBA Coach of the Year award twice in his 11-year run as a head coach, and is well known for his defensive acumen.
Thibodeau knows the mentality a championship team needs to have and is on his way to building that with the New York Knicks. The team has played as a unit and has prioritized defending.
#3 The New York Knicks have grown into a solid defensive unit
While good offense guarantees buckets, it is no secret that great defense wins championships. That was the case for the Milwaukee Bucks as their defense stifled the Phoenix Suns, and they capitalized on the other end of the court. For Thibodeau, it all starts with great defense and has successfully inculcated that in the New York Knicks players.
From being ranked 23rd in defensive rating during the 2019-20 season under David Fizdale and Mike Miller, they finished the 2020-21 season as the third-best team in defensive rating behind the LA Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. Nerlens Noel is the anchor of their defense, which is why the New York Knicks re-signed him to a three-year deal worth $27.7 million.
Noel finished the season ranked 1st in defensive box plus/minus (3.5), third in blocks per game (2.2), and 2nd in defensive rating (101.2). With such a presence in the paint, the New York Knicks have a decent chance of changing their fortunes, only if they get better offensively. The introduction of Fournier and Walker, both elite creators and scorers, will go a long way in helping the New York Knicks achieve greatness.
