The New York Knicks entered the 2024-25 NBA season with high hopes and expectations.
Trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns were big moves.
Though they haven’t always looked like true title contenders, especially against other top-notch teams, the Knicks should be very dangerous in the playoffs.
With plenty of time to prepare for postseason opposition, analyst Stan Van Gundy likes their chances.
“I think they are legitimate contenders in the East,” Van Gundy said, via SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Do the Knicks have what it takes to make a deep playoff run?@realStanVG tells @BGeltzNBA and @SamMitchellNBA he thinks they do. pic.twitter.com/t2y63dcB8m
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) February 1, 2025
Van Gundy said that Mitchell Robinson’s eventual return from injury will greatly enhance their chances.
The Knicks have a very talented roster that plays hard, and their chemistry and synergy are evident.
They also have some issues to address.
On the one hand, head coach Tom Thibodeau has rarely trusted his second unit.
He usually runs his starters into the ground, and the team can look gassed when it matters most.
In addition, their star players have yet to prove themselves in the postseason.
From a talent perspective, there’s no reason to believe the Knicks won’t be among the best in the East when the regular season is over.
But the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t going anywhere, and the Milwaukee Bucks also pose a major threat.
Whatever the case, the Knicks look to be in for a huge second half of the season and perhaps a playoff run for the ages.
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