“New York Knick’d Up Too Soon.”
As the season ended, New York couldn’t overcome their own list of
Injuries. In a season which has seen many ups and downs, the style of play ran
This team onto the floor of Madison Square Garden. Not even Spike Lee.
Could direct the outcome of losing in a seven-game series to Indiana. It’s
Part of the game, but fatigue, attrition and all the makings doomed New
York.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau coaches a physical style of basketball. If
You grew up watching the NBA in the 1980s and 1990s. You know where
I’m going. Tough, ruthless, in your face basketball for forty-eight
Minutes to the point of exhaustion. It’s Thib's main objective since
Becoming a head coach. Looking back at his tenure in Chicago and how it
Ruined Derrick Rose’s career. Playing guys every minute without giving
Them a breather and letting them recover from injuries is detrimental to
His tenure. You can’t expect players to be ready in a short span without
aggravating an injury.
In a league with all the sports science and technology, Thibs has failed to
Evolve as a head coach. Yes, his defensive schemes can win games at
What expense of the players sacrificing their bodies to push it to the
Extreme limits. Guys playing through injuries, giving their all to advance
And ran out of gas. You can’t play this brand of basketball eighty-two.
Games and push the pedals further onto the floor. New York fans were
expected to challenge rival Boston; but we won’t see it until who
know? Jalen Brunson has outplayed and delivered in this current
Contract, which will be the first order of business once June 29th arrives
And contracts can be agreed on.
Josh Hart gave all the heart he had but could barely move. Dante
DiVincenzo played big but was unable to carry the Knicks to a respectable
Finish. OG Anunoby playing with one hamstring, Mitchell Robinson,
Julius Randle all hurt when they needed extra players.
As they prepare for the offseason, New York will have decisions to make.
With their roster as Isaiah Hartenstein, Alec Burks and Shake Milton are
Free agents. Randle will be back for at least one more season from a
Player option for 2025-26 is likely to be picked up. Anunoby’s situation is one
They can’t afford to lose upon trading R.J. Barrett and Immanuel
Quickley for Anunoby from Toronto. He’s going to break the bank and
Secure as much as possible beyond 2025. Injuries will limit the negotiations
But if he can bounce back in 2025, it can pay dividends.
They’ll have very little room to work with, but New York has shown
Their seriousness about winning now. General manager Leon Rose has
Building a team that can compete and are willing to do whatever it takes. To do
This, do they give Thibs a contract extension as well? Are they sure?
About Thibs’ ability to evolve and keep guys healthy in April and
May arrive? A team who made back to back playoff appearances since
The 1990s is a strong sign of consistency. Guys are banged up and
halfway gassed with nothing left in their legs. Would New York be open
to bringing a young head coach in 2025? If they run it back with Thibs,
it’s a very short runway to win now with this current roster and salary
cap limitations. They’ll be active but a short margin of error is against
them moving forward. This offseason will be one Knicks fans can be
optimistic or disappointed with. It starts and ends with head coach Tom
Thibodeau’s future beyond 2025.
Stai tuned.
