The New York Knicks season starts tomorrow against the Memphis Grizzlies, so the KFTV Writers decided to give their season preview takes.
The 2022-23 NBA season is here, which means a fresh start for the New York Knicks. There is a lot to look forward to and many questions that need answering. So the Knicks Fan TV Writers have responded to six questions that share our perspectives on various questions regarding the Knicks this upcoming year. Enjoy!
Who will be the Most Valuable Knick (MVK) for the 2022-2023 season overall? Why?
Gamba: As much as I want to go with RJ Barrett, this has to be none other than Jalen Brunson. It has been over ten years since the Knicks have had an effective point guard, and for the team to be successful this year, it must start with Jalen. Brunson’s job is to relieve Julius as the primary ball handler and to make the game easier for everyone around him. If the Knicks want to return to the playoffs or hope for the play-in tournament, it will start with Brunson.
Geoffrey: This might be a prisoner-of-the-moment response, but I’m going with Jalen Brunson. The bar for a competent floor general has been low, considering the Knicks’ history at PG, but Brunson has been impressive. He plays his own game and doesn’t get rushed. Jalen can get in the paint, make good decisions, and finish in traffic. I think he’s a 20-point-per-game scorer, and his impact on playmaking in the offense will also be huge.
Jalen: RJ Barrett. I think Brunson and Randle will play complementary roles as he takes another leap in his development. Plus, he will have to guard the opposing team’s best player every night again, which is another crucial task. You can read my RJ piece for more specific predictions, but I think he’ll make a strong case for an all-star appearance.
Remi: Hopefully, it’s RJ Barrett after taking another leap. The stage has been set for Broadway Barrett to truly emerge. He proved he could put up numbers last season, but Jalen Brunson’s presence will hopefully help with efficiency. It’s worth noting that RJ has looked more comfortable than ever this preseason, and that’s all we can ask for at this point.
Alex: Jalen Brunson. Even though he isn’t “the savior,” which has been stated multiple times, he brings stability, leadership, and calmness, especially at a position the Knicks have been looking to solve for so many years. With Brunson’s ability to play on and off-ball, score, and manage the offense, he will be critical to the Knicks’ success this season.
Luke: Jalen Brunson. Having an actual point guard will change this team’s whole makeup and identity. There were so many blown leads, crunch-time collapses, and offensive miscues last season that it made a tangible difference in wins that kept us out of the playoffs. So simply having a real, certified point guard is a game-changer for the Knicks.
Chip: Jalen Brunson. I think the Knicks will only go as far as their new point guard takes them. If Brunson hits with Randle and Barrett, the Knicks could have a special season.
Mike: Overall, I think it will have to be Jalen Brunson for this team to be successful. He starts our offense, gets people in the right spots, and knows when to pick his spots looking for his shot. While Randle has looked much better during the preseason, Brunson initiating the offense instead of him makes sets run smoother. Even if RJ ascends to all-star status, the Knicks’ first real PG in 20 years will be at the center of anything they accomplish.
Who will be the Most Improved Knick this season? Why?
Gamba: Enter Isaiah Hartenstein — the center who recently signed with the Knicks over the summer by way of the Clippers. With little positional competition, Hartenstein will have a prime opportunity to build statistically off of every stat from the previous season. He is also the only player on the roster who is considered a “stretch 5.” So look for an increase in three-point production and playmaking from the backup center.
Geoffrey: RJ Barrett. I’m not sure if Barrett will ever be a great shooter, but I believe his free throw attempts and percentage of free throws made will improve. Also, I think his finishing in the paint will be better. Stronger performance in those two areas will keep RJ in all-star conversation.
Jalen: It’s between Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, but I’m gonna go with IQ because I don’t think Obi will get the minutes to show his improvements. I think third year Quickley will make strides in his shooting efficiency, finishing, defense, and playmaking as (hopefully) the first guard off the bench.
Remi: Grimes feels like an easy choice here. For all the promise he showed, injuries derailed his momentum and left his stat-line lagging behind the eye test. But with Grimes missing the preseason, we’ll need to see him stay healthy to live up to expectations. A safe alternative would be Immanuel Quickley, who looks more muscular, faster, and more prepared than ever.
Alex: RJ Barrett will be the most improved Knick this season. Last season went haywire because of Kemba Walker underperforming, Randle taking a massive step backward, and Evan Fournier trying to find his groove in the starting lineup. This season, it’s established that Brunson, RJ, and Randle will be the main three options (and we saw that in preseason). I expect a lot of the scoring to come from Randle and RJ, and we already know what type of player Randle is when he’s on. For RJ, if he can be efficient, if the jumper is falling consistently, and if he can defend at a higher level than last season, RJ will start looking the part of a franchise player.
Luke: Quentin Grimes. Health willing, it’s only a matter of time before he takes Evan’s position as starting shooting guard and becomes the ideal 3&D player we need, or possibly something more.
Chip: RJ Barrett. After signing a new contract extension, RJ needs to make another leap in his offensive game. He averaged 20 points per game last season but 23.6 points per game from January 1st thereon. Keeping his scoring average around that mark for an entire season will require him to become more efficient. The front office didn’t believe RJ should be untouchable in a Donovan Mitchell trade. I think he’ll ease the pain of losing out on Mitchell with his performance this season.
Mike: I will say RJ Barrett. While I expect/hope many of the young players improve; I have seen the most potential for growth from RJ. All offseason, I felt that by tidying up a few minor aspects of his game, RJ could become an all-star. While the East is loaded, especially at wing, I have seen enough in the preseason to know that RJ has improved as a finisher, free-throw shooter, and shot selector. That should boost his efficiency, which has been the main reason for discrediting the 22-year-old. While other Knicks may improve, I do not think their leap will be as critical to team success as RJ Barrett’s.
Who will be Mr.4th Quarter this season for the Knicks? Why?
Gamba: I believe this title will belong to none other than one RJ Barrett. Moving past trade speculations and the Knicks’ loyalty to him, New York invested in his future with the organization to the sum of a four-year $120 million extension, making him the team’s franchise player in the process. But more than that, his work ethic and dedication, which he spoke about during an interview with Knicks Fan TV’s very own CP “The Fanchise,” will lead to him surprising people with his fourth-quarter production. Not to mention he will have players on the floor willing to find him.
Geoffrey: Jalen Brunson. I think he will eventually become the unquestioned leader of this team and, as a result, will be trusted during those clutch moments of the fourth. Again, not saying he will always take the shot, but he will decide who takes the shot.
Jalen: Jalen Brunson easily for me. He can score in isolation from all three levels and draw fouls. I don’t think RJ’s offensive game is as reliable as Brunson’s just yet for down-the-stretch moments. And unless Randle has a mismatch, they’ll probably live and die with Brunson.
Remi: I have a feeling that fourth quarters is when Jalen Brunson’s presence makes the most significant difference. The Knicks were prone to second-half collapses all last year, but now we have a point guard. Brunson is here to give everyone an edge. So I’m hoping the rest of the team responds, but Brunson should be the catalyst.
Alex: This is a tough question because New York hasn’t had a consistent fourth-quarter demon. But I’ll go with Immanuel Quickley because he’s known to catch fire during crunch time. That is a reason why he closed so many fourth-quarter games over the past two years for Tom Thibodeau. Last year, Quickley led the team in fourth-quarter minutes (9.1) and points (4.9), and the season before that, IQ was fourth in fourth-quarter minutes (7.4) and third in fourth-quarter points (4.5).
Luke: Immanuel Quickley. Quick has shown a knack for crunch-time scoring, and now that he is more comfortable in his role, I expect to see him closing out more games than last year. His ability to heat up fast and hit tough pull-up threes can really change the momentum. Hopefully, he has learned from some of the horrible end-game shots he took last year, but I feel that more of those will go into the hoop this year. RJ is a close second since we know how clutch he can be, and we will certainly need his scoring prowess and toughness to grind out the end of games. Let’s hope he hits those free throws.
Chip: Immanuel Quickley. Quick scored more points in the fourth quarter last season than all but eight other players in the NBA. This might be wishful thinking, but Quickley’s proven himself a clutch player. He needs the opportunity.
Mike: While I would love for it to be RJ, I feel it will be Jalen Brunson. He always has the ball in his hands, has closed in big moments in the playoffs, and can get to his spot whenever he wants. However, if RJ takes the leap many feels is on the horizon, he will have his fair share of opportunities to be a featured guy on a nightly basis. Regardless, the chain of command starts with Brunson, and I expect it to be no different in crunch time.
What aspect of this team are you most excited about entering the season? Why?
Gamba: Three names; Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle. Granted, it was the first preseason game of the season, this trio answered questions of on-the-floor chemistry and efficiency to the tune of 52 combined points through just three-quarters of play with “true shooting” percentages of 70.6 percent (Barrett), 68.9 percent (Randle) and 88.9 percent (Brunson). What was even more impressive was only two turnovers between the tree and none for Julius Randle. If these three play anywhere near this level through four quarters next season, no one will be referring to them as the “Mid-Three.”
Geoffrey: I’m excited to see how Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes develop. The addition of Brunson will be vital for all three players. However, I think Grimes will be the most impressive of the bunch.
Jalen: Having a point guard will allow them to play much faster as a team, which benefits everyone on the roster. I expect the team’s pace to be at least middle of the road, finally. More fastbreak opportunities translate to easier baskets, which they’ve struggled to get for years, and more Obi highlights.
Remi: The second unit has a chance to be electric. Derrick Rose’s return can’t be understated, and IQ and Obi have seemed to improve. Hartenstein gives this unit impeccable spacing to boot. Whether Grimes or Fournier winds up with this group, they’ll be poised to do damage to most backup squads.
Alex: I am excited to have a point guard. Finally, having someone to organize the offense, control the pace, AND SCORE will help the Knicks compete on a different level than we have seen before.
Luke: I’m excited to see a Knicks team built from the ground up. We’re seeing young guys grow, learn, and hopefully elevate. It will also be nice to watch a point guard that can shoot threes, break down defenses, and share the ball for once. I also hope to see somewhat of a redemption season from Julius Randle.
Chip: It has to be RJ. If you’re all in on RJ Barrett, you must believe this is the season he will pop. He finally has a point guard to set the table for him. There’s no reason to think he won’t continue to improve, as he has done just that throughout his first three seasons.
Mike: It’s RJ’s world. I love watching his game improve every year, coming back more polished and one step closer to becoming the player he expects to be. For me, I am just excited to see him continue to attack the challenge. While I expect the Knicks to be a solid team this year, I do not have any large team expectations, so my focus shifts to the franchise’s future.
What will the Knicks’ record be in 2022-2023? What led you to this conclusion?
Gamba: I know I am going to hear it for this one. The Knicks will finish with a record of 47 and 35. Gamba chill! Hear me out, though! Last season the front office determined that the Knicks needed more offense to improve a roster that went 41- 31 prior. That team came in, took its lumps (Kemba Walker Era, Alec Burks as Point Guard, D-Rose Injury, Nerlens Noel Missing), and finished 37-45. In the process, they revealed the potential of a 3&D player in Quentin Grimes, tapped into the ceiling of Obi Toppin, and found an efficient three-point threat in Evan Fournier. This year you bring in Jalen Brunson, an improvement over Elfrid Peyton, Kemba Walker, and Alec Burks. You then sign Hartenstein to replace Noel, who was crucial in the playoff year but absent when the Knicks missed altogether. Add all of that to the ascension of RJ Barrett and the supporting cast. 47-35, and keep the receipt.
Geoffrey: 42-40. Overall, the Knicks are a better team than last year, and I think most of the players fit better. However, Brunson, RJ, and Randle will struggle to figure out where all three players land in the pecking order of the offense. I think it’s possible that this could lead to Randle being traded unless he’s genuinely left last year’s version of himself in the rear-view mirror.
Jalen: Not too confident, but I think they’ll go 43-39 this year. The Knicks went 37-45 with Alec Burks starting at point guard for about half the season. Their point differential per game ended up at -0.12, so they were a .500-level team with some bad luck, blown leads, and poor execution down the stretch. I think a point guard like Brunson, who can control the game, and a center like Hartenstein, who brings some offensive versatility, will make a huge difference. Oh, and the young players should get better, too.
Remi: 42-40 is my guess. They have the upside to outperform that figure thanks to a ton of depth and plenty of players that might improve. But we’re looking at a talented Eastern Conference without much margin for error.
Alex: 42-40. The Knicks have talent and depth, but the Eastern Conference is tough.
Luke: 43-39. As I said, there were so many games last season that we lost because we literally didn’t have a point guard. I’m confident that having Brunson can elevate us to an above .500 team. I am tempted to jump more out of the window, but I was a fifty-burger kind of guy last season, and well…it ended in a state of starvation.
Chip: I think the Knicks will win 41 games. They won 37 games last year but dramatically improving that total involves a lot of what-ifs. New York has gone under their preseason win total in four of the previous five seasons (excluding the shortened 2019-20 season), with the 41-win 2020-21 season being the only one they went over. However, after missing out on Donovan Mitchell, I think the expectations are lower this season (like for 2020-21) which should help the Knicks win 40-plus games again.
Mike: 43-39. While there are a lot, and I mean A LOT, of questions surrounding this team, I believe in the nucleus. While Thibs is very annoying at times, he can still scheme up a defense, especially when the team has buy-in like the Knicks appear to have. Brunson will make things easier for everyone on the team (however, I’m not too fond of the fit of Fournier starting next to him). Also, with teams tanking and one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, the Knicks will sneak above .500.
Where will the Knicks finish in the Eastern Conference Standings? Why do you think that? Explain your answer.
Gamba: Top 6 Seed. If you made it this far, you already know I am predicting a 47-35 record. The only thing standing between the Knicks and the top spot of the East is the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Geoffrey: 7-8 Seed. The East is really good. I like our team, but I need to see them gel in the regular season first.
Jalen: 9-10 Seed. I expect the Heat, Celtics, Bucks, 76ers, Hawks, Cavs, and Nets to be better than the Knicks this season, barring major injuries (or breakdowns in Brooklyn). The Raptors, Bulls, and Wizards are around New York’s level, so if at least one of them is better, that will put the Knicks at the backend of the play-in.
Remi: 9-10 Seed. I have the Knicks in the 41-44 win range, which would land them somewhere between 7 and 10 last season. So I’ll play it safe with a 9 or 10 seed.
Alex: 7-8 Seed. When I look at the current state of the Eastern Conference, the top six teams should be (in no particular order) the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers. I expect the Bulls, Hawks, and Raptors to be in the play-in. The bottom teams who will be tanking for Wembayama are the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Orlando Magic. That means the Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards will compete for one of the final play-in spots. I expect the Knicks to get there because they’re better than the Wizards and Hornets, and the Knicks should probably win some games they’re not supposed to because they’re a balanced and deep roster than the Hawks and Bulls.
Luke: 7-8 Seed. The Hawks, Heat, Nets, Bucks, Celtics, and Sixers are all better teams talent-wise. The middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference is always a bloodbath, so I foresee the Wizards, Raptors, Bulls, Knicks, and Hornets battling it out for the remaining playoff/play-in seeds. We have seen a lot of organizational instability this year, and there always seems to be some drama heading into a season that can affect a team’s play. Perhaps we can position ourselves better, so long as we’re not the ones with sex scandals or abusive teammates.
Chip: 9-10 Seed. The East is really good. I think the Knicks are good enough to get a top 8 seed, and there is always at least one team in each conference that underachieves, but I think a play-in spot is the most likely outcome for this team.
Mike: 9-10 Seed. While the Knicks have shown promise in the preseason, I am worried that they do not have enough or comparable top-end talent to compete in the East. To reach a top 8 seed, I feel like the Knicks will need RJ to be an all-star adjacent player, with Brunson falling into a similar category and Randle thriving as a third option. There are a lot of ifs involved in that scenario, hence why I feel like the bottom of the play-in is more realistic.
Any remaining thoughts heading into the regular season?
Gamba: Everything I have stated so far is contingent upon one man: Tom Thibodeau. Will he continue to prove to be unbending and stuck in his ways or show he can be flexible with adjustments and lineups? Granted, he did win Coach of the Year two years ago; the clock is ticking on the “Thibodeau Era.” Making and having success in the playoffs will be the critical factors in what happens for New York’s head coach at the end of this season.
Geoffrey: GO NEW YORK, GO NEW YORK, GO!
Jalen: Normally, it would suck to be in this “no man’s land” again as a low-seeded playoff team with a late lottery draft pick, but the preseason alone has shown us that having a true point guard can completely change the outlook of a franchise. It feels like Brunson and Barrett can be the foundational building blocks for the near future, and as long as Thibs sticks to his word and the young players have more prominent roles, this season can be a successful year of much-needed development. And who knows? Maybe they’ll have another cinderella story-type season like 2020-21. Or perhaps they’ll underachieve and get a higher lottery pick in this stacked draft. There’s a lot to be optimistic about either way.
Remi: I feel Leon Rose will look aggressive in the market this season. This front office can’t afford a second consecutive letdown season. They still have that stockpile of draft capital and a few positional logjams to sort out as well. Thanks to Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and the Thompson twins, the league ought to have more sellers than buyers. That means opportunistic front offices might come out of the trade deadline as big winners. Rose tried for Ivey and Mitchell in the off-season, and he’ll be back at it if the right players are available.
Alex: I think this team will be highly competitive. Even though I have them at a 42-game win total, I expect this team to win some games that we may not predict. This team is poised to take another step competitively (especially if they remain healthy) because of the continuity of this roster and coaching staff.
Luke: I’m just excited to see them play again. I feel like the energy heading into this season is good so far, and I think we will see a tough, hard-working, unselfish team as we did in 2020-21. Ah shoot…there I go being optimistic again. I hope this doesn’t bite me in the butt again.
Chip: What Geoff said.
Mike: After watching the preseason, I am skeptical of the roster construction and how players pair together. Fournier in the starting lineup feels pointless to me, and so do Rose’s minutes at times. I struggle to see how any player on this team is having their skillset maximized being on this team, and that’s an issue, especially when you are already facing a talent disparity compared to the rest of the conference. There will be a lot of positives with this team, but it’s clear they are stuck in no man’s land right now. While that is not always awful, I am not sure the Knicks’ have a plan to fix it.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out the latest Knicks Weekly, where CP, Alex, & Geoff discuss season expectations!
