The New York Knicks are slightly past the halfway point of the season. So the KFTV writers came together and gave their thoughts on the team.
Halfway through the 2022-23 NBA season, the New York Knicks has been one of the pleasant surprises around the league. Led by one of their youngest rotations in recent memory and a top-ten defense, the team sits at 25-20 at the midway point. Though the odds of the Knicks hanging a banner are slim this season, it will be exciting to see how far this team can go. Let’s dive into the KFTV writers’ opinions on the first half of the season.
What aspect of the Knicks’ season has surprised you most so far?
Remi: Thibodeau’s changes to the lineups have been a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect him to move Fournier out of the rotation entirely, and McBride’s promotion over Rose was a complete shock. I came into the season with skepticism that the youth would get honest opportunities, but Thibs has proven me wrong on that front.
Jalen: Their depth being an issue is a surprise, considering how many players I thought would deserve minutes entering the season. I thought for sure Cam Reddish would have a solid role on the team, at least as a scorer off the bench or something.
Alex: Quentin Grimes’ play has really impressed me so far. After sustaining an injury last season and beginning this one, the expectation was for Grimes just to be a 3&D player. However, Grimes is already that, and with the level of play he has shown, there appears to be more to his game.
Luke: This team never surprises me. No matter what, random players go off for career highs, leads get squandered, and crunch time leaves me reaching for my defibrillator. So at the start of the season, I tempered my expectations. I was afraid of succumbing to the hopium that perpetually plagues me. After half a season, surprisingly, they are better than the 2020-21 team… but not… *that* much better.
Mike: I have been most surprised by the overall continuity the team has found, especially in recent weeks. Entering the season, I struggled to understand how the organization would navigate the presence of Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose, along with my skepticism of the version of Julius Randle we would see. However, aside from the mystery shrouding Cam Reddish, an argument can be made that the organization has handled rotations and overall chemistry as well as it could have, including navigating injuries. I also had extreme doubts about Randle’s ability to return to any form of normalcy after the disaster that was last season, and yet he has somehow righted the ship.
Geoffrey: I knew Jalen Brunson would be good, but I didn’t think he’d be in the All-Star conversation, year one with the Knicks. His leadership and clutch play in the fourth are probably the biggest reason Tom Thibodeau still has a job. That being said, I’m also pleasantly surprised with Thibs’ ability to adjust and change during this season. He made Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose “situational” and shortened his rotation to 9 players, leading to our most successful stretch of the season.
Chip: It has to be Julius Randle‘s second bounce-back season. I didn’t think he had it in him to play at an All-Star level again, but he’s been dominant this season. The addition of Brunson has paid off for him more than anyone else.
How would you evaluate the performance of head coach Tom Thibodeau thus far?
Remi: Despite my praise in the last answer, I still place his performance slightly above average. The team hits all the marks in metrics for differentials and defense, highlighting Thibodeau’s good qualities. But I still see key players shouldering too many minutes and a general lack of in-game adjustments (disclaimer: I think his game-to-game adjustments have been better than his in-game work). Whenever the Knicks lose a close game, I worry about Thibodeau being out-schemed in a playoff series. But only time will tell as far as Thibodeau’s ability to navigate high-stakes postseason matchups.
Jalen: 7.5 out of 10. There have been some games (like the 145-point Thunder game or the 23-threes Cavs one) where I would’ve said 0 out of 10. But the adjustment to the rotation has really paid off, and the Knicks are competing in most games, especially defensively.
Alex: Tom Thibodeau has coached well this season. He is not the perfect coach — very few are — but he has changed some of his coaching habits. He is playing the youth, has staggered lineups, and has even played a small-ball lineup of Randle & Obi. Some may say that he’s only done this out of desperation, but that is only partially true. Regardless, this team is competitive, has a defensive identity, and has a winning record (as of now). He’s doing a decent job so far.
Luke: Tom Thibodeau is quite the paradox. He typically gets scapegoated for the players’ lack of execution. Or, he is criticized by fans who are so aware of the complex intricacies of the locker room that you’d think they snuck in through the laundry basket during halftime. Yet, despite some valid criticisms, he is doing a good job as head coach.
Mike: For who Thibs is and his style of coaching, this may be close to the best coaching possible job he could be doing. Let me be clear, he is not the long-term solution for this team, and his inability to adapt will be detrimental to the Knicks’ success if they can make a playoff appearance. However, there is no denying the elite nature of the team’s defense due to Thibs, despite the frustrating three-point barrages that often tantalize his scheme. He is a flawed coach, but he gets buy-in from players, and the Knicks have likely exceeded expectations to this point in the season, meaning Thibs is doing just well enough.
Geoffrey: Overall, it’s been positive. To be honest, I think you’re a hater if you believe otherwise, especially if you said that this was a .500 team before the beginning of the season. At this point, my only issues with Thibs are his 4th quarter offense (or lack-there-of) and playing Hartenstein over Sims. Besides that, he’s done a fine job.
Chip: I think every Knicks fan would’ve signed up for being four games over .500 in January. This team has two All-Star caliber players and is top 10 in net rating, but they’re only sixth in the East. The playoffs will decide Thibodeau’s future, but it’s hard to imagine New York wouldn’t be better off with a new voice.
Aside from Brunson’s addition and Randle’s revival, what or who do you feel is most responsible for the Knicks’ successes to this point?
Remi: Quentin Grimes has been critical in the team’s turnaround. His defense and spacing have become the glue for a starting lineup that’s winning matchups on a nightly basis. The team is markedly better since he returned from injury, and he seems to make the game easier for everyone else.
Jalen: Quentin Grimes. His ability to guard the point of attack and the best wings in the league has been vital to the Knicks’ success. And he’s the perfect off-ball player on offense for Brunson and Randle too.
Alex: I need to give Mitchell Robinson some love. Since returning from his injury this season, Mitch’s defensive presence has been instrumental for New York defending at such a high level. Yes, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Miles McBride have been factors in the team’s defensive success. But Robinson is the rim protector needed to make it all come together. Lastly, Robinson’s offensive rebounding gives New York second-chance opportunities to stay in games, whether it’s Mitch with a putback dunk or finding his teammate to get a bucket.
Luke: Tom Thibodeau. His switch to a nine-man rotation kickstarted an eight-game win streak and a positive record. He experimented with new lineups, made necessary changes quickly, and his defensive game plan has stifled opposing teams. Last year he was criticized for not “developing” the young guys. Clearly, every young player made tremendous strides over the past year. Shout out to Mitchell Robinson for eating offensive boards and continuing his high efficiency, RJ Barrett for overcoming his slow start with solid scoring numbers, and Immanuel Quickley for his ascendance as starter/sixth-man that closes games.
Mike: Defense, defense, and more defense. Grimes’ replacement of Fournier has exponentially increased the versatility and intensity of the Knicks’ defense, better complimenting Jalen Brunson. When paired with a healthy RJ Barrett, an engaged Julius Randle, and the best stretch of basketball of Mitchell Robinson’s career, the Knicks’ defense has taken a step forward. This is not to mention the consistent, active, and strong defense provided by Immanuel Quickley and Deuce McBride. Coupled with a middle-of-the-pack offense, you can win many games with this team’s style of defense.
Geoffrey: Tom Thibodeau. Say what you want about him, but he’s clearly adjusted and changed his preferred method of operating and it’s been to the team’s benefit. Likewise, IQ and Grimes have really taken a step forward. They also deserve a shout here as well.
Chip: It’s Immanuel Quickley, and there’s no longer a doubt. When Brunson went out, he stepped in and proved he could be a starting point guard. Good things always happen with Quickley on the floor, and his improvement on defense has made him playable as the starting two guard.
What are your expectations for the Knicks for the rest of the season? Where will they land in the playoff picture by the season’s end?
Remi: I think they’ll squeeze into the playoffs without a play-in game. That’s a firm fifth or sixth seed and a tough but winnable first-round matchup. This team has too much talent to be much worse than that, so I imagine their worst-case scenario is an eighth-place play-in seed. But injuries or trades can always change a team’s trajectory.
Jalen: They should finish as a top-8 seed. Ideally, they’ll avoid the play-in, and I think they have a solid chance to be better than the Pacers currently above them.
Alex: The Knicks will probably be a play-in team. I believe the top five will be a lock: Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers. That leaves the Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat to compete for the 6th spot and play-in. I believe the Knicks are, at minimum, a play-in team, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they earned a sixth seed.
Luke: I expect them to fight it out for any seed from four to ten. For a concrete prediction: they make the seventh seed and win. They won’t make it out of the first round. I also expect them to trade Rose, Fournier, Cam, or Toppin.
Mike: My expectation for the rest of this season is for the Knicks to maintain this style of basketball for the remainder of the season. I do not have any realistic expectations regarding playoff hopes or success, especially based on the matchups in the top half of the Eastern Conference. At the same time, I expect the Knicks to be a difficult matchup for whoever they face in the playoffs/play-in, and I envision them landing as likely the 7-8 seed.
Geoffrey: The Knicks have to get a top 6 seed and a playoff berth for me to view this season as a success.
Chip: I expect the Knicks to finish in the top five in the East and win a playoff series. Anything less would be a disappointment.
Who would it be if you could choose ONE trade target for the Knicks, big or small? Why?
Remi: I’d like New York to stick with their young rotation and keep their assets from now on. That paints my preferences in a more conservative light. My goal would be to land a bigger wing defender who can help when Grimes is undersized against a scorer. The obvious name is Jae Crowder for that role, but it’d be easier to add a player who wouldn’t mind a minor role. Nas Little isn’t much bigger than Grimes, but he’s got enough size and a smaller role that could fit with this roster if Portland keeps slipping.
Jalen: Kyle Kuzma. Regardless of what happens with Obi (I think he’s gone), they need a taller scoring wing with potential offensive and defensive versatility. He’d be a game-changer off the bench, especially for the playoffs. Who knows what his price is, though.
Alex: This is a difficult question because many trade targets don’t make sense except for Chris Duarte. And if I am bringing that name up, Obi is probably being dealt. Duarte makes the most sense because he offers some playmaking and shooting, which this team needs. But it would stink to lose Obi in that deal.
Luke: Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, or Kyle Kuzma would fill in nicely on the bench. There is no urgency yet to trade for a star, and I don’t want the starting unit to be disrupted by an additional player. A scoring wing would slot in nicely to round out the bench. Or… you know, they could just play Cam. (Side note: I know it’s not possible, but… #BringBackBurks)
Mike: The Knicks, in my opinion, need a wing with an elite wingspan and defensive ability, like Cam Reddish (*chuckles*). Their best defenders happen to be guards, which is helpful against dribble penetration but puts the team in precarious situations against teams with top-tier wing scoring. Adding more depth and versatility, in that sense, would provide a boost to an already elite defense.
Geoffrey: At this point, I would target a player that improves the team around the margins and adds shooting, such as Gary Trent Jr. or someone with that skill set. I’d prefer we wait on targeting a star until someone more attractive emerges.
Chip: Bradley Beal. Go all in. The East is wide open this season. If you wait too long, you might miss your shot.
What are you most excited about looking ahead to the second half of the Knicks’ season?
Remi: I’m glad to see this roster healthy again. They were rolling before Brunson and Barrett’s injuries, and it was no coincidence their recent losing streak continued with those guys out. New York weathered the injuries, but the second unit has suffered. I was eager to see the latest version of IQ rejoin that group once Barrett returned. So now that RJ is back, I’m most excited about the team being healthy and rested after the All-Star break.
Jalen: Brunson and Randle finding a rhythm with RJ Barrett, and I think RJ is still important to their offense. Just him playing gives everyone more rest and keeps an offensive threat on the floor the whole game. The injury was unfortunate—he was on a roll right before it.
Alex: Learning more about this nine-man rotation once everyone is healthy. Unfortunately, Obi went down in the second game Thibs made that change. Then, Brunson and RJ went down, and we had to watch the Randle show. But now Brunson is back and doing his thing, and Obi just came back against the Bucks. And now that RJ is back, I am intrigued to see what this team looks like once they find their groove.
Luke: I’m excited for another foray into the postseason. Madison Square Garden was electric the last time they made the playoffs. I still can’t help but smile when I rewatch the highlights of RJ dunking over Bogdonavic or Obi Toppin soaring through the sky to yam down an alley-oop. Whether it is in the playoffs or the play-ins, the Knicks will get there. They may not get far, but they will get there–and that’s worth something… I guess.
Mike: I have really enjoyed watching the Knicks’ young players continue to grow along with Jalen Brunson’s stability. I look forward to this continuing throughout the rest of the season and, hopefully, into the postseason. As they continue to find confidence and continuity with one another, the young players as a collective can reach another level which is the only thing that truly matters for the future of this organization.
Geoffrey: Everything. Jalen Brunson’s continued ascension as one of the NBA’s best point guards. Julius Randle’s redemption tour. RJ Barrett becoming a serviceable shooter and secondary creator/scorer. IQ and Grimes developing into long-term pieces for the team, and Mitch becoming the backbone of our defense and cementing himself as a pillar of this team going forward.
Chip: Seeing what Jalen Brunson can do for an entire season. Is he an All-Star, All-NBA, or MVP-caliber guy? We don’t know yet.
What concerns linger for you regarding the Knicks’ second half?
Remi: I still don’t see a path to surpassing the East’s top four. It’s tough to envision beating the Celtics, Nets, or Bucks in a seven-game series. The Cavs and Sixers are beatable, but they still feel like uphill battles. This squad needs another leap from a young player or one or two more pieces. I prefer to stay the course, even if it means a first-round exit. The young guys are showing growth, and star trades are always tricky to pull off.
Jalen: Thibs’ stubbornness. Even with the 7.5 rating I gave above, there are several moments where he gets outcoached, refuses to make adjustments, or plays a guy either too much or not enough. I’m also worried that Brunson and Randle will break down at some point due to their heavy minutes.
Alex: New York has relied on isolation basketball when going down the stretches of games. While I understand that Brunson is more than capable of big performances in crunch time, it is not a sustainable way to win games, especially against top-tier teams. I am curious to see if there is more of a team-oriented game of basketball now that everyone is healthy.
Luke: There are quite a few: a lack of bench scoring, horrible late-game execution, and a general inability to hang with the league’s upper-echelon teams. No matter how well they do, they’re destined for a first-round exit if they make it that far.
Mike: Aside from my skepticism of Thibs’ overall coaching, I am concerned and pretty confident that the Knicks’ do not have the talent to make real noise down the stretch. Brunson can compensate for many offense deficiencies, but it would take a continued resurgence from Randle and fringe all-star quality play from RJ for the Knicks to have any chance of winning a playoff series, let alone a playoff game.
Geoffrey: The Knicks (more specifically Thibs) needs to develop a better fourth-quarter offense outside just iso Randle or Brunson. Teams are innovative, and they will formulate defensive schemes to address that.
Chip: Everybody staying healthy is the only thing that comes to mind. You always worry about that when Thibs is the coach.
Moving forward, which Knicks’ young player are you most excited about? Why?
Remi: Quentin Grimes has shown a better first step and great reads on his trips past defenders. When he gets into his bag, he shows signs of pull-up jumpers and a more diverse offensive approach. I now see why Grimes was a prized asset in trade discussions, and I think he has more untapped potential than anyone realized when New York drafted him.
Jalen: RJ’s still the third youngest on the team (Keels, McBride). Do you know that meme of him and the calendar? It’s getting to that time of the year when he annually looks like a star.
Alex: Quentin Grimes, for the reasons I stated earlier. I am curious to see if he can add some shot creation moving forward. If that happens, then New York really has someone special.
Luke: Quentin Grimes is only at the beginning of his ascension. GIVE HIM MORE TOUCHES!
Mike: For me, this answer will always be RJ. However, in his absence, it is impossible to overlook the contributions of Immanuel Quickley to the Knicks’ success this season. He has transitioned very well to play on or off the ball alongside solid defense all season. Especially now that his shot is falling again, IQ is a pivotal part of this team’s success and mentality.
Geoffrey: Quentin Grimes. He has a potential steal of the draft trait about him that I don’t think I’ve seen in a while on the Knicks. I think he’s capable of more ball-handling and scoring off the dribble that we’ve seen from him. Excited to see how he progresses.
Chip: Immanuel Quickley. He proved he could pick up the slack without Brunson and Barrett. With both guys back healthy, I’m excited to see how he’s used for the rest of the season.
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 analysis and fan reactions for the recent matchup between the Knicks and Toronto Raptors!
