The feeling that New York Knicks fans have at this moment is nothing short of confusing. Jalen Brunson is putting together the best season of any Knick since Carmelo Anthony was on the squad. New York is currently the four seed in the east, giving them a home-court advantage in the first round if the playoffs ended today. While this alone makes the Knicks contenders, there is more than meets the eye. Julius Randle has missed over a month with a dislocated shoulder and has no concrete return date. Last Tuesday, OG Anunoby suited up for the first time after missing all of February, but will now sit out multiple games with an elbow flare-up. A question Jonathan Groff best posed in Hamilton: “What comes next” for the New York Knicks?
This team’s best-case scenario is a title run, which is altogether plausible. Donte DiVincenzo has shot the three-ball at a high level this season. The 27-year-old has made 216 shots from beyond the arc, 25 away from passing Evan Fournier for the single-season franchise record. DiVincenzo was originally expected to be a role player who could space the floor and get 10 points a night, 15 if the Knicks were lucky. Regardless, the guard has shattered expectations, averaging 15 points a night, including an excellent February, which saw him contribute nearly 22 points per game. DiVincenzo is a significant question mark for New York heading into the postseason. While he has been thriving as of late, is this success sustainable under the bright lights? While his past playoff struggles with the Bucks and Warriors will raise some skepticism, many factors went into those less efficient numbers. DiVincenzo was never a relied-upon weapon, playing alongside the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry. As a result, the guard was lucky to put up five shots a night and his opportunities from beyond the arc dwindled.
Now, let’s consider a high-pressure contest where he was relied on heavily: Villanova’s 79-62 win over Michigan in the 2018 National Championship. While this game seems like it happened eons ago, this matchup perfectly showcases DiVincenzo’s clutch gene in extended time on the floor. Despite not starting for the Wildcats, he stole the show at the Alamodome. He finished 37 minutes of work with 31 points on 10-15 shooting, including a 6-10 line from the charity stripe. Contrary to popular belief, DiVincenzo’s bag extends beyond the three-point line, and this performance demonstrates those abilities on a high level. While he has not been putting up 31 points a night for the Knicks, the raw talent is there — he just needs a platform to perform. For the first time in his professional career, DiVincenzo will have a chance to showcase his talents, and with the injuries plaguing this team, the Knicks need him to do so.
Another player who has performed well as of late is Josh Hart. While the 29-year-old has not been lighting up the scoreboard, his performance defensively and down-low have been remarkable. Hart was initially recruited to rebound the ball, set his teammates up offensively and play above-average defense, all of which have improved as the season has progressed. Take this month, for instance. Hart is averaging 13 rebounds a game as a 6-foot-4 guard, not unlike UConn All-American guard Tristen Newton. While Hart is not as efficient of a shooter as Newton, he makes up for it with his playmaking ability; in his last 10 games, he leads his squad with 6 assists per game. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4vg-UAu7Vy/
Since Randle and Anunoby went down, Hart has averaged around 40 minutes per game. When the duo returns, Hart will lose playing time and most likely be relegated to the bench, although what he has accomplished puts the squad in an excellent position to win.
Brunson has played more minutes than any of his teammates, and while the squad needs him more than ever, giving the 27-year-old occasional rest is invaluable. If the Knicks get up big against a lesser opponent, then running Hart for longer makes sense. As crazy as it may sound, the Knicks will need Brunson on the floor for around 40 minutes a night in the playoffs. He is just that good, and in do-or-die situations, he is the player New York needs with the ball in hand.
Randle and Anunoby will most likely return before the playoffs, with Anunoby already making strides towards suiting back up. This duo’s return would be massive, although the only thing New York needs to do at this point is to hold onto the No. 4 seed. Anything better is possible, with only three games separating them and No. 2 Milwaukee, and on top of that the Knicks have one of the easiest schedules to close out the season.
The Villanova boys have been cooking. If the trio can keep up what they are doing, by the time Randle and Anunoby return, they’ll make a convincing case to upset the likes of Boston. The season’s final stretch is always nerve-wracking, although Knicks fans shouldn’t stress too much. The team is getting healthier by the day and key players have been ramping up their games. The only thing to be nervous about is how Randle and Anunoby look when they return. However, both are NBA veterans, and they have the benefit of Brunson being the first option. This takes pressure off them, letting them play their own games.
Despite it feeling like the sky is falling at times, the Villanova boys have put this Knicks squad in a solid position to compete. When Randle and Anunoby return, the general consensus is that New York is ready to compete for a Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, even if they’re not expected to win.