The New York Knicks are 12-8 and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.
The team entered the season with the third-highest odds of winning the NBA championship for the 2024-25 season but has shown some growing pains with its new roster.
The new additions to the Knicks’, notably Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, have taken some time to adjust to their new roles. Towns, for one, has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers this season, averaging 26.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Pairing him with guard Jalen Brunson has been one of the team’s smartest off-season moves.
The Big Bodega Bodes Well for NY
Towns is a better fit alongside Brunson than former New York Knick Julius Randle.
Randle was a ball-dominant player, whereas Towns can impact the game in many ways. He doesn’t always need the ball to be effective. Towns’ off-ball play and floor spacing allow Brunson to operate more freely. He gives New York the dominant big man that they lacked last season. With Brunson averaging 25.6 points, the duo might be headed toward the history books. They’re on track to be the first duo to average at least 25 points per game since Shaq and Kobe in the 2002-03 season.
Despite the personal accolades, the team is still underperforming with inconsistent outings.
Bridges Adjustment Taking Time
During the offseason, the Knicks traded away five first-round picks to acquire one of the NBA’s best two-way players.
In the preseason, Bridges debuted a bizarre new jump shot, a shot that looks drastically different from the one he had with the Brooklyn Nets. It’s safe to say this new shot form isn’t serving him well. He’s averaging a mediocre 15.9 points per game & is shooting a career-worst 30.8% from three-point range.
For two seasons, Bridges was the first option for the Brooklyn Nets. He posted near All-Star numbers, averaging 21.2 points per game while shooting 44.7% from the field and a solid 37.3% from three. It’s taking some time for the star to adjust to his role. He’s no longer the first option, and with inconsistent shooting outings, it’s unclear how well he fits with this team.
This isn’t the player the Knicks traded five first-round draft picks for, but he still has time to find his rhythm. They don’t need Bridges to be their top scorer, but they need consistent shooting from him.
Bench Woes
Another big issue for the Knicks is their bench. Their team ranks last in the NBA in points per game off the bench, averaging just 20.2 PPG. With a lack of production from their bench, the starters are left to carry the offensive load.
New York needs a contributor off the bench— someone who can shoot the ball at a high percentage down the stretch and help the starters with some efficient scoring. Miles McBride has shown flashes of potential but hasn’t delivered consistent results. The Knicks may look to sign someone during free agency who can provide reliable scoring off the bench.
The Knicks need consistency from Bridges and their bench. Period. Until that happens, this team won’t make it out of the Eastern Conference, especially with the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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