When the idea of the NBA Cup was introduced, many wondered how predictive it would be of postseason success. Since its introduction two years ago, neither tournament champion has gone on to win a single playoff series, let alone the Finals. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, the winners of the first two NBA Cups, were both eliminated in the first round in the respective seasons they won.
This year, the New York Knicks, who were just crowned NBA Cup champs, have a chance not just to break the trend of early postseason exits, but to add another trophy to their collection.
New York’s Improved Roster
After making a run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Knicks addressed several areas of concern on the roster. New York was active in free agency, signing former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson and Olympic basketball standout Guerschon Yabusele. Together, they have helped elevate the bench production and provide veteran leadership.
Clarkson was a key catalyst in the Knicks’ Cup victory versus the San Antonio Spurs, knocking down clutch threes in the final minutes to take the lead.
Clarkson and second-year guard Tyler Kolek were the stars of the show in the final quarter. They revived their team with instant offense by easing the load off of Jalen Brunson, who was struggling.
Though currently nursing a shoulder sprain, Landry Shamet’s re-signing also helped bolster the team’s depth. His 36-point outburst off the bench against the Miami Heat in November exemplified the multi-dimensional scoring he adds. Drawing contact, knocking down threes, and attacking the rim open up the floor for others to penetrate to the basket and get off clean looks.
The new, emerging faces are a great development, but they can’t distract from the existing supporting cast that remains excellent. In the NBA Cup championship game, no one was more impressive than OG Anunoby. He scored 28 points on 5-of-10 shooting from deep while committing zero turnovers. While typically known for tough defense and electric athleticism, Anunoby has expanded his game to become more of a three-point threat. In 16 games played this season, the 28-year-old forward is averaging the highest three-point percentage of his career (40.8%) while maintaining a steady two-way presence.
The two-way versatility on the roster — between Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart — is what will propel this team.
The tournament games aren’t the only reason to believe that their win is a sign of what could come. What makes the depth of their roster so special is that they now have a coach who will utilize it.
Opportunities for Bench Contributions
Former Knicks Coach Tom Thibodeau’s obstinacy in playing his starters high minutes was a major issue that afflicted his teams down the stretch. By the time the playoffs had rolled around, previous year’s Knicks didn’t have enough fuel to withstand a title run.
With new coach Mike Brown taking over, his starters can be preserved by leveraging the talent on the bench. Running his starters into the ground was one of Thibodeau’s greatest pitfalls. But with Brown, the Knicks may actually have the physical and mental strength to endure a deep playoff push.
Brown’s decision to stick with Kolek and Clarkson down the stretch against the Spurs showed the trust he has in his bench and willingness to ride the hot hand.
As of Dec. 18, New York’s bench is 8th in net rating, with the combined reserves’ minutes averaging 81 minutes per game, per StatMuse. Last season, that number was just 63.5 minutes per game.
One concern with Brown’s hiring was the fear of sacrificing defense in pursuit of a better offense. The team has maintained a solid defensive rating at 10th in the league while boasting the second-best offensive rating.
After an initial adjustment period following the new coaching hire, the team has adapted to the fast-flowing movement offense that Brown implemented. Forcing the ball to move quickly prevents the ball from getting stuck, reinforcing quick decision-making. In addition, ball movement often leads to more off-ball action and easy cuts to the basket.
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The new style keeps opposing defenses on their toes and scrambling to cover, a difference that Miles McBride recognized before the season even started.
“A lot more player movement, ball movement,” Brown described of the new strategy. “Last year, at times, we got stagnant and we depended on a lot of isolation shots, which is tough down the stretch.”
A Chance at History
The Knicks have a shot at being the first team to win both the NBA Cup and the NBA title. With the star power of Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns leading the way, the squad’s ceiling is limitless.
A key part of their ability to maintain a high level of defense is Towns’ improvement on that end. His leap is a welcome sight for a player who has long been criticized for his deficiencies in that area. But just how good has Towns been?
He is second on the team in defensive rating, behind only Mitchell Robinson. Towns also fall in the 90th percentile of both scoring and defense (h/t @automaticNBA on X).
Coupled with Robinson’s interior defense and stellar rebounding, opponents have their hands full.
If the battle with the Spurs was any sign, the Knicks don’t need Brunson to put on superhuman performances to win.
The team announced that they will break the tradition of raising a tournament banner at MSG. The move isn’t to downplay the achievement, but rather to remain focused on the larger trophy they are striving for.
The Knicks can’t capture an NBA title in December, but what they can continue laying the building blocks for their ultimate goal —the prize that matters most.
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