Knicks Media Day

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 20: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on March 20, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

It feels longer than two years but that is when the Knicks shocked everyone and made the playoffs as a four seed. All of New York was screaming about how the Knicks are back, only to go back to the team we thought they were.

Last season the Knicks struggled and finished 37-45. Some reason why they struggled, the experiment with Kemba Walker did not go well. Walker was supposed to come in and be the guy he was in Charlotte dropping in big-time buckets but that was not the case. By the middle of the season, Walker was out of the lineup for good. Coach Tom Thibodeau will only play guys that can play defense and that messes up the rotation. Part of the reason why Walker was not playing as much.

Julius Randle had a great year in 2020-21, he shot 41% from three and 42.2% with jump shots. His play earned him an All-Star spot and All-NBA honors. Last season he took a huge step back. He shot 31% from three and 32.6% with jump shots. His inability to be comfortable going right limited him. All defenses could see what was coming every time they pushed him right, he would turn the ball over. Switching it up could help him out a lot this season.

There are a few bright spots for this team, RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Jalen Brunson. Barrett’s name was at the core of trade rumors when it seemed like the Knicks would go all in on Donovan Mitchell before the Cleveland Cavaliers took him. Barrett has steadily improved his scoring from 14.3 points per game his rookie year to 20 per game this past season. Toppin has shown when he gets minutes, he will make them count. In the 10 games he started last season he averaged 20.3 points per game and seven rebounds. He shot 57.1% from the field and 43.6% from three. If Randle does not play better Toppin could take those minutes and make Randle expendable.

Brunson came in through free agency, he was the backup point guard for the Mavericks and played well. When Luka was out for three games in the playoffs last season Jalen Brunson played well especially putting up 40 against the Jazz. Brunson can come in and set the offense and score. It will be interesting to see how he will fit in Thibodeau’s offense. The addition of Brunson is good but it will not take this team deep in the playoffs. Their ceiling will be a play-in team and if they can get wins there then they will be an early first-round exit.