New York Knicks seemingly set five-point success mantra for building "championship-caliber team"
The New York Knicks are legitimate championship contenders this season. After reaching the NBA Eastern Conference semis last season, the Knicks vastly retooled the lineup. The team lost Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo but added Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.
The Knicks’ starting lineup of Towns, Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby is probably the best quintet in the NBA. If they stay healthy, they have a good chance of dethroning the Boston Celtics.
A poster in the New York Knicks training facility, shared on X by the New York Basketball account shows a five-point mantra the players seemingly have to follow:
"Building Blocks for a Championship-Caliber Team"
“Who we are:
"Defend
"Rebound
"Low Turnovers
"Attack the Rim
"Share The Ball”
Coach Tom Thibodeau's apparent listing of defense on top of the priorities isn't surprising. He has built a coaching career putting that aspect as a No. 1 must-do in his stops at Chicago, Minnesota and New York. Thibodeau’s teams may not be the most talented but they compete on the defensive end.
Last season, the Knicks were sixth in defensive efficiency. The loss of Isaiah Hartenstein, who excelled in protecting the paint and the rim, could be felt. New York is reportedly listening to offers for Mitchell Robinson. If he goes, the team’s defense and rebounding could suffer.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who isn’t known for his defense, has played for Tom Thibodeau before. He must step up to sustain the New York Knicks’ defensive identity.
The New York Knicks need to share the ball better than last season
The New York Knicks(50-32) finished second in the East behind the Boston Celtics(64-18). Jalen Brunson and Co. reached that number despite averaging 24.2 assists per game, second-last in the entire NBA. Only the injury-plagued and inefficient Portland Trail Blazers (23.1 APG) were worse than them.
Considering their options on offense, the Knicks have to improve in that area this season. Brunson is arguably the team’s best scorer but Karl-Anthony Towns can give him a run for that title. With a lineup that includes Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and others, sharing the ball will be a top priority.
The Knicks might have a legitimate chance of winning the 2025 championship if they can execute Tom Thibodeau’s five-point plan.