National Basketball Association

New York Knicks Are Legitimate Eastern Conference Contenders

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:32 p.m. ET

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Will the New York Knicks still be contending in 2017-18? It’s hard to say. In 2016-17, however, the Knicks will contend for the Eastern Conference crown.

The New York Knicks are going all-in on the final years of Carmelo Anthony’s prime. It’s comforting that his game projects to translate well to his elderly seasons, but Phil Jackson seems to believe Anthony can lead New York to victory in the short-term.

Though the critics are circling the Knicks like vultures, there’s reason to believe New York can be a legitimate Eastern Conference contender in 2016-17.

Jackson has built a roster that’s as promising as it is concerning. There are injury risks and off-the-court issues, but New York has a core that’s of a high enough caliber to compete against any team in the Eastern Conference.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Jackson understands that chances have been taken, but he believes they’ll be worth it.

It’s hard to argue with the latter half of that statement.

The Knicks finished the 2014-15 regular season with the worst record in franchise history at 17-65. It was a tanking job by the front office, which resulted in New York selecting Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Unfortunately, Porzingis’ sensational rookie season wasn’t enough to get the Knicks back to the playoffs.

After finishing the 2015-16 season at 32-50, it became abundantly clear that New York needed to make significant changes. That’s exactly what Jackson did, as Anthony and Porzingis are the only remaining starters from a season ago.

Even the head coach, Derek Fisher, and sixth man, Langston Galloway, were replaced by Jeff Hornacek and Brandon Jennings.

The question is: have the Knicks done enough to become contenders in the Eastern Conference? The answer is: yes.

Jan 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) grabs a rebound during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Chicago Bulls won the game 115-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

5. Controlling The Glass

One of the most valuable strengths a team can have in the NBA Playoffs is the ability to win the battle on the boards. Defense is physical come the postseason, which makes producing offense a tedious task.

Teams that can either create or limit second-chance scoring opportunities tend to fare well in such environments.

The evidence: Oklahoma City and Cleveland ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in rebound differential during the 2016 NBA Playoffs, and both gave the Golden State Warriors fits.

It’s not vital for a team to excel on the boards in the modern era, but it’s a strength that can bust small-ball sets. For the New York Knicks, that makes the presence of its current crop of frontcourt players all the more intriguing.

Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah are elite rebounders for their respective positions, and Kristaps Porzingis projects to be the same.

Anthony was No. 2 amongst small forwards with 7.7 rebounds per game in 2015-16. Porzingis was No. 2 amongst rookies in rebounds per game and No. 6 in offensive rebounding, and Noah has career averages of 11.5 rebounds and 4.1 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.

Coupled with Willy Hernangomez’s tenacity on the offensive glass, the Knicks should be one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA.

Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) defended by New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

4. Dribble Penetration

The New York Knicks won 32 games in 2015-16. That’s quite the feat when one considers the fact that the Knicks had the single worst group of penetrating guards in the NBA—and it’s a compliment to even call them penetrating guards.

The Knicks ranked dead last in the NBA in drives per game, points via drives per game, and assists via drives per game during the 2015-16 season.

There are quality teams that produced limited numbers off the drive, but no team was as abysmal as the Knicks. New York scored 3.3 less points via drives per game than any other team in the NBA in 2015-16.

New York had 4.4 less drives per game than any other team in the NBA in 2015-16, as well, which limited any chance of its shooters getting open along the wings.

In 2016-17, the Knicks have a head coach and a trio of guards who should help it improve upon its fatal flaw. Jeff Hornacek is a master at creating driving lanes for his guards and Derrick Rose was No. 9 in the NBA in points via drives per game in 2015-16.

Brandon Jennings can run the pick and roll, and Courtney Lee can create off the bounce, which gives the Knicks a combination that should make offensive execution significantly more manageable in 2015-16.

Mar 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

3. Interior Defense

The New York Knicks boasted one of the most dominant interior defenses in the NBA during the 2015-16 regular season. The truth is in the numbers: New York was No. 1 in the Association in defensive field goal percentage at the rim.

Though a 32-50 record implies that the interior defense wasn’t strong enough to win, it’s important to note that New York was 22-22 through 44 games.

Going 10-28 the rest of the way is discouraging, but the 22-22 record establishes that New York was doing something well enough to be a factor in the postseason hunt. Its flaws—primarily its guard play—forced the team to collapse down the stretch.

Its interior defense, however, gave the Knicks a chance to overcome dreadful guard play and make the playoffs—and in 2016-17, there will be superior balance.

Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah should be just as effective, if not more so, than KP6 and Robin Lopez were. Courtney Lee and Lance Thomas should help anchor the defensive perimeter, and even the inconsistent Brandon Jennings and Derrick Rose should be better than Jose Calderon.

Between the interior defense and Noah’s vocal leadership, the Knicks’ defense should be strong enough on its own to reach 35-to-40 wins—an intriguing truth considering its improvements in other areas.

Nov 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek against the Orlando Magic at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Offensive Versatility

The New York Knicks hired Jeff Hornacek as head coach in an attempt to modernize the offense. It was a necessary move for a Knicks team that got into its sets far too slowly to properly execute the triangle offense in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

With Hornacek running the show, New York’s offense should be a well-rounded force that executes with efficiency in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Carmelo Anthony, No. 29 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, is the centerpiece of the Knicks’ offensive attack. He can score from the low, high, or mid-posts, and can attack off the bounce, work off-ball, and exploit teams as a catch-and-shoot marksman.

With Kristaps Porzingis expected to continue his rapid development into a star-caliber player, the Knicks have two scorers who can pour in points from anywhere in the half court.

New York now has a trio of playmakers and a coach who can improve the offense. Brandon Jennings, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose are all capable facilitators, and Hornacek ran a Top 10 offense in Phoenix.

The Knicks have the firepower, star power, and ingenuity to run one of the most efficient offenses in the Eastern Conference.

Aug 10, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; USA forward Carmelo Anthony (15) reacts against Australia during men’s basketball preliminary round in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

1. Hunger & Accountability

As previously established, the New York Knicks project to have one of the most dominant interior defenses in the NBA. That alone is reason to believe the Knicks will have an opportunity to make the playoffs in 2016-17.

What makes the Knicks a true contender in the Eastern Conference, however, is a combination of hunger and accountability.

The Knicks are a veteran team with established players who are hungry for success. Carmelo Anthony, Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose have all made deep postseason runs, and all are accepting nothing less than a championship as success.

That hunger should be the foundation for New York working to improve upon any and every flaw that may present itself in 2016-17.

Beyond the hunger is the next stage in turning dreams into reality: accountability. With a team that shares a hunger, those who fail to carry their weight will be held accountable and called out by both players and coaches.

In other words, if the Knicks’ season begins to slip away, this veteran team won’t let that happen without addressing the proverbial elephant in the room.

There may be teams with superior athleticism or upside, but the Knicks are a team flush with veterans who have something to prove.

Every team wants to win, but the hunger in New York shouldn’t be matched in 2016-17.

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