Knicks’ Playoff Reflection: Seeking Growth, Reshaping the Roster, and Embracing Brunson’s Brilliance”
Right from the start, I must admit, my prediction was off.
We may have lost, but we went down swinging. On paper, the Miami Heat seemed like a team we should have easily defeated. With a regular season series victory of 3–1, my hopes were high for a triumphant appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Alas, reality didn’t align with our aspirations, and we fell short with a 4–2 defeat.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Julius Randle. Over the past three seasons, he has been a spectacle to behold. His aggressive style of play, leading our team in scoring and rebounding at one point, and shouldering the load before the arrival of Brunson brought a surge of energy to our city and franchise. However, it’s time to consider a trade.
Randle’s previous playoff performance against the Hawks was nothing short of disastrous, especially considering he had been an All-Star that year, receiving accolades for his role in bringing New York basketball back to life. This year’s playoff run, alongside Brunson, painted a different picture. He often appeared disengaged from the team, lacking interest on the court, and truth be told, he didn’t resemble the dominant force we had grown accustomed to witnessing during the regular season.
The reasons behind this sudden shift remain unclear, but the Knicks franchise needs unwavering passion and fire throughout the entire season, not just during the brighter moments.
R.J. Barrett has faced his fair share of criticism, but for the most part, his performance was decent. However, shooting 1/10 in an elimination game is simply unacceptable. When we needed him the most, he seemed to vanish after the first quarter of game 6.
This off-season will be crucial for R.J. as he hones his skills on the court. The most pressing improvement he needs to make is driving to the basket in a manner that avoids being blocked or finishing weakly. Better body control and the development of moves that create maximum space for a shot are essential for his progress.
Consider players like Devin Booker, DeMar DeRozan, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They effortlessly navigate their way to their desired spots while also creating enough separation to get their shots off. These are the players R.J. should look to emulate and incorporate into his own game.
Lastly, let’s give credit where it’s due. Jalen Brunson displayed exceptional basketball skills, making Knicks fans worldwide burst with pride. If the entire team had matched his intensity, passion, and urgency, we might have found ourselves in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Looking ahead, the Knicks’ off-season moves will be a narrative unto themselves, once the finals conclude. Assessing the market and identifying players who align with our roster will be crucial. In the meantime, despite the absence of orange and blue skies, there is work to be done. The front office, the players, and even the G-League must collaborate to determine the best course of action for this Knicks team moving forward.
