New York Knicks
Compared to the likes of the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz, many may not consider the New York Knicks to be real title contenders, but this team is legit! They finished last season ranking 3rd in the league in defensive rating and they gave up the fewest amount of points per game to their opponents during the regular season, but their lack of productivity on the offensive end of the floor was their downfall in the playoffs.
Now, after bringing in Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier in the offseason, this Knicks team is not only the same defensively, if not better, but New York now has an assortment of offensive weapons at their disposal now.
Walker and Fournier have averaged a combined 31.7 points per game this season and with R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle continuing to get better as young talents, there is no limit to what this New York Knicks team can achieve.
Julius Randle, the league’s reigning Most Improved Player, has begun the 2021-22 season better than anyone could have hoped for in New York, and quite honestly, he is right there with the likes of Jimmy Butler and Rudy Gobert in the early season MVP race.
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Through his team’s first 7 games, Randle is averaging 21.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.1 blocks and is not only shooting 42% from the floor but 37.5% from three-point range. Being able to literally do everything on the court for the New York Knicks, Randle is one of the most impactful forwards in the NBA right now and has shown no signs of slowing down.
The New York Knicks starting the year 5-2 is no fluke and they have picked up some very impressive wins early on. Losses to the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors look bad on paper, but they are overshadowed by great wins over the likes of the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Chicago Bulls.
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Finally having a balanced offensive attack and still being one of the better defensive teams in the NBA, the New York Knicks are back and do not be shocked if they wind up winning their first-round playoff series this year. This Knicks team claimed the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference last year and it would not be surprising to see them claim a Top-4 seed in the East once again.
