The 2023-24 NBA season has been an exciting one to this point for the New York Knicks. Despite some major obstacles that needed to be overcome, the team has found themselves in a great position in the postseason.
They earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, winning 50 games. The only other team to reach that number in the East was the Boston Celtics. Head coach Tom Thibodeau deserves a lot of credit for getting the most out of a team that didn’t have Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson in the lineup for large chunks of the season.
With so many key players sidelined, others had to step up in their place. One of the players who answered the call was Donte DiVincenzo. Signed during the 2023 NBA offseason as a free agent, many people thought it was a nepotism deal, as DiVincenzo played collegiately with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Ryan Arcidiacono, who were already on the roster.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: John Starks, Walt Frazier, Donte DiVincenzo, New York Knicks Updates
The naysayers were proven wrong almost instantly. Divincenzo proved to be an integral part of the team’s lineup and saw his production skyrocket when he was inserted into the starting five permanently in early December.
With Randle and Anunboy sidelined, two of the team’s top offensive options, DiVincenzo took his game to another level. He was aggressive, looking to take pressure off of Brunson. His 3-point shooting was integral to spacing the floor but he could also get to the rim and create in the paint with his athleticism and playmaking.
That has led to Knicks legend and current color commentator Walt Frazier making a bold comparison for DiVincenzo. Frazier has seen a lot of players come and go throughout his time in New York and believes the team’s current shooting guard is reminiscent of another former electric guard; John Starks.
“He’s the second coming of John Starks man. He’s tenacious like Starks & hellacious…creates a little havoc on defense, excellent at getting in the passing lane, huffing & stuffing…can ignite a crowd,” Frazier said, via a Q&A with Steve Serby of The New York Post.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: John Starks, Walt Frazier, Donte DiVincenzo, New York Knicks Updates
Starks was a fan favorite throughout his eight seasons with the Knicks, whether it was in the starting five or coming off the bench. Like DiVincenzo, Starks was an energizer for his teams at the shooting guard position, mixing solid two-way play with clutch shooting.
Also like Starks, DiVincenzo now has a highlight that will live on forever. Starks has the dunk against the Chicago Bulls during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals; DiVincenzo now has the 3-pointer to put New York ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their first-round series in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Sitting courtside and celebrating DiVincenzo’s shot was none other than Starks. He was there with other Knicks legends Carmelo Anthony and Latrell Sprewell, cheering on this year’s squad as some of their biggest fans.
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