The New York Knicks have been one of the best teams in basketball this season.
The Knicks are currently 36-18, third in the Eastern Conference and tied for the third-best winning percentage in the NBA at .667.
New York made two major moves prior to the season, landing Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns in blockbuster deals. Guard Jalen Brunson has followed up his top-five NBA MVP finish by averaging 26.1 points and 7.5 assists while shooting nearly 40% from three-point range.
Despite the gaudy regular season numbers the Knicks are putting up, one top NBA insider remains skeptical.
NBA insider insists New York Knicks not championship-caliber team
Speaking to ESPN Cleveland, NBA insider Brian Windhorst dismissed the Knicks as a serious playoff threat.
“I’m not staying up nights worrying about the Knicks,” Windhorst said. “I mean, in all honesty, I don’t think that they’re equipped right now to win 12 playoff games to win the East. Their team screams to me, great regular season team.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst doesn’t think the Knicks are “equipped” for a deep playoff run 😳 (via @ESPNCleveland) #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/CijAmL2nx5
— Fireside Knicks (@FiresideKnicks) February 19, 2025
The numbers support Windhorst’s assessment. Despite being 18 games over .500, the Knicks are just 11-12 against teams over .500 and have yet to defeat the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers or Oklahoma City Thunder — the three teams with better winning percentages.
Windhorst also criticized head coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation management. The Knicks’ current starting five — Brunson, Bridges, Anthony-Towns, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby — all play more than 34 minutes per game.
“Thibodeau plays the guys crazy minutes, which will catch up with them, no doubt about it. He knows that. They just don’t have a very deep team,” stated Windhorst.
The Knicks face a crucial stretch ahead. After Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls, they visit Cleveland on Friday and Boston on Sunday, with chances to secure their first victories against either team this season.
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