By Ryan “The Goose” Gosiker
Basketball is not a frequent topic I tackle in this space, but recent play has brought it to the forefront. The New York Knicks are currently playing a brand of basketball that warrants discussion and further comment. This was a team that reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season before losing to Miami in 6 games. It was the first season that Guard Jalen Brunson took the reins to run Tom Thibodeau’s offense. Brunson was stellar last season as the team saw improvements from RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Julius Randle was healthy for most of the regular season and added his usual stats. There were hopes and aspirations coming into this season, but with obvious limitations. The team was simply too small to compete with the likes of the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks. There was a clear ceiling for the team and that was the same spot they got to just a year ago. The pressure within the organization continued to mount as the doubt of Leon Rose grew by the day. They had finally built up a vault of assets from their years of being terrible. They had young talent in Barrett, Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, and the huge development of Mitchell Robinson. Robinson is, unfortunately, out for the foreseeable future with a foot issue. The team was sputtering and unable to make any further stride towards exceeding expectations. Then, their potential savior arrived on the scene. The Knicks and Toronto Raptors agreed to a trade in which the Knicks received OG Anunoby in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick. Since the New Year (a couple days after the trade), the Knicks are 9-2 with a +190-scoring differential. NY has quickly skyrocketed to a Top 10 defense since OG’s arrival. His offense has been a surprise since coming over. He stretches the floor and opens it up for Brunson and Randle. This team needs Mitchell Robinson back to advance far and they likely need one more piece to be contenders. They certainly have the capital to do something like that. They will need it because Julius Randle has an awful track-record in the postseason. He puts up gaudy numbers all season and shrinks when it matters the most. Can the Knicks and Jalen Brunson overcome it? That is the perfect question. The answer last year was no, but can Leon Rose put enough talent to make it a, yes? Time will tell, but the Knicks (outside of Randle) are extremely entertaining to watch and root for. Basketball is fun to watch in New York again! Check out my sports show: “Game Time with The Goose” every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 and on WGHT Radio with co-host Zach Kruk, Sports Director of WTBQ and WGHT!
