No, they are not title contenders.
No, they are not good enough to make a deep playoff run.
No, they don't have a clear Top 10 player, alpha-dog, first-team All NBA player.

But

Coach Thibs is changing the culture!
They play some defense!
Julius Randle is an all-star!!
There is a buzz in their fan base!!
RJ Barrett is developing and has improved in most/all statistical categories in year 2!!
The have $20m in cap space for this season, and have room tons of cap space for next season!
They have two first round picks and a couple of second round picks in the 2021 draft!!
Immanuel Quickley is a surprise rookie!!

Julius Randle emerged as an all-star this year. A 25-10-5 a night player. The Knicks can pick up his option next year for $20 million. It was expected last season that he would be a trade chip, but he had played himself into a discussion about deserving a max contract. This time next year, the Knicks will either pony up a long-term contract for Randle or deal his expiring deal. Should be interesting.

RJ Barrett has improved in FG%, Points, minutes, FGA, FGM, Rebounds, and Assist (and cut dowm on turnovers). I don't think he will ever be a top 10 player, but he can become a very strong #2

Obi Toppin has been a bust. Not totally his fault though. Noone expected Randle to have this type of all-star year. Randle's jump has been Obi's downfall. No summer ball, an early season injury, and limited minutes has stifled his development. He is someone to watch closely because his fate is tied to Randle. If Randle continues to shine and earns a long-term deal, I can see Obi traded at next year's trade deadline. If Randle stumbles, Obi will have his shot at success.

Alec Burks has earned a second contract. Not a star, but a solid player that can score when called on.

Immanuel Quickley has cooled off from his hot start, but still provides a spark when he enters the game. He is a scorer. There aren't to many of those on the Knicks roster.

Mitchell Robinson is an enigma. Sometimes a stud in the paint. Other times has hands of stone and disappears. He is also injury prone. Robinson is someone worth extending.at the right price.

There are a handful of expiring contracts. Some will be wise to bring back. at the right price: Derrick Rose, Kevin Knox, Taj Gibson, Nerlens Noel, and Reggie Bullock



In the end, Randle and Barrett fit better as the second and third best players on the team. What they need is a top 10-15 players as the star, go-to, prime-time player. (Don't all teams need this!!!)

They have the space to add a max contract (Say Bradley Beal), lock up Randle, and hopefully add one more starter (say Lonzo Ball to run point, which is a big weakness this season)

Well, the Knicks have hit the skids!! Losers of 4 out of 5. 25-26 overall.

Knicks have dropped down to the 8 seed, but just 2 games back in the loss column from the 4 seed.

A big game on Wednesday against the Celtice, who currently hold the 7 seed.

Randle is still putting up big numbers, but they are starting to feel like empty calories!!

RJ Barrett continues his improved season. Usually very solid with an ocassional clunker.

Immanuel Quickley seems to have cooled off the last couple of weeks.

Obi Toppin seems to have put together a few solid performances, despite his limited minutes (about 10 a game).

Tough loss against the Celtics in Boston. Knicks fall 99 to 101 and now stand at 25-27.

Randle is in the middle of a cold streak. Also seems to be nursing a hammy!!

Knicks miss Mitchell Robinson in the middle. He is not an all-star, but he is an athletic shot-blocker and rebounder.

Quickley has cooled off as the league seems to have caught up to him after a hot start to the season.

RJ Barrett went off tonight. 10 for 14. 6 for 6 on three-pointers. Finished with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists.

Barrett continues to be improved in year 2 in all major statistical categories.

PPG - 14.3 TO 17.5
FG% - 40% TO 45%
3-FG% - 32% TO 38%
FT% - 61.4% TO 73.5%
Rebs - 5.0 to 5.9%
Assist - 2.6 to 3.0

Turnovers are down slightly


He is 14 for 20 in the last 5 games from 3. He is not a sharp-shooter, put he puts in the work and it is showing in his play.

Knicks have won 3 in a row to get back over .500. Now stand at 28-27.

Prior to the Laker game, in the last 6 games RJ Barrett is 14-20 from 3!!! Obviously that won't hold (and didn't against the Lakers) but if he can settle in at 40% that is a major addition to his game.

Knicks currently in the 8 seed, but just two games back (in the loss column) of the 4 seed.

I'm excited for some meaningful Knick basketball!

Win Streak is up to 7 in a row! Longest in the NBA currently!!

Big game tonight against the Hawks. Hawks have the 4 seed and a 1 game lead in the loss column.

Let's get it!

Knicks had their 9 game win-streak snapped last night by the Suns.

They still hold the #4 seed, but are now tied with the Hawks in the loss column (28). Celtics are currently the six seed (29)

Well, the playoff series against the Hawks was a DUD!!!

The Hawks were just better. Trae Young is a nightmare to deal with. Clint Capela owned the paid. The Hawks role players are just better than the Knicks.

Randle was bad.
Barrett did not step up.

Overall though, it was a very good season to be a Knicks fan. They were pretty much playing playoff games since the all-star break, jockeying for seeding and avoiding the play-in games.

The off-season should be very interesting. They will have a ton of cap space, but how do they use it?

The Free Agent class doesn't pack the punch to get the Knicks over the top. Randle will be on the last year of his deal, so you know he will be pushing for a re-up. Is he worth it though? Not at the expense of costing the team the option to add a true #1.

I love RJ Barrett, but there is a ton of room for growth. Can he become more athletic? Improve speed? Find a pull up jumper?