Mario Chalmers isn’t buying the hype around the New York Knicks just yet. Speaking on 'All In,' the former Miami Heat guard explained why he doesn’t view them as true contenders and pointed to the frontcourt as their biggest weakness.
“Fading that,” said Chalmers on whether the Knicks are contenders. “They’re missing one more piece. I think they’re missing that dominant big. KAT is decent, he’s good for what he’s good for, but they need someone who can really block it and give them a presence on the offensive end as well as the defensive end.”
On paper, the Knicks have one of the best rosters in the league. In the backcourt, there's Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Miles McBride. Brunson is the star of the show with averages of 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game last season, but Bridges brings versatility at shooting guard as an All-NBA defender who can keep opposing backcourts in check.
On the wing, there's Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, a pair of solid two-way players who can play stifling defense but also score when needed. Hart is also an elite rebounder for his position, while Anunoby adds championship pedigree from his Raptors days.
For Chalmers, however, the Knicks' biggest area of need is at the center spot. Ironically, many fans would argue center is one of the Knicks' strongest positions, with Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Precious Achiuwa all competing for minutes. On paper, Towns is the most accomplished member of the team as a five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA player, and 2016 Rookie of the Year.
Last season, in 72 games for the Knicks, he averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on 52.6% shooting. He led the team in rebounds, was second in scoring, and was a major catalyst behind their run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Still, Towns is more of an offensive big man, and he lacks the defensive edge we're used to seeing at the position. Unlike other star bigs like Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, or even Giannis Antetokounmpo, Towns is much more of a specialist than a two-way big man, and he can often even be a defensive liability at times.
For Chalmers, not having that defensive anchor in the middle is a major flaw for the Knicks and ultimately holds them back from true contention in the East. The question now for New York is whether they stick it out with Towns or try their luck with a new center.
While the market is relatively limited for bigs right now, don't be surprised if names like Bam Adebayo, Myles Turner, or Clint Capela surface as possible solutions. With the right player down low, the team could be unstoppable and finally bring some joy to the fans who have been subjected to mediocrity for so long.
Ultimately, if the Knicks want to prove Mario Chalmers wrong, they’ll need to address the doubts about their frontcourt sooner rather than later. As talented as Karl-Anthony Towns is, his game alone may not be enough to push New York over the top. Until they secure that true defensive anchor in the middle, skeptics will continue to question whether this version of the Knicks has what it takes to win it all.
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