The New York Knicks have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby headline the Knicks’ starting unit, while Jordan Clarkson and Miles McBride are notable second-unit contributors.
However, the Knicks, who fired Tom Thibodeau following an Eastern Conference finals appearance in favor of Mike Brown, have yet to put it all together this season.
The franchise boasts a 2-2 record and hasn’t looked like a dominant force on either end of the floor, prompting Golden State Warriors four-time NBA champion forward Draymond Green to suggest they aren’t legitimate contenders.
“Personally, the Knicks, I just don’t believe they’re contenders,” Green said Thursday. “I don’t think they have what it takes to win at the highest level.
“I think you can stifle their offense and make it hard on them, and I just think ultimately, the guys that don’t want to defend – it makes it tough to win at the highest level.”
Although the Knicks and their fanbase may not want to accept it, Green’s assessment is spot on.
If anyone knows how to win in the NBA, it’s the 35-year-old four-time NBA champion.
Until Towns wakes up (he’s averaging 17.0 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 35.2% from the field and 33.3% from deep), Brown’s lineups improve, and the organization finally hunkers down defensively, they’ll be a tier below championship contention.
Luckily, the 2025-26 season is still young, and with a few tweaks, the Knicks could start making serious noise at the right time.
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