It’s fitting, the Knicks reaching their most challenging point of the season in March. March is the most volatile of months, said to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb; after a dominant October through February the Knicks are 1-3 this month and play five of their next six on the road. It hasn’t exactly been the MGM roar from the MSG cats of late.
Jalen Brunson is out a while with an ankle sprain, and if he does show up for the playoffs and doesn’t look like himself — the way Julius Randle hurt his ankle two years ago, came back early for the playoffs, struggled, hurt the ankle again and came back anyway — maybe focus more on what he did that he could and not what he didn’t that he couldn’t. Maybe don’t dump on the guy if he struggles, which he’s likely to. Some of you are thinking “Well Brunson’s got helluva lot more capital with Knicks fans than Randle did,” a sure sign some of you are either young to have seen or too old to remember Patrick Ewing hearing boos at the Garden. Or Mariano Rivera at Yankee Stadium. Just don’t be dumb.
Instead, be creative! Be expressive! Shoot me a mailbag question or comment! The last time I posted an invite I got exactly zero responses, so honestly if you have _anything_ in mind, do share — odds are it’ll be selected. Maybe with the captain absent and minutes theoretically available you’ve got Delon Wright/MarJon Beauchamp/Anton Watson on the brain. Maybe you, like me, think starting Deuce McBride worsens the starters and the bench. Maybe you think Cam Payne should start. Or go double-big with Mitch and KAT and trust Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges are unselfish enough to approximate running the offense. Or you’re ready to risk it all on Tyler Kolek, or tap the buyout market for Reggie Jackson. Do share.
How many teams do you think can realistically win the East? The West? The title? Are there any teams you’re wishing a particularly pleasant end-of-year to? Or a nasty one? I have some in mind — what about you? If the Knicks lose in five games in the second round to Boston, do you consider the season a failure? A success? Something else?
What’s on your mind? Let’s discuss.