Knicks Urged to Maintain Lineup, Keep NBA Championship Hopes Alive

Following the conclusion of their season, it’s typical for teams to face probing questions. Do you have faith in this team’s future? Such inquiries are common from journalists curious about the perspectives of key players regarding the team’s direction. What are your thoughts on the coach’s performance? Variations of this question frequently arise, particularly when the coach has faced criticism throughout the season.

Just hours after the New York Knicks were defeated 125–108 by the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, ending their season, Jalen Brunson was confronted with these very questions.

Are you confident that this team can advance to the next level? Brunson was asked.

“Extremely confident,” Brunson replied. “Actually, beyond confident. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about this group.”

Later, Brunson was asked a more circuitous question regarding Tom Thibodeau.

“Are you really asking that now?” Brunson responded. “You’re questioning if he’s the right person for the job? Yes, he is.”

The sting of the Knicks’ defeat will be felt deeply in New York. They’ll reflect on the lead they squandered in the final moments of Game 1, Brunson’s 36-point performance that went in vain in Game 2, and the critical turnovers that led to their loss in Game 6. While Indiana officially won, the Knicks had a significant hand in their own defeat.

“Making these moves was supposed to lead to victories, so it’s painful,” Karl-Anthony Towns expressed. “It’s heartbreaking not to deliver a championship chance to the city. We have a great group in that locker room, and now our focus is to get back here next year and succeed.”

Indeed, there’s a compelling case for the Knicks to stick with their current lineup. Last season, they won 51 games—their highest since 2013—and reached the conference finals for the first time since 2000. The return of a healthy Mitchell Robinson could bolster their average defense. Delon Wright and Landry Shamet proved their worth as defenders in the playoffs. Keeping this core, possibly adding a versatile 3-and-D wing, could see them competing at the same level next season.

“It’s disappointing not to reach your goals,” Thibodeau remarked. “Ultimately, only one team can achieve that goal. Our challenge is to use this as motivation, to work throughout the summer and prepare to take that final step.”

Thibodeau faced criticism this season for overusing his starters, a lack of innovative offensive strategies, and not elevating the Knicks into a top-10 defensive team. It wasn’t until he utilized his bench more in Game 3, giving more minutes to Wright and Shamet, that New York began to turn the series around.

Yet, is there a better alternative? Could Michael Malone, dismissed by Denver for not using young talent, be an option? What about James Borrego or Frank Vogel? However, changing coaches can sometimes lead to worse outcomes—as evidenced by situations in Phoenix and with the Lakers.

A similar debate exists regarding the roster. Though the Knicks are always in the market for stars, and several might be available this summer, they’ve already traded away much of their draft capital for OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, which could limit their ability to compete for big names. Yet, with Brunson’s impressive performances and the possibility of pairing Towns with a top defender like Robinson for a full season, the current roster has potential.

“Looking ahead is tough, but even in victory, the focus is always on the next challenge,” Brunson stated. “This summer, we’ll be working hard, improving, and figuring out how to alter our fate. It starts with our mindset and taking things one game at a time. We can’t assume we’ll be back in the conference finals immediately.”

Certainly, this postseason was a missed opportunity for the Knicks. However, progress has been made, and if there’s something common among recent champions, it’s consistency. Teams like Milwaukee and Denver persisted for years before clinching their titles. Boston’s core endured multiple conference finals losses before their breakthrough. Stability is crucial in today’s NBA, and the Knicks possess it. They would be wise to consider maintaining their current trajectory.