4. Never Say Die
The New York Knicks aren’t going to give up on many games, let alone on many possessions. If nothing else can be said about this group, it certainly possesses the work ethic to fight until the rewarding or bitter end.
With a never say die mentality, the Knicks have an opportunity to compete with every team in the NBA—great or otherwise.
Joakim Noah firmly embodies the never say die mentality. During his time with the Chicago Bulls, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award for his unrelenting approach to the defensive end of the floor.
Noah is just as likely to dive into the crowd for a loose ball as he is to make a defensive rebound; and no, that isn’t hyperbole.
Beyond Noah, the likes of Justin Holiday, Courtney Lee, Maurice Daly Ndour, Marshall Plumlee, and Lance Thomas are all revered for their work ethic. Kristaps Porzingis is becoming the same way, as evidenced by just about everything he does on and off the court.
With Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Jennings, and Derrick Rose possessing the elusive killer mentality, this Knicks team should be ferociously competitive.
Next: The Relentlessness