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New York Knicks: NYK Finally Has An Identity

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) waits for play to resume against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) waits for play to resume against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 19, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; USA forward Carmelo Anthony (15) high fives teammates against Sweden during the men’s basketball semifinal match in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; USA forward Carmelo Anthony (15) high fives teammates against Sweden during the men’s basketball semifinal match in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Hunger For More

As previously established, the New York Knicks have something to prove. Every player on the roster is out to prove they belong in one way or another, but that only scratches the surface of the hunger this team is fighting to fill.

The true testament to the Knicks’ identity is that the core players have a hunger to finally achieve what they’ve come so close to achieving before.

Carmelo Anthony led the 2009 Denver Nuggets to the Conference Finals, but has never made it back. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah led the 2011 Chicago Bulls to the Conference Finals, but neither has made it back.

Courtney Lee helped the Orlando Magic reach the 2009 NBA Finals, but he shares that common trait of having never made it back.

In other words, four of the Knicks’ five starters have vast postseason experience and a hunger for more. Just as Kristaps Porzingis is trying to prove that he can be a franchise player, the other four starters are trying to ascend the mountain again.

Four of the Knicks’ five starters have been so close to championship glory that they could taste it.

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In 2016-17, those players, as well as their teammates and coaches with something to prove, will band together to make the Knicks a contender again.

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