New York Knicks: What We Learned From The Loss To Cleveland

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Dec 7, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) and New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) fight for a rebound during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Knicks Aren’t Yet Ready For Elite Competition

The New York Knicks should be a significantly better team when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 4. Until then, Knicks fans should accept the fact that this team hasn’t yet realized its full potential.

Until New York comes together as a team, it’s going to struggle against elite competition, which actually creates a beneficial sense of urgency.

The Knicks now have losses of 32 and 29 points to the Cavaliers in 2016-17. New York also has a 19-point loss to the Houston Rockets, a 28-point loss to the Boston Celtics, and an 11-point loss to the Toronto Raptors.

The Knicks have improved over time—see: the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers games—but elite competition is still overwhelming New York.

True as that all may be, the Knicks are 9-4 over the past 13 games and have been winning the games they need to win. New York still needs to prove itself against contending-level teams, but defeating the teams it’s more talented than could be enough to reach the playoffs.

In due time, the Knicks should develop the identity and chemistry necessary to hold their own against the best teams in the NBA.

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