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New York Knicks: What is and isn’t working through 15 games

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks instructs Frank Ntilikina #11 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks instructs Frank Ntilikina #11 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks instructs Frank Ntilikina #11 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks instructs Frank Ntilikina #11 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks have completed the first 15 games of the 2017-18 NBA regular season. What’s working and what isn’t for the 8-7 Knicks?

The New York Knicks have completed the first 15 games of the 2017-18 NBA regular season in better form than expected. Despite being labeled as a team with no shot whatsoever at reaching the playoffs, the Knicks are above .500 through 15 outings.

While the record may ultimately be what decides if the Knicks make the playoffs, progress should be measured in ways beyond the wins and losses.

The Knicks are in the process of rebuilding around a young core that’s flush with both untapped potential and an ideal balance of skills. The key moving forward will be cultivating a healthy culture and discovering the identity of this team.

Thankfully, the early returns have provided the Knicks with reasons for both optimism and concern—a balance that the coaching staff is likely embracing themselves.

In some areas, the Knicks have been one of the best teams in the NBA—a statement that’s devoid of hyperbole. In others, they’ve fallen behind the curve and are in need of either internally-created stability or a genuine overhaul of the current crop of specialists.

The New York Knicks are in a good place at 8-7 through 15 games. The question is: What’s been working for the Knicks and what must change?

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