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New York Knicks: What are reasonable expectations for 2019-20?

By Sam Schwartz

WASHINGTON, DC -¬ OCTOBER 7: Julius Randle #30 of New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards during the preseason on October 7, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -¬ OCTOBER 7: Julius Randle #30 of New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards during the preseason on October 7, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks and disappointing regular season campaigns have been synonymous since the start of this decade, therefore when discussing the team’s upcoming season, optimism must remain balanced with practicality.

Despite the misery that has clouded the franchise in recent seasons, there are legitimate reasons to be optimistic for the future of New York Knicks basketball. The roster is brimming with young, controllable talent from which the team can build upon, and the front office seems to have finally found individuals capable of making logical decisions.

That being said, early optimism tends to appear more deceitful than it does legitimate when it comes to the Knicks faithful, who are all too familiar with previous squads unable to live up to early expectations.

While I acknowledge that placing faith in these Knicks is likely to lead me to eventual disappointment, I do believe it is necessary to discuss what the current roster is capable of accomplishing, and it is temptingly scary to consider.

In the current hierarchy of the Eastern Conference, there are three distinct categories in which each franchise can be placed. There are the legitimate contenders with hopes of a parade to conclude their season, the teams who are capable of making the playoff in a weak Eastern Conference and are too talented to tank, and the squads who look at their entire season as a race to the bottom to build for future success. The Knicks have so frequently been in the final group that the franchise has essentially become the face of modern tanking.

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The Knicks are no longer a member of the League’s bottom dwellers, and this alone should inspire cautious optimism. The Knicks might finish the season as the laughing stock of the Eastern Conference, their history has shown that failure should be expected, but the current Knicks roster is not constructed like a team built to the tank. A blend of hard-nosed veterans and exciting young prospects make the Knicks a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

For the Knicks to truly reach their highest potential this season, their first playoff berth since 2013, the team must maximize production from both rising youngsters, as well as aging veterans. Free-agent acquisition Julius Randle will likely be the most telling indicator of the Knicks’ success. The former Kentucky product enters his sixth season in the League with all-star aspirations, and his success will likely determine the success of the team. While Randle will undoubtedly be looked upon to lead the young Knicks offensively, it will be up to fellow newcomers Taj Gibson and Wayne Ellington to provide both locker room intangibles and defensive intensity.

For the Knicks to play meaningful basketball well into spring, they will not only need their offseason signings to prove fruitful. Coach Fizdale will be forced to give extensive minutes to unproven youngsters with hopes of squeezing out baseline production.

Of the young players from which Fizdale will be forced to throw into the fire this season, rookie RJ Barrett stands as the most likely to produce. While his summer league showing left much to be desired, the Knicks hopeful savior provided flashes of offensive brilliance. Barrett doesn’t need to be an all-star for the Knicks to reach the playoff, but a stat line capable of securing the rookie of the year award is necessary to keep the Knicks in conversation.

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Would a playoff berth even matter for a Knicks squad whose celling is likely a first-round exit? It most definitely would. New York is passionate for their Knicks, evident by the team selling out the Garden for their first preseason game, and simply reaching the postseason would mean everything to the suffering fanbase. The Knicks can make the playoff, and that would be something to celebrate.

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