Ranking The 3 Most Likely Knicks Playoff Opponents by Difficulty
Do The Knicks have a chance against The Brooklyn Nets?
The Brooklyn Nets at total health are probably the opponent the Knicks want to avoid most. The Nets are not at full health, though, and hardly have been all year. The Nets’ big 3 of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant might be the most dangerous offensive trio ever.
New York has never faced The Nets with all three of their stars. If the Nets are at full health, despite recently abruptly losing LaMarcus Aldridge to retirement due to an irregular heartbeat, the Nets will almost definitely win the series.
The Knicks are 0-3 against the Nets this season. However, all losses were within 10 points, 2 of them within 5 points. The Knicks, who have only faced hampered Nets teams, were able to keep it close. It also helps that Julius Randle brings his A-Game against Brooklyn, averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. You can always count on Randle to show up in big games.
At the end of the day, NY does not match up well with Brooklyn at all. As my DailyKnicks teammate Avishai Sol put it, The Nets defense can be beaten by A-List superstars in 1 on 1 situations, but the Knicks have a team basketball playstyle that attacks the rim. The Nets at full power are going to be a scary team to face. This matchup will not go well unless injuries seriously hamper the Nets.