The New York Knicks 3 biggest rivals next season
By Adam Kester
The New York Knicks are back on the map with a target on their back.
For the first time in a long time, the Knicks find themselves not only coming off of a winning season but in a position to have sustainable success. Last season was the first for both the coaching staff and the front office, and it looks to be the start of something big.
New York Knicks: With success comes rivalries
There are always going to be geographic rivals in sports. However, in basketball, it’s not as much the case in other sports, especially if one of the teams is a bottom dweller. In a more player-driven league, you really need to have relevance in the win-column to fuel true rivalries.
A Knicks-76ers or Knicks-Celtics game from anywhere in 2014-2019 really lacked any kind of animosity, intensity, or bad blood. Even in midst of a porous season, when teams in other sports play their rivals, the game can have a playoff atmosphere.
Any New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles, New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils, New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox game has meaning.
Suddenly, the New York Knicks find themselves smack dab in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff teams, and there is a lot more at stake in each game.
Let’s take a look at the team’s biggest rivals heading into next season.