With how different the culture of the New York Knicks has been, you would think Tom Thibodeau has been coaching this team for years now.
After just one shortened season with the team, Thibodeau has given the Knicks an identity. Something they haven’t had in quite some time.
Can Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks grow in year 2?
The Knicks roster has been upgraded this offseason. Losing Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton while bringing in Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier and the rest of last year’s team should have the team positioned to make a jump.
Even with the roster improvements, it’s never that simple.
New York isn’t the only team with high hopes heading into the season. You have the top of the conference teams: The Bucks, Nets, and 76ers. All of the playoff teams from last year coming into revamped rosters: The Hawks, Heat, and Celtics. Then there’s a whole bunch of teams who have a solid argument to be playoff contenders: The Bulls, Pacers, Wizards, and Hornets.
It’s a crowded field. The Knicks are going to have be the same team that they were last year, and then some.
It wasn’t too long ago that this team had zero direction.