How does the New York Knicks bench compare to others in the NBA?

The New York Knicks Bench vs The Brooklyn Nets Bench

We move the conversation from the favorites out West to the favorites in the East.

Kyrie Irving’s vaccination hesitancy may stop the Brooklyn Nets from reaching the NBA Finals, but the team’s depth is unlikely to do so.

As was the case with the Lakers, much of the Nets bench will be a revolving door of players who are basically not asked to do much beyond hitting threes and playing defense (Bruce Brown, Jevon Carter, and DeAndre’ Bembry stand out here). But make no mistake, this Nets team has some studs that are capable of much more.

Of course, much of the hype surrounds former all-stars Blake Griffin (who may start at center), LaMarcus Aldridge (ditto), and now Paul Millsap. Millsap definitely the one who looks closer to the player he was in his prime of those three. He is also the shiny new toy that can do it all as a small-ball center. While Griffin and Aldridge will be sometimes questionable as floor spacers and paint protectors, Millsap should be stout in those areas and more consistently.

James Johnson can even operate in a similar, more watered-down version of the role Millsap will play. Nicolas Claxton is the third potential option to start at center. Regardless of where he will be in the rotation, you can count on him still being this team’s best defensive big.

Cam Thomas is already looking like a diamond in the rough. The rookie wing was getting buckets in Summer League and has remained doing so in the preseason.

And finally, on the nights where Brooklyn might be missing Irving, Patty Mills is a pretty darn good replacement. Mills can shoot and pour in points with the best of them.

Once again, I undoubtedly think the Knicks have the better bench from a talent standpoint. Also, the Knicks unit is more capable both offensively and defensively.

However, I additionally have to once again acknowledge that because the Knicks lack the star power the Nets possess, many of Brooklyn’s players naturally fit better with the starters. The role of these bench players is very clear and unlikely to change most nights.

A starting five of Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, and Blake Griffin is an offensive juggernaut but very flawed on the other end. When inserting any two of Carter, Brown, Millsap, and Claxton into the equation with your three superstars, you can create an amazing scoring group that can also play respectable defense.

By the way, I will give the Nets credit by saying that Patty Mills and Paul Millsap on their best days are better players than those on the Knicks bench, with the exception of Derrick Rose.

And so, the crosstown rivalry (if we really want to entertain that narrative) thickens a bit. Both of New York’s squads are home to two of the NBA’s best benches, but I’m giving the advantage to the Knicks, obviously *insert maniacal laugh here*.