NY Knicks: Analyzing the preseason studs and duds
By Kieran Lynch
NY Knicks Go Undefeated in Preseason Play
The NY Knicks certainly had some impressive preseason performances after going 4-0 in preseason play, one of three teams – including the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors – to go undefeated before the regular season begins.
Yet, some players left much to be desired – on and off the court.
Yes, it’s just preseason. Yes, preseason wins do not always correlate to regular-season success. However, preseason is a significant step above summer league play, and there is a lot you can take away from individual player performances.
The NY Knicks had their fair share of summer league breakouts. Immanuel Quickley dominated the competition with a year of NBA play under his belt, while last year’s lottery selection Obi Toppin made significant strides on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor after last year’s rocky start.
The rookie backcourt duo in Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride looked just as advertised, burying threes and showcasing crafty handles, while also putting together impressive defensive performances.
Now, we get to analyze which players stepped up and which players failed to meet fans’ expectations after four games of preseason play.
The Knicks certainly had more preseason studs than duds, as the team looked incredibly cohesive even with multiple new additions from this offseason.
While it’s difficult to complain or find flaws on a team that just went undefeated in preseason play, some players left much to be desired. Conversely, some guys looked to have made significant improvements from last season, creating some interesting storylines heading into the 2021-2022 NBA season.