Are the Knicks a lock for the playoffs this season?
Following a very disappointing 2021-22 season, the Knicks made several moves to change up the roster. This included shipping off veterans like Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, and Kemba Walker in order to bring in better players like Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Moves like this make it seem as if the front office is dedicating at least this season to making a playoff push. However, the question still remains — Are the Knicks even good enough to make the playoffs/play-in?
Personally, I believe they are undoubtedly a top 10 team in the Eastern Conference. However, not only could I just flat out be wrong, but there is also the possibility of injuries and/or other factors that could determine how the season plays out.
Are the Knicks a lock for the playoffs in 2022-23?
Last season, the Knicks finished with a record of 37-45, winning four fewer games than the previous season. The only difference? In 2021, the Knicks went 41-31 and were the fourth seed in the East, but last season, they won four fewer games and missed the play-in as the 11th seed.
This alone shows just how deep the conference is getting. This is also without the Wizards making the playoffs, as their best player Bradley Beal missed most of the season.
Entering the 2022-23 season, I believe there are nine teams that I can confidently say are better than the Knicks. That being the Celtics, Bucks, Heat, Raptors, 76ers, Bulls, Cavaliers, Nets, and Hawks. New York is going to have to really scrape for the 10th seed to reach the play-in.
Even then, there are still teams like the Hornets, Wizards, and Pistons who could all easily be better than the Knicks, especially the Wizards.
Could the Knicks be better than the three teams I mentioned? Absolutely, however, they would have to play at an incredibly high level for the roster they have. In addition to this, players who had a down year last season like Julius Randle MUST play better.
With that in mind, I don’t think anyone can confidently say that New York is a lock for the play-in, let alone the playoffs. It is absolutely fantastic how the Eastern Conference has improved. In years prior it was quite a laughing stock, but now you not only have three to four serious contenders, but plenty of teams who could go on crazy runs like the Hawks did in 2021.
If this year’s Knicks squad can stay healthy, the young players continue to improve, and we see an improved season out of Randle, then I believe that New York can for sure make the playoffs. However, the odds of this all happening simultaneously are slim.
It is very unfortunate that when the Knicks finally have a roster to make the playoffs the East is at the best that it’s arguably been in the last 20 years. This is undoubtedly the most talented Knicks team we have seen since the early years of the Carmelo Anthony era, and if New York wants to capitalize on its situation, the team will look into bolstering their roster more than they already have.
