Which Knicks players could be in the running for 2023 NBA Awards?
By James Ryder
Two seasons ago, the New York Knicks dominated the NBA’s seasonal awards. With nearly every award, there was someone in the Knicks organization who either won or was in the running.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau won Coach of the Year, Immanuel Quickley was selected to the All-NBA Rookie Second Team, and Julius Randle was both a member of the All-NBA Second Team and the recipient of the Most Improved Player Award (he was also a first-time All-Star). Knicks who were in high consideration for awards were Derrick Rose for Sixth Man of the Year, Quickley for Rookie of the Year, Leon Rose for Executive of the Year, and Randle for Most Valuable Player.
However, the 2021-22 season was nowhere near as rewarding for New York. Instead of building on a 41-31 campaign, the team regressed, finishing at 37-45. Not only did none of the players or personnel win any league awards, but they also weren’t even close to being candidates for anything.
Will New York Knicks players be eligible for 2023 NBA Awards?
Hopefully, this year will end more like 2020-21 did with more Knicks in the conversation, rather than how 2021-22 did. That is what this article will discuss; who among the Knicks players can compete for/win this year’s NBA awards? I personally think it’s highly unlikely that Thibodeau or Leon will be considered for COTY/EOTY again, so I won’t be going into that topic.
Also, while All-Star nods don’t count in this conversation, I will quickly mention that I believe RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, and Randle all have legitimate shots at making it, but likely only one of them will as a reserve (two of them at best).
Speaking of Barrett and Brunson, let’s get into the first award…