Knicks Potential Expansion
Rick Pitino might soon join the Knicks, as the roster keeps growing.
The St. John’s head coach believes the team has the chance to deepen its lineup more than it has in half a century — and that’s saying something, including past championships. He feels this group has the capability to achieve great things.
“I think they may not have the absolute best three players, but they have the best nine or ten,” Pitino shared. “Their bench looks solid. Mike Brown is managing them well. With OG Anunoby improving Karl-Anthony Towns’ passing away from the basket, and Jalen Brunson being uniquely skilled—I mean, he’s something special to watch.”
“I’m all in for the Knicks like they’re my team. They seem driven for championships,” he added.
The Knicks are on an impressive streak, having just triumphed over the 76ers in the conference semifinals. This marks the first playoff victory against Philadelphia since 1989 when Pitino coached them.
They’ve won seven consecutive playoff games, boasting an average margin of 26.4 points, and are favorites to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
While many experts still favor the defending champion Thunder, the Knicks are performing exceptionally well. Their recent shift to an offensive strategy that emphasizes Towns at center started during their first-round series against the Hawks. Towns has tallied 66 assists this postseason—40 more than last year.
“They have a stronger camaraderie than before,” Pitino noted. “Look at teams like Cleveland and Detroit; the ball moves around so much.” He mentioned that while Brunson is a fantastic scorer, their teamwork and ball sharing mean simply focusing on him won’t be effective. In previous series, stopping Brunson seemed like the answer; now that’s shifted.
“They’ve evolved from relying on one-on-one plays to embracing dynamic ball movement that makes for pleasing basketball,” he observed.
Brunson is still a crucial player for them, averaging 27.4 points and 6.1 assists in this postseason. His shooting percentages—48.5 from the floor and 40.9 from beyond the arc—are the best on the team.
“For someone of his size and vertical, his ability to finish around the rim is impressive. He’s really developed a great mid-range shot and has become strong from three-point range. Simply put, he’s an extraordinary 6-foot-2 player. He’s likely one of the best I’ve encountered,” Pitino stated.
The road ahead won’t be easy. The Knicks are waiting to learn who they’ll face in the conference finals, as the series between the Pistons and Cavaliers is tied at 2-2. Should they pass through, they’ll likely encounter either the Thunder or Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs.
Home court isn’t exactly a factor in this round, but given the Knicks’ current form, they shouldn’t be underestimated.
“The only drawback is the lack of home advantage,” Pitino admitted. “Aside from that, I genuinely believe the Knicks are the most formidable team. Sure, OKC is great and they’re the defending champs, but the Knicks have depth and skill. I’m specifically talking about their movement with the ball and among players. It’s more refined than what we saw back in January.”
