The Knicks made a daring transfer to amass Karl-Anthony Cities, whereas the Nets made a stunning choice to half methods with Mikal Bridges — sending him to their rivals throughout the bridge, no much less.
For the Knicks, it was a declaration of championship intent, a push to construct on final season’s 50-win marketing campaign. For the Nets, it marked the beginning of a possible rebuild, with Bridges traded for 5 first-round draft picks to reshape Brooklyn’s future.
Quick ahead 24 days into the 2024-25 NBA season, and these two groups discover themselves nearer within the standings than anticipated. The Knicks (5-6) and Nets (5-7) are battling for momentum forward of the primary sport in a back-to-back sequence on Friday.
So, ought to followers be frightened—or optimistic?
The Day by day Information’ Knicks and Nets beat writers, Kristian Winfield and C.J. Holmes, take a better look:
KRISTIAN WINFIELD: C.J., how are the Nets 5-7? What occurred to tanking for Cooper Flagg? What did I miss?
C.J. HOLMES: Oh, so that you’re simply going to behave like I didn’t warn you issues had been going to play out like this? Keep in mind? We had been on the pod, I advised you that the Nets had been going to be a lot better than individuals anticipated, and also you roasted me? How’s my little prediction trying now?
I’m not stunned within the slightest. Minus Mikal Bridges, and I assume you may throw guys like Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O’Neale and Lonnie Walker IV into the combo, Brooklyn principally returned most of its roster from a yr in the past — a roster that was enjoying some fairly aggressive basketball till the group determined to take a seat its vets in what may have been a winnable sport at house in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks in December.
The Nets are a proficient group when locked in at each ends of the court docket. There’s a purpose why groups across the league proceed to observe the provision of men like Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Schröder. That expertise simply wanted the suitable motivation and training, and that’s what Jordi Fernandez has delivered to this franchise. He has these boys hooping. Nevertheless, if tanking remains to be the first goal this season, you may solely marvel how lengthy this aggressive play will final till normal supervisor Sean Marks pulls the plug.
In the meantime, the Knicks constructed their dream roster over the summer time and it looks as if issues have been rocky out the gate. What provides?
KW: When a group just like the Knicks makes daring offseason strikes that sign a win-now mentality, a 5-6 begin is of course going to lift eyebrows. For followers, concern is warranted — however context is vital.
This can be a Knicks squad navigating early accidents whereas concurrently retooling its id on each ends of the ground round Karl-Anthony Cities and Mikal Bridges. The adjustment interval was inevitable, particularly given the magnitude of change.
Cities, to his credit score, has been the Knicks’ greatest participant to this point, delivering the form of offensive versatility and spacing the group sorely lacked final season. His presence has opened up choices of their offense, creating lanes for cutters and alternatives for shooters to thrive.
Defensively, although, it’s clear this group is a piece in progress. Lacking Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Valuable Achiuwa (hamstring) has left the paint susceptible, and whereas Cities is adapting to his function as a rim protector, it’s removed from seamless. Equally, Bridges has taken on the accountability of guarding on the level of assault, a vital however demanding function for a wing nonetheless settling into his place on the group.
The largest problem has been transition protection, the place the Knicks have struggled to remain organized and quit too many straightforward factors. Offensively, they aren’t capitalizing sufficient on their biggest power: perimeter capturing. With this roster of succesful shooters, they need to be placing up nearer to 40 threes a sport — however that hasn’t occurred persistently.
In brief, the rising pains are evident, however the items are there. It’s a matter of well being, changes and execution. Whether or not they can put all of it collectively will decide if this sluggish begin is only a blip, or a warning signal.
You talked about Jordi — and also you talked about the pod, due to course you probably did. Head-coaching was not one thing I had thought of once I made that prediction, and neither was a wholesome Ben Simmons. Discuss to me about each: Is Jordi the actual deal, and what have you ever seen from Ben to this point this yr?
CH: He’s the actual deal, man. Election season simply handed, so have a look at it this fashion. Politicians promise lots whereas they run their campaigns, however within the years they’re really in workplace, greater than half of the issues they promise finally by no means get performed, usually. When Jordi had his introductory information convention over the summer time following his rent, he promised that the Nets had been going to be a well-conditioned group that performed quick and bodily at each ends of the court docket, he promised a tradition shift instantly, and he promised that his group could be aggressive instantly.
Taking a look at Brooklyn’s first 12 video games of the season in a vacuum, I detect no lies, man. Jordi has not solely delivered on every part he stated, however he has this rebuilding franchise method forward of schedule. His id is mirrored in his teaching employees and it has trickled down into the locker room. The Nets might have returned plenty of gamers from 2023-24, however make no mistake, this can be a fully totally different group — and I hate to say I advised you so, however I advised you so.
Talking of surprises, Jalen Brunson’s offensive averages have been down throughout the board. Is he merely working by way of some early-season kinks, or is his regression an indication of one thing extra troublesome?
KW: I had a powerful feeling Jalen Brunson’s scoring would take a step again this season, and for good purpose.
First off, while you add a participant like Cities to the roster, it’s virtually inevitable that your main ball handler’s scoring output will dip. KAT’s skill to stretch the ground and dominate offensively naturally calls for a major share of the possessions. Second, the Knicks addressed a obvious want by buying and selling for Mikal Bridges — pairing a second 3-and-D wing with OG Anunoby. With extra offensive firepower, Brunson’s utilization price was certain to lower.
However there’s a deeper layer right here: Groups are beginning to deal with Jalen just like the star he turned final season. The Rockets, for crying out loud, used Dillon Brooks to protect each Brunson and KAT. Houston gained that sport, and bodily play goes to be one thing Jalen will encounter virtually each night time.
The Knicks new roster composition requires Jalen to be much less of a scorer and extra of a facilitator, although he did get off to a sneaky sluggish begin from downtown.
Because you talked about the podcast, I consider I advised you Cam Thomas was going to win Most Improved Participant and common 31.5 factors per sport this season, didn’t I? Is the CT present well worth the hype?
CH: Thomas stays must-see TV on most nights, particularly when he will get sizzling. Whereas he isn’t averaging 31.5 factors per sport simply but, he’s nonetheless having a profession yr when it comes to scoring at 23.8 factors per sport. He has competed defensively and his continued development as a playmaker has been notable as properly. Jordi stated he wished to see higher effectivity and improved playmaking from Thomas this season. His efficient area objective share of fifty.9 is a profession greatest, as is his 3.1 assists per sport common. Oh, yeah, he’s additionally among the many league leaders in fourth-quarter scoring, so the clutch gene has been there as properly.
If issues hold trending this fashion, Thomas can develop into the King of New York earlier than too lengthy. Who says no?
KW: Massive KAT says no.
Cities has scored 40 or extra factors in a sport 15 occasions in his profession. Three of these 15 video games have come 11 video games into his tenure with the New York Knicks.
KAT is averaging 26.5 factors and 12.2 rebounds per sport and is capturing a career-best 50.8% from deep. His impression on the group has been plain, and whereas it may not replicate within the win-loss column, Cities has rapidly develop into the engine for this group’s offense, and the Knicks’ championship hopes lie in maximizing his skills on each ends of the ground. It’s no query: You simply don’t see gamers this cat’s peak doing the issues KAT can do.
We’ve obtained back-to-back video games at MSG. What’s subsequent up for the Nets?
CH: The schedule forward is brutal. After two video games in opposition to the Knicks in three days, they get a feisty Charlotte group at house on Tuesday earlier than embarking on a four-game street journey the place they are going to face Philadelphia, Sacramento, Golden State and Phoenix. We’ll discover out if this group is for actual quickly. This can be a journey the place they are going to both separate themselves from the pack within the Jap Convention or begin to seem like the group that was projected to win simply 18.5 video games this season. Irrespective of the way it performs out, it is going to definitely be enjoyable to observe.
When it’s all stated and performed, do you anticipate the Knicks to shake off this tough begin and contend for the championship they had been constructed to chase?
KW: Whereas the Knicks have their flaws, the potential is plain. This can be a group embracing a contemporary five-out offense, anchored by two elite 3-and-D wings and All-Stars at each the purpose and heart positions. It’s a method constructed for championship competition, however success takes time. They’ve but to area a completely wholesome roster, with key items like Achiuwa and Robinson nonetheless sidelined. When these gamers return, the Knicks’ ceiling may rise dramatically.
The competitors within the East, nonetheless, is unforgiving. Boston is enjoying like a real defending champion, and Cleveland’s undefeated begin has caught everybody off guard. Even with a 5-6 report, the Knicks are firmly within the combine, working by way of rising pains as they attempt to unlock their full potential.
Each our groups might have the identical variety of wins, but it surely’s clear they’re navigating very totally different trajectories this season. The Knicks are laying the groundwork for one thing massive; the Nets are nonetheless trying to find their id.
