By Tyler Keller, Director of Basketball Personnel
Jun 03, 2021



New York’s season came to a close on Wednesday after a Game 5 loss to Atlanta. Trae Young had 36 points and Clint Capela added a double-double to propel the Hawks into the second round. Although they will be disappointed now, there are many positives to take from New York’s season. Coming into the year, the Knicks were somewhat of a laughing stock within the NBA, but they proved all the doubters wrong and finished with a top-four record in the East.

  • Knicks increased their win total by more than any other team in the NBA from last season (+20)
  • New York made their 1st playoff appearance since 2013
  • Entering the season, the Knicks had the 2nd longest playoff drought in the NBA (8 years)
 
Odds vs. ATL: NYK -118 (Spread -1.0)
NYK Stock Price: $18.22 (via FANDEX)

NO FRANCHISE IMPROVED MORE OVER THE PAST YEAR THAN THE NEW YORK KNICKS

COLORS KEY | FULL KNICKS OUTLOOK 

No team increased their win total more from last season to this season than the New York Knicks. Their win percentage jumped from .318 to .569 in one year. This was a larger improvement than teams like Brooklyn, who added a star trio, and Phoenix, who finished second in the West after missing the playoffs. It was also the team’s first playoff bid since 2013.

Three main catalysts for New York’s rise was the hiring of their new GM and HC who have both been fantastic, the rise of Julius Randle (who won the 2020-21 Most Improved Player Award) and the mid-season acquisition of Derrick Rose to come in as a mentor and help show the young Knicks squad what winning looks like behind the scenes. Despite not making it past the first round, it was an extremely successful season, and Knicks fans everywhere have a reason to be excited going forward. 

  • Young takes a bow after hitting the deep ball

 

  • Trae’s playoff career-high to lead Atlanta into the 2nd round

 

  • Full Hawks-Knicks game highlights

 

 

 

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