The Knicks entered this NBA season with their highest expectations in a quarter century. Hopes were high in New York, and fans expected this to be the year the Knicks could finally reach the pinnacle after over 50 years. Jalen Brunson was coming off the best season by a Knick this millennium, and the roster had a vibe to it that seemed immaculate.
The Knicks went 4-1 in the preseason, and the starting lineup gelled in those games. The Knicks were eighth in net rating in the preseason at +6.7 they also ranked eighth for defensive rating. Yes, it was the preseason, but preseason trends can carry over to the regular season because of how close they are to each other.
Early Returns of Knicks Offseason
Mikal Bridges
When it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Despite the adage, Mikal Bridges came out of the offseason with a new awkward-looking jump shot with an extra spring at the top of his release. At points, it seemed like he was chucking it up, hoping it would fall in. His disastrous first half against the Celtics had Knicks Twitter erupting in a frenzy. Five first-round picks for this?
Close look at Mikal Bridges new jumper #Knicks pic.twitter.com/36QQHvX92y
— Owen (@OwenKelty) October 25, 2024
However, after going 0-5 in the first half, Bridges switched his shot midway through the game and is now 15-20 in his last three halves, including 4-6 from behind the arc. With Bridges on the court, the Knicks offense is a +9.5. He has benefited from playing alongside so many scorers, as defenses are not zoning in on him as they were in Brooklyn. Bridges still has a +0.6 offensive estimated plus-minus, an 86th percentile rank in the league.
But the major issue is his defense. With Bridges as their primary defender, opposing players have made 19 out of 27 shots, 70.4% from the field. Notably, with Bridges on the court, the Knicks give up 137.5 points per 100 possessions, a horrifying number. He had the lowest plus-minus of any starter against the Pacers (+13 in 33 minutes) and the Celtics (-33 in 34 minutes). Yes, it’s too early to predict anything. Yes, he should get better. However, this is a slight cause of concern that Knicks fans (myself included) should pay close attention to. A big reason for his acquisition was his defense, and the Knicks will need him to step up against the elite teams with two offensive powerhouses.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Bringing in Karl-Anthony Towns was a gamble that the Knicks took. There were concerns that Towns might be too soft, with fans doubting he’d be a good fit for the Knicks, a team built on toughness. Those concerns are unlikely to go away until mid-season, but he has been a very good player as of now.
He’s averaging 16.5 points, and 11.0 rebounds to go along with a block. Very good numbers. Yes, his scoring is down, but he’s also playing alongside one of the most well-rounded teams in the NBA. The Knicks have scorers galore, and any of their players could go off on any night. The offense hasn’t been elite with him on the court, but that is a byproduct of not having enough reps together, and I expect him to get better.
The defensive numbers will be the one thing to keep in mind, but the Celtics game skews the numbers significantly because of how early it is. However, against the Pacers, Towns defense was on full display, and it was a glimpse of what is to come. Towns offensive rebounds will be a focus because the Knicks were one of the league’s best in that area last year.
Last Word on Early Returns on Knicks Offseason
The advanced numbers don’t look great as of now, but the shift in pure performance from the first game of the season to the second one is a very promising sign for the Knicks. At their peak, they can be the best team in the East. It’s just a matter of getting there and performing when the lights are the brightest. The early returns of both Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges are promising, and they should be much, much better as the season goes on.
