Bold Predictions for the 2021-2022 New York Knicks

The 2020-2021 New York Knicks made basketball fun again at Madison Square Garden. Not many people, if any, pictured the Knicks locking up the four seed in the Eastern Conference last season. Julius Randle broke out and became a star, taking home the Most Improved Player award. RJ Barrett took another step towards stardom and Immanuel Quickley turned his doubters into lovers with his play last season. After an impressive offseason when the Knicks brought in Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker, they are ready to become one of the elite teams in the East.

With high expectations, here are my bold predictions for the 2021-2022 New York Knicks.

1. The Knicks will make at least the Eastern Conference Finals

We are coming out hot out of the gate. The Knicks lost to the Atlanta Hawks in five games so I would say having the Knicks win 2 series is pretty bold. What makes this year different than last year? The biggest difference in the two teams is the point guard play. The Knicks have been looking for a half decent point guard since Raymond Felton’s second stint with the squad. Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay, Elfrid Payton all were liabilities on both ends of the floor.

However, with free agent signing Kemba Walker and potential sixth man of the year Derrick Rose, the PG position is no longer one of worry for the Knicks. RJ Barrett finally gets a PG who can drive play and Julius Randle can do what he does best and score at will. Walker and Rose add a whole new dynamic to the Knicks offense that Payton and Ntilikina could never bring. With the improved guard play, the development of Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett, and bonafide star of Julius Randle, the Knicks will be playing for a chance to play in the Finals.

2. Julius Randle will finish in the top 3 of MVP Voting

The New York Knicks have been looking for a bonafide star since Carmelo left. Julius Randle is looking like that answer. Mr. Randle had himself a career season in 2020-2021 and the 2021-2022 version of the New York Knick’s star will be even better. He average 24.1 PPG, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He also shot 41.1% from beyond the arc and 81.1% from the charity stripe. That stat line gave him a 7.8 win share for the season. That was good for 16th in the NBA. With a new contract and all of New York with him, expect Julius Randle to be right there in consideration with the league’s best for MVP.

3. Mitchell Robinson is in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year

Few players on the Knicks have as high of an upside as Mitchell Robinson. The second round pick from 2018 has shown flashes of true brilliance on the court. However, the inability to stay out of foul trouble and the inability to stay healthy has hindered his development on both ends of the floor. Robinson’s value on the offensive side of the court comes directly by the rim. Robinson lives for the lob and the guard play of Walker, Rose, and Immanuel Quickley allow him to thrive at the rim.

However, Robinson’s real value on the court comes on the defensive side of the ball. Mitchell Robinson is a shot blocking machine. For his career, Robinson is averaging 2.1 blocks per game. During the 2018-2019 season, Robinson was second in the NBA in blocks per game and seventh during the 2019-2020 season. When healthy, Robinson is an elite shot blocker and the skill will catapult Robinson to the top of the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year.

Final Thoughts

Expectations are sky high and predictions are flying for the 2021-2022 New York Knicks. After over performing last season (relative to expectations), and some major offseason acquisitions, there should be no shortage of confidence for the Knickerbockers. The Knicks are ready to win and that journey starts this year.

-Pete Chatterton (@Pchat12)

Featured image courtesy of the New Yok Post

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