Who Will Be Most Important for a Deep Knicks Playoff Run?
As we approach the NBA Playoff season, things are finally coming to fruition, and the real threats, such as the Celtics, are making themselves known to the rest of the league. However, the New York Knicks have been a giant question mark the past few months as they have lacked consistency in terms of proving themselves to be a serious threat. Going into the playoffs, it is important to analyze how important the best players of the Knicks roster are to their hopeful playoff run. Who needs to step up big to contribute to the long-lasting success come the end of April?
5. Mitchell Robinson
If the Knicks want an established defensive presence to contain superstars all over the league, we will need Mitchell Robinson to remain healthy. There are very few players on the Knicks that make such an impact on the end result, which is why I included him in this list. Robinson is a force to be reckoned with when he is present on the court and will be essential in ensuring depth in the Knicks roster. Again, health is the most important factor here, and fans will be praying that he can showcase his talents come playoff time.
4. OG Anunoby
Another extremely dangerous defensive player who can also provide offensive bursts that lead to victories. The Knicks will need OG Anunoby on both sides of the ball to make himself known against all the other prominent forwards in the league. He will most likely be guarding Jayson Tatum if they end up playing the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Thus, it will be crucial if they can get the upper hand in that encounter.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns is having one of the best seasons of his career in his first season as a New York Knick. It will be essential that Towns carries his success in the playoffs and provides the necessary spark needed for a deep run. The creative play style Towns possesses creates a vast amount of difficulty for the opposition. There are very few centers in the league currently that can match up against Towns, so exploiting those mismatches will be a very intelligent strategy.
2. Josh Hart
Josh Hart is continuously providing an energetic play style on all ends of the ball. Hart has got to show us more of what he provided in last year's playoffs as well as this whole regular season. The triple-double machine will look to put on a necessary showcase and can hopefully make all the hustle plays needed for the Knicks to reach their maximum potential. If he can do this, the Knicks have a good shot and prove their doubters wrong.
1. Jalen Brunson
There, of course, is no player more important to the playoff success of the Knicks than Jalen Brunson. With the attention he brings to this team with his talent, he is definitely proven to be the number one contributor to the accomplishments of the Knicks. The 28-year-old is currently injured but will be ready for playoff basketball. Brunson will look to add to his legacy and lead this team to the eternal glory they have been searching for around 50 years.
