Entering the new NBA season that begins in a little over a month, the league is showing as much parity as it has in a long time. A handful of teams project as title contenders, with a few others being labeled as sleepers.
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The Western Conference might only have one bad team. But out in the Eastern Conference, the contenders look a little more clear-cut.
One of those is the New York Knicks, who finished No. 2 in the conference last season. New York didn’t sit on its hands this offseason, however, and instead decided to push in its chips going after a title.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks tries to keep the ball from Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks are being seen as a team that can grab the best record in the Eastern Conference.
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New York acquired star forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets to pair him alongside star guard Jalen Brunson and forward OG Anunoby. The Knicks have one of the deepest teams across the entire association and are expected to be one of the better units in the league.
This team is getting a lot of hype before the new year starts. Former NBA center and now ESPN NBA personality, Kendrick Perkins had some high praises for New York, saying they would have the best record in the NBA this season.
“I’m the governor of New York and I know Tracy Morgan is watching right now,” Perkins said. “Dammit, look this is not an individual sport, it’s a team sport. My bold take is that the New York Knicks are gonna have the best record, not just in the Eastern Conference, in the entire NBA in the regular season.”
The claim isn’t that far-fetched, but the Knicks would have to best a handful of other really strong teams. In the East, New York has to contend with the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics.
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Boston finished 14 games ahead of the Knicks at the end of last season and a full seven games ahead of the next closest team. The Celtics are likely to be the best team in the league once again so it could be tough for the Knicks to finish with the best regular season record.
But if New York can stay healthy and jell on the court, it certainly is possible. They have a strong starting five and play good defense, giving them credibility each time out.
It should be an interesting NBA season but the Knicks should have a say in how the year plays out, even if they don’t finish with the best record.
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