The Knicks Keep Winning

The Knicks have won eight straight games, three in overtime, heading into Saturday's matchup versus the Raptors.

Julius Randle has led the Knicks to a very impressive and surprising season so far, and the team is currently in sole possession of the 4 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 33-27 as of April 23rd. The squad hangs their hat on defense, with a DRTG of 106.7, a mark that is fourth in the NBA. According to ESPN's Kirk Goldsberry, the team has the #3 net rating in the entire league with a #3 defense and #13 offense in their last 15 games. Randle has shared his enthusiam with the team's culture and work ethic this season, citing Coach Tom Thibodeau as someone who is willing to hold everyone accountable, specifically Randle himself.

The Knicks have had success with key contributions from different players any given night, and Reggie Bullock has thrived as Randle's focal point in a rejuvenating season. RJ Barrett brings in high scoring clips some nights, new addition Derrick Rose in others, and solid pieces like Immanuel Quickley and Nerlens Noel have been very relevant to the Knicks' best season since 2014. These Knicks are missing big man Mitchell Robinson who is likely out for the regular season, but could return in the postseason.

The eight victories following a two-point loss to their division rivals, the Celtics, came against the Grizzlies, Raptors, Lakers, Pelicans (twice), Mavericks, Hornets, and Hawks. Three of the games went to overtime, and five were double digit wins. The remaining schedule won't get any easier as the team will be facing the Suns twice, the Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, and Celtics, but New York will very plausibly hold on to a playoff spot without falling to the play-in.

If the postseason started today, their 4 seed in the East would give them a fun matchup versus the Atlanta Hawks, who play the opposite way the Knicks do. Atlanta has an arsenal of offensive pieces that can score in bunches, while the Knicks oftentimes score less and allow lower point totals from their opponents. This series would be a good test for the Knicks to see if they can keep up with a high scoring team or if they can slow the game down and be the defensive juggernaut they have been all year.

While the Hawks are currently the 5 seed, Trae Young's grade 2 ankle sprain may severely hurt the team if he misses more than a couple games. Even if he returns soon, the Celtics are beginning to heat up after what has been a very disappointing season, and they're probably the best team in the East outside of the Nets, Sixers, and Bucks. If the Knicks play the C's in the first round, it would be a great opportunity to prove just how mighty they are. Regardless of where they finish in the postseason, this year has been a success for the franchise, and Knicks fans are jubilant with the buzz that the team has given the city this year and the excitement coming from MSG. With that being said, Julius Randle and company have hopes that transcend merely making the playoffs, and if they can continue this incredible run, making noise on the biggest stage is not at all far fetched.

Everyone says it: the Knicks being good is good for the league, being in the biggest market and being the so-called "Mecca of Basketball." It's a breath of fresh air to see success from The Big Apple's favorite team, and the irony of the Nets being the East favorites this year is the success of the Knicks, who didn't have a big free agency, and instead built through the draft and the buy-in of guys who are willing to bust their ass to win with a gritty identity. The toughness of the Knicks cannot be understated, and if they match up with the almighty Nets in the second round, win or lose, New York will be proud of its favorite team. If Brooklyn wins, even in a sweep, they'll be limping to the Conference Finals after facing the hardhat basketball that the Knicks play.

It seems like the Knicks' success has come at the expense of the Yankees, who have been very bad to start the season, but could easily come back into the picture. Let's hope the Yankees don't take the magic away from the Knicks if they pick it up.