New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The Eastern Conference can't sleep on the Knicks

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 3/20/24

The Eastern Conference has been viewed as a two-horse race this season, as the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are expected to compete in the conference finals.

Yet, the New York Knicks have slowly positioned themselves to slide into that conversation. It all started with the addition of OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa in December.

The Knicks followed up that deal with a Feb. 8 trade deadline move to bring Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks to Madison Square Garden. Tom Thibodeau now has a team full of high-level defenders with a sprinkling of exceptional scoring talent. As such, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes the Knicks could emerge as a serious threat in the postseason.

"If the New York Knicks get healthy, I believe they are the number one threat to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference," Smith said on Tuesday's episode of 'First Take.' "I think they're going to the conference finals. Now, obviously, that's a lot to ask ... I love the pickups of Burks, Achiuwa and obviously Bogdanovic. I'm looking at the Knicks right now, and [it's] orange and blue skies. If the New York Knicks get healthy, they're going to the conference finals."

If healthy, @stephenasmith believes the Knicks are the biggest threat to the Celtics in the East pic.twitter.com/AurXXdAz7M
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 19, 2024

If Anunoby can stay healthy and Julius Randle returns from injury, the Knicks will likely be a difficult opponent in the postseason. However, they need time to get their returning stars up to speed. They can't be expected to hit the ground running after missing multiple weeks of the season.

As such, the Knicks need their players to start getting healthy now to gel throughout the season's final weeks. If that happens, and no other injuries occur, they are a legitimate threat.

A significant part of their potential rests on Jalen Brunson. The All-Star guard is averaging 27.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 47.8% from the field and 40% from three-point range.

New York has something special brewing. However, injury issues could limit their chances of success this season. Nevertheless, teams around the East will need to take notice. Thibodeau's team isn't one to be taken lightly.

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