The Knicks fired former head coach Tom Thibodeau over the offseason shortly after they made their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. However, star big man Karl-Anthony Towns tells DJ Siddiqi of RG.org that he doesn’t view 2025/26 as a championship-or-bust season.
“I feel all 30 teams in NBA are walking in saying the same thing,” Towns said. “It’s unfair just to say that’s for us. I think every team walks in saying the same thing. We’re just focusing on being the best version of ourselves every single day. Every year, you have to earn the respect of the city, continue to earn the respect of the city and the give the fans something to cheer for.
“Just be the best version ourselves when it comes to that point, when the postseason rolls around and play our best basketball. To build as a team so we can play our best basketball when we need to.”
In case you missed it, Towns said after Wednesday’s opening win versus Cleveland that he’s battling a Grade 2 right quad strain.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Although head coach Mike Brown continues to insist that Mitchell Robinson hasn’t sustained a new injury, it’s concerning that the 27-year-old center will miss his second straight game on Friday against Boston with what the team calls left ankle injury management, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. Robinson has made just 48 regular season appearances over the past two campaigns largely due to issues with his left ankle, which has been surgically repaired two times over that span, Schwartz notes.
- Wednesday’s win was a good example of how different Brown’s vision for the Knicks is compared to Thibodeau’s, as Stefan Bondy of The New York Post details in a subscriber-only story. With the obvious caveat that it was only one game, the players seemed to be bought in to Brown’s fast-paced offense and energized by the fact that the new coach used an extended rotation. “I truly believe this team is a deep team,” Brown said. “Give (president) Leon Rose and his group a lot of credit. It’s my job to keep trying to find combinations out on the floor that work. Just like they’ve got a lot of room to grow, I’ve got a lot of room to grow, too. I’m still learning. The good part about is there are a lot of different ways I can go with it and I can learn on the fly because we have guys that can play. I like to play a lot of guys. I don’t know if I’ll play 11 guys every night but we like to play as many as we can. We want everybody to be ready in case their number’s called anytime.”
- Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti didn’t get much playing time as rookies last season, but earned minutes — and praise — from Brown on Wednesday, per Peter Sblendorio of The New York Daily News. “I thought both guys came in and tried to do what they’re capable of doing,” Brown said of Kolek and Hukporti. “We don’t need anybody to come in and play hero ball or anything like that. Play to your strengths, and both of those guys, they can do some things out on the floor.”
- Miles McBride played a critical role in Wednesday’s opener, scoring 15 points on only seven field goal attempts and recording a team-high plus/minus of +17 in 26 minutes, according to Schwartz, who says the 25-year-old guard looks like an ideal fit in Brown’s pace-and-space offense. McBride will start on Friday, tweets Bondy.
Possible C targets later for NYK
Capela
Nic Richards
Mark Willams
Ayton
I cant see Hukporti being the call down the stretch, cant see KAT at 5, cant see relying on Mitchs health. Nyk is limited in what they can do but I think if Phx and Lakers fall off they’d sell cheap. Capela could be a 3 team deal possibility w Hou getting a Pg from 3rd team
Towns is the starting Center for East all star game. He had one his best all around years in his career last yr. 24.4 pts, 13 reb, 3.1 ast, .830% FT, .567% 2pt,
.420% 3 pt ……. and you think he’s not a center.
He can play C but Ive thought for years now he’s optimal at the 4 . All star games share no space with serious conversations
Hard to win 4 series playing sub optimal, seems by actions NYK brass agrees, tho I think they view Huk as more a stop gate this year than the answer
Really fact he was voted over ALL other centers.
Towns is not a 4 or PF. He can play that position. But it’s not his strength. His strength is at C. Therefore the best position for him to play . At C he is a matchup problem for other teams. And helps the offense by being able to play in perimeter. Same as Jokic does for Nuggets. I really don’t get the fascination with Towns at PF. Considering every team goes small. And they want the Knicks to play two seven footers in today’s game.
This starting unit has only been together one year. And that was without Mitch on roster. This FO is still feeling this team out. Especially with a new coach. I am not one who cares what they think. I believe in what I see. Granted I know who makes the decisions.
Hukporti is a backup center. And we are lucky Thibs found him and developed him. He will make it easier to trade Mitch. Imo Knicks will trade Mitch. Cause this team future now is about Towns at Center. The way you help him. Is by getting a big PF who can watch his back on D. A defensive stud at the 4. Is what Towns needs. Not to play the 4.
I don’t think NYK win by moving KAT to 4, and I don’t think he benefits from moving to 4. What is the purpose of that move?
They should get more out of people playing 2-4, and from their bench. I think that was one of the big reasons for coaching change. They didn’t pay 5 firsts for Bridges to see him play like he did last season. There’s more to be had from him in particular, but also from other players.
* Moved off of the 4 you mean Peter?
Every coaching staff since covid has seen Kat ideal at the 4. Now every team doesn’t have a Rudy but that’s how its been . Im arguing status quo, the move you speak of would be actually making a/the move
Is he a 4 now? I didn’t watch their first game
I can see that Hukporti started. And Robinson started some games last season, including playoff games. Does that make KAT a 4?
Well, if the new coach thinks that’s the plan, we’ll see. I’m a bit sceptical, but hey. KAT likes to think of himself as a great innovator, so maybe he can revolutionize the 4 position :)
Only the media thinks its a win it all or bust season. No sane person could ever think that. Teams know if they are contenders. And who their real competition is. They know they have to go out and do it. Finish on top. There is no given here. Thats all media BS.
Always a bad sign when it comes to Mitch s legs. Definitely have to take it seriously. He was banged up in preseason. So I just see this as precaution. Nothing wrong with that.
Hukporti is ready to be the backup C. Kolek needs to level up as does Diadet. Both still young. Not a fan of McBride and Jalen playing. I rather see him as the backup PG. Brown system will take time to kick in. I can see it helping Bridges and McBride the most. Good to see the Knicks use their bench. Yabusele and Clarkson had bad games against Cavs. Be nice to see them have big games tonight. Long season coming. I need 20 gms to get a strong feel for this team.
It’s not “championship-or-bust”, BUT it moved a bit closer to that when they fired the guy who was the driving force in building the team and giving it its identity. This is Thibs’ team. That doesn’t mean Brown can’t take it further. Such things often happen. But when they do, they happen quickly.
The other factor here is the competition. This season figures to feature BOS and IND teams that won’t be as good this year, as they figure to be next year and going forward. PHI and ORL, for different reasons, have similar potential.
Whatever the odds are, the NYK best chance to win a title with the current group is this year. Failing that, the FO and the team would need to be significantly reconfigured to inspire any optimism, at least from me.