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.
While I’m with you on Towns being a center, matchup issues guarding him, etc. I don’t think the Knicks will move Robinson. They’ll tolerate him missing games throughout the season but come playoff time is when he really excels. They need his D and offensive boards – he drives teams nuts with that and is reason the Knicks are still in or win those tight games. I’m curious to see how the new additions work out – that may tone down some of the concern.
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 :)
I mean he was a 4 his whole TWolove tenure
Idk what Browns plan is, and tbh I think it will look different past the deadline when it really matters
I like Al’s idea of a strong 4 defensive stalwart but NYK doesn’t have the capital for that, they do on the 4 C’s I mentioned above … Perhaps Browns faster play will guide KAT to more 5 mins in season but I think they want some semblance of a rim protector for playoffs and we all know KAT aint that
Actually he played Center his whole time with the Wolves except the last two when Rudy came and he was switched to the 4. link to basketball-reference.com
A d he had his worst production yrs as a 4. The guy wins a tgree pt contest. And everyone wants to make him a 4.
Thats a lie . Do you watch the NBA lol ?? Or you just read the non truths.
Towns moved to the 4 when they got Rudy. Then he had two of his least productive yrs jn NBA. Please get it together. Bro I am the real one. Tell me , explain to me why Towns should play the 4. Even though as a Knick he’s never done it. Except for three games when Mitch came back
I stand corrected on Minny pre Rudy, they were such a non threat (mainly bc of KAT ) that I forgot those teams
Thats 3+ years where NBA teams have wanted him at the 4 in the big moments , long time
Least effective for Kats back of basketball card stats yes, but MOST effective for the team, …BY FAR …do the math AL
Thibs wanted Mitch in there bc playoff basketball requires some threat of rim protection. Minnesota got Rudy so they COULD move him off the 5 because of same said reasons …Do the Math Al
No what was most effective is. McDaniels, Reid, AE all growing as NBA talents. And adding a rim protector like Rudy. Cause that’s one thing Towns is not lol…… bro I’m not a big Towns guy. But I get my team has bought into Towns. So to get the most the best out of him. I see that at the 5. He is like Jokic at the 5. He’s also a good passer. What he needs is a big 4 next to him. And that’s what I am hoping they do in a trade. Mitch is due a new contract. Knicks can’t afford to keep him cause of cap. So this has to be the move imo.
Capping your upside then , if it aint Mitch your team will need a 24 minute body (I’ve mentioned 4 realtively possible cheap ones above) Your not going to be able to afford any great 4 to help shield KAT with the limited capital you have…I think of Eason but you couldnt sniff Eason with your asset base
Cant go past trade deadline w KAT/Huk and a dream on Mitch at the 5. You will get eaten in the paint and the paint points play up Huge in playoffs when overall offence is down
@cap, I wouldn’t argue that he can play the 4 – he did relatively well and the Wolves did as well, but his offense is better suited for C.
What has surprised me is that he was a solid D player at Kentucky. I guess offense pays better and he adjusted accordingly.
‘A defensive stalwart 4’ sounds cool, but it’s probably not happening, let’s be honest.
KAT at 4 plays like KAT at 5, only rebounds less and floats through games even more. Playing him at 5 makes him more engaged.
He’s never been a 4 in NY. Thibs played him there for three gms when Mitch came back. This yr Brown has talked about playing him with Mitch.
Fact is with his new offense. Doesn’t make sense playing him at the 4. Cause you won’t get more uptempo. The media always talks about him playing the 4. Its all noise. Towns D is a liability. So there is always the talk about playing him with Mitch.
Would you move Jokic to the 4. Then why would you move Towns to the 4. I am totally against it. And it hasn’t happened yet.
This is all you need to Know. His two yrs at the 4 in Minny. His stats were way down. And he still was a liability on D. Why do you think Minny went to Randle. Towns is an offensive force at the 5. That’s what matters. You help him by getting a defensive stud at the 4 to watch his back. Thats the move.
Well then your playing sub optimal all thru out the playoffs
Maybe you make it outta the weak East w that formula but KAT’s a zero at the rim on D and that will show its head deep playoffs.
Not to mention what if his famous foul trouble woes reapear this year- Your gonna ask that dude to protect the Rim with 3 early fouls?? Cmon
If we are washing out any hope on Mitch it cant just be KAT/Huk playoffs at the 5…thats nuts, thats not a recipe for the Larry O Brien trophy
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.
But if the Knicks don’t advance past the 2nd rd would you consider it a failure?
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.
Towns tonight at Center …… 26 pts, 10-12 from FT, 13 rebounds. You don’t mess with that ……
All of you who look at Towns as a 4. Go look up his stats in Minny. His two yrs with Rudy. Learn the facts first. Cause I doubt you watch the Knicks.
When did Minny start winning?
Agh…….When Kat moved to the 4