In the wake of a disappointing end to their season, the New York Knicks are facing the inevitable questions that come along with such a loss. After falling 125–108 to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the discourse naturally shifts to the future. How optimistic are players about the team’s potential moving forward? And what are their thoughts on the coaching staff, particularly Tom Thibodeau, whose leadership faced scrutiny throughout the season?
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ standout guard, made his feelings clear in the postgame press conference. When asked about the team’s future, he offered a confident answer. “The most confident,” he stated unequivocally. “Overconfident. Seriously. There’s not an ounce of any type of doubt that I’m not confident with this group.”
Brunson’s enthusiasm extended to questions about Thibodeau, whose job security had been a topic of conversation as the playoffs unfolded. “Is that a real question right now?” Brunson replied when faced with an inquiry into whether he believed Thibodeau was the right man for the job. “Yes.”
The sting of this playoff exit will linger for Knicks fans, as they grapple with the memory of crucial moments that slipped away. The team surrendered a double-digit lead in the dying minutes of Game 1, squandered an incredible 36-point performance by Brunson in Game 2, and were plagued by turnovers that proved costly in Game 6. While Indiana was the one to secure the victory, the Knicks undoubtedly contributed to their own demise.
“It’s painful not to bring a championship opportunity to the city,” said Karl-Anthony Towns, underscoring the disappointment felt within the locker room. “We hope the plan now is to put ourselves in this position again and succeed next time.”
Looking ahead, there’s strong reasoning to consider maintaining the current roster. After notching 51 wins – a milestone not reached since 2013 – and reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2000, the Knicks have shown promise. A healthy Mitchell Robinson could bolster their defense, and the emergence of Delon Wright and Landry Shamet as solid contributors during the playoffs suggests there are pieces already in place that can lead to continued growth.
Despite the heartache, Thibodeau highlighted the necessity of learning from this experience. “There’s disappointment because you fall short of what your goal is,” he noted. “In the end, there is only going to be one team that achieves the goal. The challenge for us is to look at it for what it is. For us, it’s to use that for motivation and determination to work all summer to prepare ourselves to make the final step.”
There’s no denying the criticism Thibodeau faced this season, particularly regarding how he managed his starters and his approach to offensive strategies. His decision to extend his bench and give Wright and Shamet valuable minutes in Game 3, leading to a turnaround in the series, raised further questions about his coaching style.
Yet, if a coaching change is being considered, who would be a better fit? Surrounding the Knicks with options like Michael Malone, who faced his own challenges in Denver, or even looking at other names doesn’t guarantee improvement. The cautionary tales from franchises like Phoenix and the Lakers remind us that coaching changes can just as easily lead to regression as they can to success.
The Knicks might look to the roster to improve, as star players could be tempting targets this summer. Yet, New York’s recent trades for talents like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have left them with limited trade resources. Even if intriguing names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, or Jaylen Brown become available, the Knicks must ask themselves: Is it worth the risk? Brunson may not fit the traditional mold of a championship-caliber alpha, but he has displayed extraordinary skill and leadership throughout these playoffs, averaging 31 points per game on 50% shooting in the conference finals.
“It’s definitely tough to look ahead, but even when you win, it’s always about what’s next,” Brunson acknowledged. “We’re going to go into the summer and we’re going to work. We’re going to get better and figure out a way how we can change this outcome. It’s going to start with us and our mentality.”
Indeed, this postseason presented a missed opportunity for the Knicks. Yet, it also served as a springboard for growth. In examining the success of recent NBA champions, a common thread emerges: consistency. Teams like Milwaukee and Denver faced years of playoff trials before ultimately winning the title, and Boston’s core endured multiple conference finals defeats before finally breaking through.
The Knicks possess that consistency, and as they look ahead, they should carefully consider the value of continuity. Embracing what they have may prove to be the right path forward.
