New York Knicks: Tough Dogs!.🐶

New York Knicks: Tough Dog!.🐶

The New York Knicks are full of dogs. Guys who will play their asses off from buzzer to buzzer. The 2023–24 roster represents New York, like the movie Taxi Driver. A team with grit, toughness, and hustle. Tom Thibodeau has changed the organization. From being mediocre since the Patrick Ewing era to now becoming a contender out the east, World Wide Wes and Leon Rose understand this team. It does not need big names. It needs guys who can hustle hard every night. That has been the reputation of the Knicks since forever. Guys like Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, and John Starks helped the Big Apple make deep runs. Now, the Knicks have brought back this formula of success. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson brought back the dog culture in New York. They are a team to watch since 2021. And the hallmark of it has been Julius Randle.

Julius Randle has been one of the best players in the regular season. Since coming to the Knicks, he has been a top 50 player. Julius's game reminds me of Zach Randolph. He is a pure bully. He can force his way to the basket. Randle, with his gravity, is able to draw defenders in and kick out for passes. Julius's passing has shined this season. Randle is good at shooting baseline jumpers and, at times, can hit 3-point shots. Julius is good at posting up. Also, he is good at going ISO. Randle is a talented regular-season player. But he faces a problem. He can't translate it to the playoffs.

His production drops big. Averaging 18.8 points per game on a 41 percent field goal percentage. That is not good for a franchise player. The expectations for him are to take the team to another level. In order for the Knicks to make the Eastern Conference, right now he is out with an injury, so we have to see how his conditioning will be. Either he will be in rhythm and ready for the postseason or out of shape, taking him a few games. Julius luckily has a good co-star who can take away pressure.

Jalen Brunson has taken New York by storm. He is a killer on the court. Even during his days in Dallas, he was an elite player. Jalen thrives in the New York spotlight. The king of New York keeps Madison Square Garden popping. Brunson is a very physical player, as he bumps into the defender to get his shots off. Jalen controls his speed, which helps him get his floaters off. He is a good off-dribble player. Brunson can create his own shot. Due to the gravity Brunson pulls, he can create shots for his teammates. Jalen Brunson is a hardworking player. He works on his game, which earned him an All-Star spot. Not only has he seen success in the regular season, but Jalen Brunson has also been a good play-off player.

In the post-season, Jalen has been incredible. The Knicks made the second round in his debut season. He had a monster series against the Cavs, where he averaged 24 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Taking over as the leader for the Knicks. Fans were celebrating the fact that they were no longer a joke. They made Jalen into a hero in New York. He is the hottest commodity. His performance in the playoffs last year raised expectations. The Knicks had a better roster. Now, JB is playing with his Villanova teammates.

Donte Divincenzo has been incredible this season. He tore his ACL the year he won his NBA championship. Since then, he has been trying to find his grove. So, it was an interesting decision to bring him in for a four-year, $55 million deal. Uniting him with his two college teammates. And it has paid off. Donte is averaging 14 points per game, shooting 40 percent behind the arc. He is a good off-ball player and can handle the ball to create his own shot. Divincenzo has been the perfect role player for the Knicks, along with Josh Hart.

Josh Hart has been the perfect Knick. He does everything that a role player should. He is a good fast break player, a guy who can drive to the rim, a good rebounder, and a good defender. When New York needs someone to step up, Hart does a good job. Like when he dropped a triple double against the Cavs. Josh Hart is a true dog who plays hard night in and night out. The Knicks roster is full of dogs who step up when needed.

New York dominated in the mid-season. Trading for OG Anunoby, who is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Precious Achiuwa has become a good rotational player for the Knicks. Isaiah Hartenstein has been good at stepping up in the starting line-up. Mitchell Robinson has been a good defensive anchor in the league. Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic were great tradesmen as they brought in shooting. Jericho Sims, who is a young big man, and Miles Mcbride, who has been able to shine due to players being injured, The Knicks are one of the deepest teams in the league and could make the playoffs.

Basketball is alive again in New York. The Mecca of basketball is popping. Madison Square Garden is loud with cheers. Leon Rose and World Wide Wes have turned the Knicks around. Tom Thibodeau has won a coach of the year award in 2021. The dog culture is back. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson have become the faces of the city. When New York is good, it is great for the league. There is a possibility the Knicks make the eastern conference finals. Basketball is back in the garden, better than ever!

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