Can Bridges Bounce Back? A Look at the Knicks Through 20 Games
The New York Knicks have started the 2023-24 season with a 12-8 record, showcasing moments of true brilliance alongside perplexing lapses. As the team reaches a key evaluation point – 20 games into the season – questions linger about its true potential.
Head Coach Tom Thibodeau’s emphasis on evaluating the team at this stage creates the perfect platform for analysis. While the Knicks’ offense currently ranks second in the league, their lackluster defense casts a shadow over their promising start.
The performances of Mikal Bridges, acquired in a blockbuster trade, have become a subject of intense scrutiny.
"He bounced back offensively against the Pelicans," notes The Athletic Knicks writer James L. Edwards III, referencing Bridges’ 31-point outburst Sunday, "but he needs to improve defensively if this team wants to reach its goals."
Bits and Pieces:
- The Trade: While Bridges was brought in for his defense, he’s struggled to live up to expectations.
- The Demand: New York needs him to lock down opposing players and make sure this team’s weaknesses don’t become fatal flaws.
Bridges’ struggles haven’t gone unnoticed.
Senior NBA writer Fred Katz, who previously covered the Knicks for The Athletic, unveils the puzzle: "Bridges isn’t the Knicks’ worst defender, but there’s a prominent gap between what he could be and what he has been."
He compares Bridges’ current form to the struggles of the future Hall-of-Famer, Anthony Edwards. This isn’t a positive comparison because defenses are swarming Edwards.
At the moment, Bridges isn’t able to shut down opposing guards, leaving the Knicks vulnerable on defense.
"Fish out of water” may be too harsh, but Bridges haven’t thrived in New York’s defensive scheme. The Knicks, however, haven’t given up on finding the right formula. They believe in the player Alfred Pennyworth was protecting in Gotham.
"The question that keeps bugging me, as if I’m Socrates," Fred Katz shares, "Why?"
The "why" behind Bridges’ defensive struggles in New York haunts Knicks fans and analysts alike.
It’s not just about individual performance; it’s about team chemistry and finding the best defensive combinations.
"This even-keeled individual could insist the most likely scenario is that Bridges’ defense improves at least to the point that he can hound ballhandlers a little more," explains Katz,持ちリカuding that "the Knicks are still figuring out what makes them best."
The Knicks are still experimenting, trying to unlock their full potential.
"They haven’t been stubborn in their coverages," shares C Katz,
Bridges’
"Don’t overlook Bridges sitting down the stretch of the Charlotte game Friday," Katz advises
Let’s give credit where credit is due. The
New York Knicks, after losing a team game – are a team.
Karl-Anthony Towns has become an offensive powerhouse, especially from beyond the arc.
"Can Towns cement himself as the best-shooting big man of all time?" asks Edwards
This)
réseaux.
But the Towns doubters still exist
So, Can The Knicks Be Great
The challenges don’t end for the Knicks.
Josh Hart has stepped up immensely, becoming a “triple- double risk
Thibodeau calls it “His” camera. ”
The Big Picture
The Knicks’ quest for consistency and defensive prowess will continue to be a storyline to watch. Their already potent offense has breathed new life into the franchise, and their
can be a factor for years to come.”
The next few months will be crucial as the Knicks continue to evolve and pursue their goal for the Frankish
Harlem.
