Steve Popper

<h3> 3&nbsp;reasons the Knicks might surprise </h3> 
 1. Continuity: While there has been chaos, good and bad, in the East with stars shifting locales and new coaches coming in, the Knicks bring back eight of their nine rotation players as well as the key depth pieces behind them. On a still young team that could be huge. 
 2. Depth: The Knicks are lacking the sort of superstar that Boston or Milwaukee (or Philadelphia) boast, but they are deep and the second unit, powered by Immanuel Quickley and newcomer Donte DiVincenzo, could provide a fast-paced attack with versatile defenders up and down the lineup. 
 3. The Villanova effect: The Wildcats won NCAA titles led by a trio of players who now make up a significant part of the Knicks rotation in Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo. Does that winning pedigree carryover when they unite in the NBA? 
<h3> 3 reasons they may disappoint </h3> 
 1. Wear and tear: The Knicks made it through last season without losing any of their key players for an extended stretch. But even if they are deep they are very reliant on Brunson and Randle, who have managed to play through tweaks and minor injuries (not so minor, too, as Randle underwent ankle surgery when the season ended). Losing one of them could derail the whole process. 
 2. Everything matters - everywhere: One of the advantages any Tom Thibodeau team has had is that they don’t take games off. Ever. So while many teams are playing around with load management or taking games lightly in the middle of the schedule the Knicks played with a fire every night. But what happens if coaches and players adhere to the new urging of the league to prioritize every game? 
 3. New York, New York: The Knicks' early-season schedule is a bear, opening with Boston at home and then three games on the road (9 of first 14 on the road). A slow start in the pressure cooker of MSG quickly raises the heat — see 2021-22.&nbsp;

3 reasons the Knicks might surprise 1. Continuity: While there has been chaos, good and bad, in the East with stars shifting locales and new coaches coming in, the Knicks bring back eight of their nine rotation players as well as the key depth pieces behind them. On a still young team that could be huge. 2. Depth: The Knicks are lacking the sort of superstar that Boston or Milwaukee (or Philadelphia) boast, but they are deep and the second unit, powered by Immanuel Quickley and newcomer Donte DiVincenzo, could provide a fast-paced attack with versatile defenders up and down the lineup. 3. The Villanova effect: The Wildcats won NCAA titles led by a trio of players who now make up a significant part of the Knicks rotation in Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo. Does that winning pedigree carryover when they unite in the NBA? 3 reasons they may disappoint 1. Wear and tear: The Knicks made it through last season without losing any of their key players for an extended stretch. But even if they are deep they are very reliant on Brunson and Randle, who have managed to play through tweaks and minor injuries (not so minor, too, as Randle underwent ankle surgery when the season ended). Losing one of them could derail the whole process. 2. Everything matters - everywhere: One of the advantages any Tom Thibodeau team has had is that they don’t take games off. Ever. So while many teams are playing around with load management or taking games lightly in the middle of the schedule the Knicks played with a fire every night. But what happens if coaches and players adhere to the new urging of the league to prioritize every game? 3. New York, New York: The Knicks' early-season schedule is a bear, opening with Boston at home and then three games on the road (9 of first 14 on the road). A slow start in the pressure cooker of MSG quickly raises the heat — see 2021-22.

Sports

Basketball

New York Knicks

SPBBKTHREE231025

Three reasons why the Knicks might surprise — and why they may disappoint

onecms:94ebd4dc-e7de-44b0-90f6-d054957b7759

Newsday

Why the Knicks might surprise — or disappoint — this season

Timberwolves Knicks Basketball

More Knicks

knicks article rail

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson will make a guest-starring appearance on "Law & Order: SVU" this fall.

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson to make an appearance on 'Law & Order: SVU' this fall

Mike Sweetney came to the Knicks with high expectations, but he played just two seasons in New York.

Former Knicks top 10 draft pick dies at 43

'We are rolling back to last year's prices plus an average increase of 12%,' MSG said in a statement.

Knicks pause single-game ticket sales to address 'mistake in our pricing'

The companies announced in July that the Gotham Sports App would be discontinued after the Yankees season and replaced by DAZN.

Gotham Sports App users can now switch to DAZN to watch YES, MSG Networks

More New York Sports

Sports Article Bottom Module

"I'm always pulling for him and pulling for those guys," Matthew Stafford said of Hall and the Giants. "Except for this week when we play them."

Giants' secret weapon vs. Rams: WRs coach Hall is QB Stafford's brother-in-law

The Yankees scored five runs in the first inning off Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rice hits 39th homer, Cole becomes winningest No. 1 draft pick as Yanks beat Arizona

Backups Dylan Garand and Joonas Korpisalo would have to be exposed to waivers if one of them was sent down.

Rangers might carry three goalies to start the season

Aaron Judge exited Wednesday's game in Minnesota in the sixth inning with what the Yankees called "right lower leg tightness."

Yankees' Judge to be placed on 10-day IL with right calf strain

Knicks trending bar

Knicks schedule/results

Knicks stats

Knicks roster

NBA standings

NBA scores

NBA odds

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

From the Long Island Pizza Festival to Ompahfest, check out all the fun things to do and explore this weekend.

What's up on LI this weekend

Lawrence football earned its first victory in four years and is hoping to start a memorable winning streak. NewsdayTV's Gregg Sarra has more.

Lawrence football on the rebound to winning ways 

Sample knishes, loaded mashed potatoes, a beer garden and more at the Long Island Potato Festival at Farmingdale State College on Sept. 26-27.

A carb-lover's dream

As fixed-rate mortgages approach 7%, the highest level since 2007, Long Island homebuyers are also contending with low inventory and high prices. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Homebuyers face high mortgage rates and prices

Supporters of "through-running" would like to see LIRR trains adding stops beyond Long Island. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

What is through-running and will it work at Penn Station?

Ken 'Batman' Buffa heads to 4th World Comics in Smithtown.

LI Works: The Dark Ken sells comic books

NewsdayTV's Andi Berlin visits No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin.

Newsday's Top 50 restaurants: A burger joint joins the list

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed checks out a beloved local staple where visitors near and far gather to grab tomatoes for their Sunday sauce.

Out East: Lenny Bruno Farms

New York State is mailing out energy rebate checks between $100 and $200 to taxpayers who qualitify. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'A check is always nice. A little more would be nicer.'

Long Island is the strongest seller's market in the country as limited inventory drives up home prices, according to a new study. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI bucking the national trend

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

New York Knicks - megaslot

Complete coverage of the NY Knicks with the latest news, scores, schedule and analysis.

3 reasons the Knicks might surprise

3 reasons they may disappoint

More Knicks

Stay logged in.