Knicks fans have every reason to feel hopeful yet cautious in this uneven start — and here’s why it matters more than ever
It’s easy to overlook, but just a year ago, the Knicks stumbled out of the gate with a 5-6 record. They managed to turn things around after a more manageable December schedule, catapulting to an impressive 24-10 by New Year’s Day.
Fast forward to now, after their recent victory over the Hornets (https://nypost.com/2025/11/26/sports/knicks-demolish-hornets-to-keep-control-of-nba-cup-destiny/), the Knicks sit at 11-6—also after navigating a relatively light early-season slate. So, when Knicks fans gather around today, they have solid reasons to feel grateful, but also justifiable reasons for quiet concern.
Let’s break down at least five reasons to appreciate where the Knicks stand—and five reasons to keep a watchful eye.
Reasons to be thankful
- Jalen Brunson’s adaptation: Truly great players evolve, and Brunson has done just that by smoothly adjusting to a new coach and a changed role (https://nypost.com/2025/11/06/sports/jalen-brunson-has-done-more-than-figure-it-out-in-new-knicks-offense/). His performance is nothing short of stellar: averaging 28.6 points, 6.3 assists, and maintaining a strong shooting accuracy of 48.1%, including 36.5% from beyond the arc, while keeping turnovers low at 2.4 per game. Brunson is on a trajectory that might place him as the best Knick since the legendary Patrick Ewing—if he hasn’t already reached that level. That alone is a major cause for optimism.
But here’s where it gets controversial: is Brunson truly capable of leading a team to an NBA title as the primary star? That question looms large and remains unanswered. Unless the Knicks make a bold move to bring in a player of higher star caliber (say, someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo), this debate won’t be settled anytime soon—probably not until well after the holiday season.
What do you think? Can Brunson carry this team all the way, or is it time for the Knicks to chase a superstar upgrade? This is the kind of question that sparks strong opinions, so feel free to share your take in the comments below.
