After years of frustrating play, the New York Knicks were determined to get better this summer and finally become the team they have long desired to be.
On paper, they have a pretty solid squad that includes a big three of RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Jalen Brunson. While some fans are optimistic about what those guys can accomplish together, Jeff Van Gundy isn’t really sold on their potential.
Jeff Van Gundy Says The New York Knicks Are Not Good Enough To Compete For A Title
In a chat with Marc Berman of The NY Post, the former basketball coach got real on the Knickerbockers and explained his lack of faith in what they have built.
The Knicks have good players, but you line it up against the competition in the East, and this roster is not on the same level,’’ Van Gundy told The Post in a phone interview from his Houston home. “They could shock the world and be a playoff team, but I look at the East and I’d have to say eight to 13 is where they should be predicted. They’re not even close to a lock for the play-in. A lot has to go right.’’
”The one thing everyone can agree on, if the Knicks are to make a jump in the standings, they have to have a guy — or two guys — to build around,’’ the Rochester native said. “They still don’t have that building block, from a star player’s standpoint.’’
“I’m not being negative about those guys,’’ Van Gundy said. “Randle made an All-Star team, Barrett they hope continues to become a more efficient player. Jalen is in that category of fringe All-Star.
“That being said, if you’re going to make a significant jump in the Eastern Conference — when you have [Boston’s Jayson] Tatum, [Jaylen] Brown, [Brooklyn’s Kevin] Durant, [Milwaukee’s Giannis] Antetokounmpo, [Miami’s Jimmy] Butler, and [James] Harden and [Joel] Embiid in Philly, you need a top-20 player in the league. That’s what you build around. They’re still searching for that.”
Julius Randle was a hero for the Knicks a few years ago, leading them to the playoffs in an inspiring Cinderella run. After their playoff elimination, New York followed it up by not even making the playoffs at all.
Last campaign, they finished 11th in the East after a nightmarish regular season. Randle lost his mojo, Barrett didn’t provide enough help, and the team was mired in drama and chaos all campaign long. Will adding Jalen Brunson really change things all that much?
The jury is still out on that one, but the Knicks clearly have some stuff to prove heading into the 2022-23 season, and it will be interesting to witness how they respond.
