As the dust settles on the thrilling 2025 NBA playoff run, the New York Knicks find themselves reflecting deeply on their performance, especially as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite not making it to the NBA Finals, their journey showcased both promise and areas ripe for improvement. Here are three critical insights from this playoff run that the Knicks should seriously consider moving forward.
### Consider a Permanent Starting Lineup Shift
Throughout this season, the Knicks utilized a starting five that was the most frequently employed lineup in the league. Surprisingly, however, this unit was outscored by nine points from January 1 until the end of the regular season. The squad managed to nearly reach the Finals, primarily due to Jalen Brunson’s clutch performances and their gritty play, which often masked the starters’ shortcomings during slow starts.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau must be open to tweaking this lineup. In critical playoff moments, Josh Hart suggested a change to include Mitchell Robinson more prominently. With Robinson in the starting role, the Knicks showed signs of improvement in terms of offensive rebounding and defensive presence. While subbing Robinson in does risk slowing down the team’s transition game, it’s a change that could pay dividends against elite teams.
### Deepen the Bench Rotation
One of the key aspects that emerged from the playoffs was the need to deepen the Knicks’ bench rotation. During the Eastern Conference Finals, Thibodeau successfully integrated guards Delon Wright and Landry Shamet into the mix, resulting in immediate defensive stops against an offensive juggernaut like the Indiana Pacers. The use of these players highlighted a glaring issue: why wasn’t this kind of utilization applied throughout the regular season?
Although this isn’t to question Thibodeau’s overall job security, the heavy reliance on the starting unit could have diminishing returns. The regular-season data indicated that while Brunson, Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns performed well, they also faced fatigue and performance dips late in the season. Thus, expanding the rotation to utilize the bench effectively could breathe new life into the squad and allow stars to perform at their peak when it matters most.
### Maximize the Brunson-Towns Partnership
The duo of Brunson and Towns is undoubtedly a potent combination. However, there were challenges in their pairing throughout the season. While both made the All-NBA team, the Knicks must find more effective ways to utilize their strengths together.
In the early part of the season, Towns was receiving fewer shot attempts, limiting his impact. A stark contrast appeared in a game against the Miami Heat, where Towns exploded for 44 points, demonstrating his scoring capabilities when engaged properly. The coaching staff needs to focus on making sure that Towns receives the touches he needs while also ensuring he’s guarded correctly.
One issue that arose during the Eastern Conference Finals was defensive challenges stemming from their size and skill mismatches. As opponents targeted Brunson in pick-and-roll situations, it became clear that rearranging the starting alignment could alleviate some of the defensive burden.
### Conclusion
The 2025 Eastern Conference Finals run was a stepping stone for the New York Knicks, providing a valuable perspective on the team’s current strengths and weaknesses. Their overachievement has raised expectations for next season, but addressing the three areas discussed—shifting the starting lineup, deepening the bench, and creating more synergy between Brunson and Towns—will be crucial for their long-term success.
With the right adjustments, the Knicks could not only aim for another playoff appearance but also seek to make the elusive leap to the NBA Finals. Their loyal fanbase, enduring through decades of ups and downs, deserves nothing less than an earnest attempt to bring home a championship. As the team looks ahead, the focus must be on smart tweaks, inclusivity of the entire roster, and enhancing star pairings. With hard work during the offseason, we might witness an even stronger Knicks team in the 2025-2026 season.
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