Last season's Knicks comparisons deemed irrational by Josh Hart

Knickin' It Up in 2024

New York, New York - The Big Apple's beloved basketball team is in the spotlight once more, and it's not just the nostalgia that has folks talking. Last season's Knicks might have captured the city's heart, but the current squad boasts a whole new vibe, led by Jalen Brunson.

Chuck D, the Public Enemy frontman and Knicks enthusiast, tweeted last weekend, "Donte DiVincenzo had a die-hard fanbase in NY. But now it's all about Brunson."

That's right - the old Knicks are old news. The crew that overachieved, outrebounded, and personified the '90s Knicks grit, have made way for new expectations, a slicker identity, and a team that's two wins away from an Eastern Conference semifinal.

Josh Hart, one of the few leftovers from the previous squad, sent a clear message during the weekend: embrace the new Knicks instead of dwelling on the past. "If you keep dwelling on the past and comparing yourself to previous teams, you lose sight of what you have," Hart said. "And this team - we don't care about the toughness, because we feel we have that. But we also feel like we have the offensive firepower to put up 140 points. So it doesn't really affect us."

In short, the Knicks of 2024-25 are telling fans to get on board, or stay on the sidelines when they taste success. "Comparisons are the thief of joy," Hart added. "We're gonna compare ourselves to last year? We don't have Donte, we don't have Isaiah Hartenstein, we don't have Julius Randle... This team is different."

With a 2-1 series lead going into Game 4, a victory would almost certainly seal their advancement, potentially setting them up against the mighty Celtics. For now, the Knicks are preparing in a high school gym outside of Detroit, with Coach Thibodeau preaching elimination of distractions.

Plenty of conversation surrounds the physicality of this series - particularly regarding the contrast between the tough 2023 Knicks and the current squad. While the old team might have lost in the playoffs due to injuries and talent, the purpose of reshaping the roster was to raise the ceiling. The addition of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns has indeed led to improved efficiency in scoring, with the starting lineup pushing the Knicks to the fifth-best offensive rating in the regular season.

But will it work in the playoffs? Find out Sunday in Detroit, as the Knicks aim to keep their eyes on the prize, rather than dwelling on the past.

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Enrichment Data:

2024-25 New York Knicks: The team's new offensive identity now revolves heavily around Jalen Brunson's scoring prowess, with 54 field goal attempts in the first two playoff games, compared to only 12 passes to Karl-Anthony Towns[1]. They have abandoned the pick-and-pop strategy expected to define their offense, relying primarily on isolation scoring. Brunson’s impressive clutch-time performance further highlights his role as the closer. Originally, the roster reshuffle, specifically the addition of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, aimed to lead to efficient scoring with a wing-centric attack and attack Towns’ matchup advantages. However, the current underutilization of Towns and wings risks stagnation against elite defenses like the Celtics[1][2].

Reference(s):[1] Source 1[2] Source 2

In preparation for the upcoming Game 4, the 2024-25 Knicks are focusing on eliminating distractions and rising above their toughest opponents, the mighty Celtics. The team's new offensive strategy, led by Jalen Brunson, relies heavily on his scoring abilities, with 54 field goal attempts in the first two playoff games compared to just 12 passes to Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite the shift away from the pick-and-pop strategy, Brunson's clutch-time performance showcases his closing capabilities. However, underutilization of Towns and the wings risks stagnation against potent defenses like the Celtics. Fans are encouraged to embrace the present Knicks squad, with Josh Hart advocating for a focus on the team's current potential rather than dwelling on the past. Next season's success could pave the way for more NBA basketball enjoyment in the Big Apple.