The New York Knicks recognized that they needed to overcome the Boston Celtics to win an NBA Championship. Given their current roster, the Knicks understood they must make bold decisions. Their first step was re-signing OG Anunoby with a contract extension worth $211 million. After securing Anunoby, the Knicks made an even bolder move by trading four first-round draft picks and one unprotected draft pick to acquire Mikal Bridges. This trade aimed to strengthen their wing positions to better compete with the Celtics.
Then there was the trade where they gave up Julius Randle and received Karl Anthony Towns. These moves gave the Knicks the advantage at the center and point guard positions, and although the Celtics still had the better forwards in Tatum and Brown, the Knicks had covered some ground in that department.
First, moving forward to the second round of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics tandem of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum could not dominate the Knicks’ wings of Bridges and Anunoby. Yes, the Celtics forwards both played well, but it wasn’t exactly Bruce Brown vs. Kobe Bryant. The Celtics’ forwards were good, but they weren’t great. Considering that the Knicks are better at the Center (Karl Anthony Towns) and point guard (Jalen Brunson) positions, being good wasn’t enough.
The writing is on the wall: the New York Knicks are no longer the team that lost to the Boston Celtics 4-0 in the regular season. It’s remarkable how quickly this team has developed and dethroned the defending champions. What the Celtics will do from here is uncertain, but whether with Tatum or without him, it is clear that Boston is no longer the best in the East.
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