The New York Knicks looked like a champion team as they started their campaign this year. Owing to their incredible defensive prowess, the Knicks managed to hover around the top spot at the Eastern Conference. Much of the credit went to their head coach, Tom Thibodeau. Unfortunately, as the season has started to advance, the Knicks started to falter in their defensive skill set. In their recent outing too, the Knicks struggled significantly.
Facing off against the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks huffed and puffed into overtime to secure a 149-148 victory. And such performances have surely put a question mark on Tom Thibodeau’s defensive identity. Expressing significant frustration over the same, Stephen A Smith lashed out at the Knicks’ recent approach.
“I’m really getting disgusted with this organization right now… I’m looking at the New York Knicks. Where’s the identity?… They gave up 149 points… I don’t like their absence of defensive ability,” said Smith via ‘First Take’.
"I'm really getting disgusted with this organization right now… I'm looking at the New York Knicks. Where's the identity?… They gave up 149 points… I don't like their absence of defensive ability."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 13, 2025
— Stephen A. Smith 👀
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/M5IMSdWmqX
Smith also gave his take on the Knicks’ playoff chances. He mentioned that if they continued playing like this, there was no chance teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics would spare them. Meanwhile, Knicks’ star athlete, Josh Hart, wants to make some significant improvements in order for his team to perform well in the playoffs.
Josh Hart Expects More Improvement From His Knicks’ Teammates
The words of Stephen A. Smith are not to be taken lightly. At least that’s what Knicks’ star Josh Hart has hinted at.
Stressing on being composed in tough situations, Hart acknowledged his team’s flaws and decided to address them during the All-Star break.
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“We’ve got to go out there and we’ve got to execute. We’ve got to get a lot better, I think. At 36 wins, we should have a couple more. We let a couple slip away,” said Hart on ESPN’s NBA Today.
"As a basketball player, you never want to come out of the game." 😤
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 13, 2025
Josh Hart to @malika_andrews on the New York Knicks leading the NBA in minutes played this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/4XwEGhxxRH
Hart further mentioned that the Knicks need to take their game one by one. And in turn, get back their form that once made the team a champion prospect in the beginning of the season. Thus, with problems galore, it now remains to be seen how things pan out in the future for the New York Knicks.
Also Read: Prayers Are Pouring In For Former Knicks Star Nate Robinson After Recent Health Update
