As the NBA season unfolds, the New York Knicks find themselves in a surprising position. Once favorites to take the East, they're now grappling with the reality of a dominant Detroit Pistons team that's seven games ahead. Despite the Knicks' impressive core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby, they haven't quite lived up to expectations.
The Pistons, on the other hand, are not only leading the conference but have also consistently outplayed the Knicks in their head-to-head matchups. Last night's game was no exception, with Detroit securing another commanding victory.
Cade Cunningham was the star of the show, delivering an MVP-caliber performance with 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 13 assists, leaving the Madison Square Garden crowd in awe. While Brunson put up a valiant 33 points, it simply wasn't enough.
Danny Green, speaking on the No Fouls Given podcast, didn't hold back his thoughts on this emerging rivalry. "That’s the definition of belt.
That is belt to a**," he declared, emphasizing the Knicks' struggles. He dismissed any excuses about the Knicks not being at full strength, pointing out that the Pistons were missing key players Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to suspension, yet still cruised to victory.
The Pistons, who pushed the Knicks to six games in last season’s playoffs, have clearly taken a leap forward. Their average margin of victory against the Knicks this season is a staggering 28 points, underscoring their dominance.
Green, once a believer in the Knicks, now questions their prospects. "I had New York as my favorites coming out of the East," he admitted.
"After this, it’s shaky bro. They better hope they don’t see Detroit in the playoffs because Cade Cunningham, every time he sees a Knicks jersey, he’s pulling out multiple belts."
Currently, the Knicks are tied with the surging Cavaliers for third in the East. A slip could mean an earlier-than-expected clash with Detroit, provided they navigate past the Raptors or Sixers in the first round.
Under new head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks still have time to regroup. But as Green and even Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony suggest, facing the Pistons in the postseason could be a daunting challenge. The Pistons are looking every bit like a title contender, and the Knicks will need to find answers fast if they hope to change their fortunes.