The New York Knicks faced a tough night on Thursday, suffering their third loss of the season to the Detroit Pistons, marking a clean sweep by their Eastern Conference rivals. It's not just the losses that sting, but the manner in which they've happened.
The Knicks have struggled to stay competitive, falling by 15 points on Thursday, 31 points on January 5, and 28 points on February 6. For a team eyeing a top spot in the East, these results are concerning.
Despite this, the Knicks aren't hitting the panic button just yet. New trade acquisition Jose Alvarado remains unfazed by the regular-season sweep, offering a confident perspective during his post-game media session.
"Playoffs is a whole different ball game," Alvarado emphasized. "Just because they beat us in the regular season, doesn't mean we're out. When it counts, that's when it matters."
Alvarado's confidence isn't misplaced. The Knicks have been here before.
Last season, they were swept by both the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the regular season. While they didn't face Cleveland in the playoffs, they managed to eliminate Boston in six games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
For Knicks fans, this could be a sign of potential postseason resilience. If history is any guide, New York might just have what it takes to turn the tables on Detroit if they meet in the playoffs.
However, it's worth noting that those successes came under the guidance of Tom Thibodeau. Now, with Mike Brown at the helm, the challenge is to ensure his team can elevate their game when it matters most. As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on how the Knicks respond to this regular-season adversity.