The New York Knicks are hitting their stride as they move into the post-All-Star break stretch. With eight wins in their last ten games, they've found a groove, particularly on defense, recently holding the Philadelphia 76ers to just 66 points.
However, to truly contend for a championship, many believe the Knicks need one more key piece. That piece might already be in place, but there are still some wrinkles to iron out before they can make a serious run.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been a beast on the boards, pulling down an average of 14.2 rebounds over the past nine games. This has been a huge boost for the Knicks.
Yet, his scoring hasn't quite matched his rebounding prowess. Averaging 16.3 points per game and shooting a mere 27.3% from beyond the arc in that span, Towns is not hitting his usual marks.
This season, he's posting his second-lowest points per game (19.8) and second-worst three-point percentage (35.1%) of his career.
For the Knicks to be in the championship conversation, Towns needs to elevate his game. Head coach Mike Brown might consider ramping up dribble hand-offs, increasing pick-and-roll plays with Jalen Brunson, and giving Towns more isolation opportunities in the post.
Towns also has some adjustments to make. He needs to keep his cool with the referees, hustle back on defense, and choose his shots wisely.
He should also assert himself more on the court, demanding the ball in the post and avoiding low-percentage shots. Given his talent, a return to form seems inevitable.
Beyond Towns, the Knicks have more to figure out, especially with integrating new additions Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan into their rotation. Alvarado, acquired just before the trade deadline, has already made his mark with his relentless defense and energy. His role is even more crucial with Miles McBride sidelined until late March due to a sports hernia.
Jeremy Sochan's role is still evolving. As a versatile defender standing six-foot-eight, he brings toughness and depth to the frontcourt.
Initially, he'll likely take minutes from Mohamed Diawara. Sochan's defensive versatility should catch Coach Brown's eye, and while his exact fit is still being determined, his past performances suggest he can be a disruptive force.
The Knicks are focused on solidifying their rotation. With a depth boost and considerable star power, the challenge now is deciding who gets playing time. Brown, who prefers a "9.5 man rotation," faces some tough choices.
In addition to the starting five, there's Alvarado, Sochan, McBride, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson vying for minutes. Robinson is a lock when healthy, but the guard rotation is more crowded. Alvarado, McBride, and Shamet seem likely to see regular action, which might leave Clarkson as the odd man out, despite his scoring ability off the bench.
Forwards present another puzzle. Shamet's versatility might allow him to slide into a forward role, but ideally, Sochan can fill in the gaps left by players like OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. If not, the question becomes whether Diawara can step up in the playoffs.
With 27 games left, the Knicks have time to sort these issues out. They're driven to surpass last season's performance and aim for the NBA Finals, with a championship win in their sights. This could be their best shot yet.