SO MANY THOUGHTS NOW: Was Jalen Brunson’s statement right about Knicks?

•  The Knicks improved this season with a 47-35 record and the No. 2 spot in the East.
•  Key injuries impacted the Knicks in a hard-fought playoff series against the Pacers.
•  The future looks bright with core players returning for next season.

Indiana Pacers following a spirited seven-game series. After dropping their opening two games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Pacers looked certain to lose. But after Indiana won Games 3 and 4 at home, the Pacers defeated New York and moved on to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they will take on the formidable Boston Celtics.

The Knicks, predictably, struggled with numerous ailments during the series. OG Anunoby, for example, missed four games due to a hamstring issue and played only five minutes in Game 7. Josh Hart was clearly not well after suffering an abdominal strain in Game 6, even though he was able to suit up on Sunday afternoon.

The Knicks season ended well before the final buzzer, as Jaleen Brunson shattered his left hand in the fourth quarter of Game 7. As if those injuries weren’t horrible enough.

Despite the fact that almost all Knicks supporters were upset about the team’s early elimination, many still think the season was a success. But Brunson gave a resounding “no” when asked by the reporters after the game if he thought the season was a success. Was he right, though? Or should the progress of his team inspire the All-Star?

How Far Have The Knicks Come?

Knicks improved in several areas since 2022-23

With a 47-35 record at the end of the 2022–2023 season, the Knicks secured the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. The squad easily defeated the Cavaliers in five games, but the Miami Heat—a team that made it to the NBA Finals—destroyed them in the next round. Naturally, New York had bigger expectations for 2023–2024 after making it to the second round.

Generally speaking, the regular season wasn’t all that horrible. New York persisted even after the Knicks lost Julius Randle in January and Mitchell Robinson in December. However, the Knicks acquired Anunoby before the deadline to lessen the blow. Even though the former Raptor missed time due to an elbow ailment, it was clear that the trade paid off.

Finally, New York proved to be a step up from the previous season as they claimed the second-best slot in the Eastern Conference. Of course, it is devastating to lose a difficult postseason series. But, given that Brunson, Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo will be reuniting, there’s cause for everyone associated with the franchise to have hope for the future. Unless a trade occurs during the summer, Randle will be on the roster for at least another season.

Simultaneously, Miles McBride seems to be making his way into the Sixth Man of the Year discussion, and Isaiah Hartenstein might make a comeback. Having said that, Brunson is right when he says the season wasn’t a success—at least for anyone who think winning a championship is the ultimate goal. However, the Knicks are already a dominant team in the Eastern Conference, and come October, expectations are high for New York to be even more potent.