Apr 18, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers
(New York, NY) – The survey says: expect the Knickerbockers to reach the playoffs this year.
That’s per an annual questionnaire posed to NBA GMs, who picked the New York Knicks to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference. Such a result would be identical to New York’s 2022-2023 regular season finish. It would also mean the Knicks making the playoffs for the third time inside four years.
The GM survey saw the Knicks receive 17% of all third place votes, and 33% for fourth place. After bursting onto the New York basketball scene last year, Jalen Brunson received votes within the “individual” category. He was the only Knick to get votes.
As for how the GMs rank coaches, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau finished in a tie for the second-most votes when ranking the coach with the best defensive schemes. Thibs was tied with Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra ranked number one in best defensive schemes.
The Knicks begin their regular season at home against the Boston Celtics on October 25.