The middle of my three-part series looking at something every team and fanbase should be excited for. Part I here; Part III to follow.
New York Knicks
Reason for optimism: Inner peace
The Knicks were a bit of a roller coaster last season. The introduction of a new coach, Mike Brown, was necessary but risky. Karl-Anthony Towns complained about his offensive role, the defense was inconsistent, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart were constant targets of frustrated fans demanding benchings, and the team’s depth was a question mark. Sure, they won the NBA Cup, but few saw that as likely to portend a championship.
Then, May and June happened. The Knicks went on a heater the likes of which we’ve rarely seen before. They also won the Larry O’B.
Winning puts the mind at ease.
Perhaps I’m underestimating the subtle evils of Pat Riley’s Disease of More, but it feels like New York comes into this season with a far greater understanding of who they are. More importantly, they believe in themselves. They know that they can outshine even those famous Madison Square Garden spotlights.
In the words of Mel Brooks, “It’s good to be the king.”
New Orleans Pelicans
Reason for optimism: A defensive renaissance
The Pelicans aren’t all that far removed from being an excellent defensive team, ranking eighth in points allowed per 100 possessions in 2023-24 and sixth the season before. While I don’t expect them to reach anything like those lofty heights, new coach Jamahl Mosley will bring a renewed emphasis on a defensive identity to a roster that felt directionless last season.
No, there aren’t many talented defenders on the roster, and no, the roster doesn’t make all that much sense. In fact, it’s so poorly constructed that former All-Defensive wing Herb Jones may need to be the team’s starting “center” just to get a couple of stops:
But regular-season defense is schemable. Sensible tactics and high effort can make almost any group of NBA-caliber players at least passable on that end, and Mosley, for all his flaws, will get the absolute most of his limited roster. While nobody is putting Trey Murphy, Saddiq Bey, or Zion Williamson on any Best Defender lists, none of those guys are awful, either — notably, Zion has substantially improved his defense over the years. There’s value in not having a zero on the floor (and that’s only somewhat a Jeremiah Fears joke).
Even after making a money-shaving trade the other day, the Pelicans are still unsettled. They’re hoping to get Fears and Derik Queen on track after up-and-down rookie campaigns, and they need to decide which of their vets to keep and which to shop around.
But while New Orleans won’t be good next year, they will be professional. That means something after two straight seasons spent mostly masquerading as clowns, and it’s most likely to show up on the defensive end.
If Charlotte can end last season ranked 11th on defense, anyone can.