Can the New York Knicks go back-to-back?
The New York Knicks are trying to do something no team has done since 2017 and 2018: go back-to-back as NBA Champions.
The Golden State Warriors, led by Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, were the last team to repeat as champions. Since then, there have been eight different champions in eight seasons. Not only has no team gone back-to-back, but no team has also won multiple championships during this eight-year stretch.
The Knicks shocked many basketball experts and fans when they were able to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals, but they ran through the Eastern Conference, going 12-2, including sweeps in the second round and Eastern Conference Finals, before losing just one game in the Finals.
Can They Repeat?
We're in an era of championship parity with eight champions in the last eight seasons. The last three champions- the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder- were all favorites going into the next season, and none of those three teams got back to the Finals.
The Knicks are bringing back their same starting five of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns, and largely the same bench, with key contributors like Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, and Jordan Clarkson all coming back.
They lost Mitchell Robinson, but replaced him with Andre Drummond.
They won't sneak up on anyone this season, but their play in the NBA Cup and Playoffs makes them the team to beat.
Biggest Obstacle?
As always, the biggest obstacle is the variable you can't control: health. If the Knicks are healthy, they should be the favorites to at least come out of the East.
Though the East is much improved, with Philadelphia adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics getting a healthy Jayson Tatum and internal improvement, the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers still having strong rotations, and the Indiana Pacers getting Tyrese Haliburton back, the Knicks are the team with the championship pedigree that makes them the favorites.
They might have to deal with the Spurs or Thunder in the Finals, and both teams will be hungry after falling short last season, but the Knicks have the roster to trouble both and a coach who has proven he can get the most out of his guys in crunch time.
Championship Chances
The Knicks have the third-best odds (+900) to win the title this season, trailing the Thunder and Spurs (+270 each). It's easy to see why both teams would have better odds given their success last season, but the Knicks are closer than the odds give them credit for.
