Things were looking a little dicey for the defending champions in the first few games of the new season. 

However, after a 0-3 start to the campaign, the New York Knicks (4-4) are back at .500, having won four of their last five. 

Head coach Mike Brown had to look to his tried and tested performers to weather the storm. Granted, the Knicks' schedule eased up after facing Philadelphia, Boston, and Orlando in their opening three fixtures. But they still had to dust themselves off and take advantage. 

Here are the three biggest standouts from New York's turnaround: 

None other than the Knicks' captain. The champs go as their No. 11 goes, and Brunson had to shift into another gear after a slow start to the year. 

His step up in aggressiveness has been evident. He scored a combined 40 points in the Knicks' first two games. He's averaging 28.5 points over their last four. 

Brunson has led the Knicks in scoring in three of their last four games, responding accordingly as the reigning Finals MVP. 

Brunson's high was a 38-point outburst in New York's 133-127 win against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 28. 

The second half of the Knicks' two-headed monster. 

Towns came into the season on the back of disappointing contract extension talks with the franchise. However, recent performances suggest he has put all of that in the rearview. 

KAT has led the Knicks in rebounds in each of their last six games, averaging 13.6 boards this year. He has had double-digit rebounds in every game this season, but has really turned it up a notch in terms of physical dominance lately. 

Towns stamped his arrival with a 27-point, 20-rebound double-double, guiding the Knicks to their first win of the campaign, 111-97, against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 27 at Madison Square Garden. 

The 30-year-old is averaging 19.9 points, shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Although the sixth man rarely operates on the front lines, Shamet has provided a level of consistency that the Knicks couldn't have done without from the bench. 

Shamet is averaging 9.4 points per game, shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range — an excellent early return on New York's investment after he was re-signed to a four-year, $23.9 million extension in the offseason. 

Shamet poured in a season-high 22 points in the Knicks' 103-90 win against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 2, leading the team in scoring. He shot an efficient 6-for-8 from the field and 4-for-6 from deep. 

While things are once again looking up, the Knicks could use another statement win against a top opponent to add more wind into their sails. They'll get their opportunity on Saturday in Cleveland when they face the Cavaliers (4-4).