Skip to main content

End of the 22-23 Knicks Season


Josh Hart was wide open at the top of the key. 

Julius Randle just didn't feel like the target of that pass. 

Jalen Brunson turning the ball over felt like an apropos. 

Regardless, the end of the 2022-2023 New York Knicks Season is here and it hurts. It definitely hurts. Yet, for the first time in SOOOOOOOOO LONGGGGGG, I have what's called, hope. Hope! 

As the youngest team in the NBA Finals, and one that fell just two games short of the Eastern Conference Finals, this team - heck, this organization! - is very much on the right path. 

This year was fun, and at the same time rewarding. Next year will surely come with some expectations, many of which have already started, including the latest need for a superstar. We all know how that goes. There is already a lot of dumb mock trades and ridiculous narratives that are driving me nuts. 

Regardless, it was a good year. We very much need to say that more. 

Here are five really salient thoughts as we head toward the off-season. 

Jalen Brunson is that Guy

I love this dude, man. He really might be my favorite Knick since Allan Houston. Yes, I'm a fan of Julius Randle, and that is more in a supportive,-I'm-behind-this-story-wherever-it-goes sort of want. When it comes to Brunson, I'm a straight-up fanboy. 

I don't have to spew words here to describe him or shower him with praise. The game is there. But what has drawn me to him more than anything is his leadership. 

I haven't seen that since, well...Ewing? 

Keep Josh Hart

Please resign Josh Hart. Hart needs to stay a Knick. He's found a home. And it's here, in New York City. 

The guy just does everything. Seriously, everything. 

Few Stars, Choose Stars

PLEASE don't get trigger-happy with available "stars" on the market. I'm already unsure how I feel about the Karl-Anthony Towns early rumors. 

All I'm saying is don't trade the picks and our young guys for someone who is beyond their prime, or unable to carry their current team. 

Don't mess this up for the quick fix - because there is none. 

Keep this Team Together

Okay, it's time to get all controversial and issue "hot takes" or whatever it is we do in sports discourse these days. 

Place me in the crazy (or rational?) pool that believes you keep this unit/core together - yes, that includes Julius Randle - and you move forward. EVERY team goes through some sort of road to the top. The Knicks were the YOUNGEST TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS. Why would you mess with that?

Also, in addressing the obvious, who are you trading Randle for? Who is the sure-fire needle-mover that you're getting back in a deal to move Randle? 

By the way, Randle is a 3rd Team All-NBA. There is supreme value there. Soooo what?! Trade the Bum! 

I'm all for improving the bench, continuing to move forward, and taking one step closer as a unit. 

The Knicks have something that has escaped them for so long, and that no one is discussing - continuity. Which ultimately leads to culture. 

The Knicks have a culture. Let's let that grow. 

Keep Developing

Give the Knicks and their staff their flowers for developing Mitch Robinson. 

RJ Barrett unlocked something in this playoff run. I need Barrett to be a better shooter. 

I would love for Grimes to take another step - possibly becoming a more reliable shooter. 

Obi Toppin has one more year in orange and blue - I strongly believe that. 

Plus, whatever sorcery Leon Rose will work on Draft Night - as he always does. 

Add/ Improve Shooting

It was a problem all year. 

I know, there was Evan Fournier - but Thibs is not a Fournier guy. He's likely on his way somewhere this summer. 

Give me a knockdown shooter that can stay on the floor in Thib's defensive scheme. 

Give me some depth off the bench - you know, beyond Derrick Rose and Evan Fournier who awkwardly took up space and roles on the bench. 

I hate to say it - Max Strus and Gabe Vincent are free agents. They lit us up. 

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Incredibles 2 (2018)

What is it about? The Parr family returns to take on a new mission which involves a change in family roles as well as a new villain. Who is in it? Craig T. Nelson - Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible Holly Hunter - Helen Parr/Elastagirl Sarah Powell - Violet Parr Favorite Scene: After trying to contain Jack-Jack, his constant battle with a backyard rodent opens up the family to the multitude of powers that he possesses, or even, can develop. Favorite Quote: "If you wanna get out of the hole, first you gotta put down the shovel." Review: Like many, I LOVED the original Incredibles film. And yes, I too was annoyed whenever a sequel wasn't announced. After all, there were many franchises that debuted, got a sequel, and even moved straight to release on their third installment before our lovable heroic family got their turn! But I digress... Nonetheless, it finally arrived. And if I'm being honest, The Incredibles 2 was good. It just wasn't what I wa

AEW All IN: London (2023) Review: "This large of a crowd for an event that wasn't the WWE!"

I'm obviously registering these thoughts incredibly late, but such is the current state of pro wrestling right now - there is just so much going on, and so much to enjoy. It's a great time to be a fan, regardless of where your tribalism fandom falls - if you carry such allegiances.  I'm sure no matter what product you find entertaining, you circled AEW's All In event from Wembley Stadium as a must-watch. I don't care about someone else's "take" on the attendance total - I couldn't care less if it was the record for a pro wrestling event or not - what AEW was able to accomplish is absolutely amazing! Four years in, and the company produced an event on the levels of Wrestlemania in terms of attendance and business - that's damn impressive! Tony Khan and the entire company deserve loads of credit for taking that leap because it very much could have failed. They took a chance, and absolutely delivered (and so much more), and proved there is a subs

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/10/23

3 Up 1. Coco Gauf & Novak Djokovic - The US Open wrapped up this weekend and tennis crowned some deserving champions. Djokovic continues to add to a remarkable career with his 24th (!!) grand slam title win. And of course, Coco Gauff won over America with her win. It's impressive to see the effect that the Williams sisters have had on tennis - wow. Looking forward to seeing the star Gauff will become.  2. Olivia Rodrigo - Her first album was fire. Even this late-thirties male enjoyed it. The sophomore album is always the toughest and Rodrigo apparently (haven't listened to it myself, yet) dropped an absolute banger in "Guts". So much so, that it broke records for debut stream with over 60 million streams!  3. Deion Sanders - There's way to much dialogue around Sanders that isn't needed. Here is what it boils down to for me - Sanders took over a program that was 1-11. He brought in 80+ players. His team is currently 2-0, including victories over a ranked op