I’ve been following the New York Knicks for years, and I’ll be honest—I’ve seen them go through some pretty rough stretches. But something about this upcoming season feels different. With the Eastern Conference looking more competitive than ever, the Knicks have a real shot at not just making the playoffs, but actually dominating. And if you ask me, it all comes down to building around a central figure, much like the way the Tamaraws rely on Konateh to anchor their efforts. In basketball, as in many team sports, having that one player who can be the center of it all—someone who commands attention, elevates teammates, and delivers in clutch moments—is absolutely essential. For the Knicks, that player has to be Jalen Brunson. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, but I believe he’s capable of so much more.

Let’s break it down. Last season, the Knicks finished with a 47–35 record, which isn’t bad, but it’s not dominant. They made it to the second round of the playoffs, only to fall short against the Miami Heat. Watching those games, I couldn’t help but notice how much they struggled when Brunson was off the floor. His on/off numbers tell a compelling story: the team’s offensive rating dropped by nearly 8 points when he wasn’t playing. That’s a huge gap, and it underscores just how vital he is to their system. But here’s the thing—Brunson can’t do it alone. Look at the Tamaraws’ model with Konateh; he’s not just a scorer or a defender; he’s the glue that holds everything together. The Knicks need Brunson to embrace that role fully. He’s already a crafty scorer—averaging 24 points per game last season—but I’d love to see him ramp up his playmaking. Imagine if he boosted his assists from 6.2 per game to somewhere around 8 or 9. That would force defenses to pick their poison, opening up opportunities for guys like Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

Of course, basketball isn’t just about one player, no matter how talented. The supporting cast has to step up, and frankly, the Knicks have some work to do here. Randle is a beast when he’s on, but his consistency has been a question mark. Last season, he shot just 43% from the field, which is below what you’d expect from a star forward. Then there’s the bench. I’ve always believed that depth wins championships, and the Knicks’ second unit has to be more reliable. Players like Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin have shown promise, but they need to deliver night in and night out. Quickley, for example, averaged 14.6 points off the bench—decent, but not game-changing. If he can push that to 18 or 20, it would take so much pressure off the starters. And let’s not forget defense. The Knicks were middle-of-the-pack defensively last year, ranking 15th in defensive rating. That has to improve if they want to dominate the East. Teams like the Celtics and Bucks are stacked with two-way players, and the Knicks need to match that intensity.

Another area where the Knicks can gain an edge is three-point shooting. The modern game is built around the three-ball, and the Knicks have been lagging behind. Last season, they attempted just 32.5 threes per game, which put them in the bottom third of the league. Compare that to the Warriors, who hoisted up over 40 per game. I’m not saying the Knicks need to become the Warriors, but they have to adapt. Brunson and Barrett are solid shooters, but the team as a whole needs to be more aggressive from beyond the arc. If they can increase their attempts to around 36 or 37 per game while maintaining a decent percentage—say, 36% or higher—it would spread the floor and create more driving lanes. This is where the Konateh analogy really hits home. Just as Konateh’s presence allows the Tamaraws to execute their game plan, a reliable three-point attack would open up the entire offense for the Knicks.

Coaching is another piece of the puzzle. Tom Thibodeau is a defensive mastermind, but sometimes I feel like his offensive schemes are too rigid. He tends to rely heavily on isolations and post-ups, which can stagnate the offense. In today’s NBA, ball movement and player movement are key. The Knicks averaged just 23.5 assists per game last season, which ranked 25th in the league. That’s not going to cut it against elite teams. Thibodeau needs to incorporate more motion and pick-and-roll actions to keep defenses guessing. I’d love to see him take a page out of the Spurs’ playbook—constant movement, unselfish passing, and exploiting mismatches. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about tweaking the system to maximize the talent on the roster.

Now, let’s talk about the intangibles—the stuff that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheets. Leadership, chemistry, and mental toughness are what separate good teams from great ones. The Knicks have a young core, and they need a vocal leader to guide them through tough moments. Brunson has the potential to be that guy, but he’ll need to be more assertive. I remember watching a game against the Celtics last season where the Knicks blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. There was no one on the court rallying the troops, no one demanding accountability. That has to change. The great teams—like the Jordan-era Bulls or the recent Warriors—always had that one player who could steady the ship. For the Knicks, it has to be Brunson. He’s got the IQ and the work ethic; now he needs to embrace the role of being the heart and soul of the team.

Looking ahead, the Eastern Conference is stacked with talent. The Celtics have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Bucks have Giannis, and the 76ers have Embiid. It’s a gauntlet, but I genuinely believe the Knicks can rise to the challenge. It starts with health—staying healthy throughout the season is crucial. Last year, the team dealt with several key injuries, including Randle’s ankle issues and Barrett’s finger problem. If they can stay relatively healthy, they’ll be in a much better position. Additionally, the front office needs to be proactive. Maybe they make a mid-season trade to bolster the roster—perhaps adding a sharpshooter or a defensive specialist. I’ve heard rumors about targeting someone like Buddy Hield, and I think that could be a smart move. Hield is a career 40% three-point shooter, and his spacing would be a huge asset.

In conclusion, the path to dominance in the Eastern Conference isn’t easy, but it’s achievable for the Knicks. By building around Jalen Brunson as their central figure—much like the Tamaraws do with Konateh—and addressing key areas like three-point shooting, defense, and offensive flexibility, they can take that next step. It’s going to require buy-in from everyone, from the coaching staff to the last man on the bench. As a longtime fan, I’m optimistic. I’ve seen this team overcome adversity before, and with the right adjustments, they can absolutely make some noise next season. The East better be ready, because the Knicks are coming.