Here are eight bold predictions for the Knicks and Nets for the 2023-24 NBA season...
Mitchell Robinson will make an NBA All-Defensive Team
Robinson had a great defensive season last year, but he didn’t get national recognition for it. Robinson did not receive a vote for either of the two NBA All-Defense Teams. The voting took place in the regular season before Robinson dominated the Cavaliers in a first-round series win.
I think that performance elevated Robinson in voters’ eyes. This season, I think Robinson will continue to anchor the Knicks’ defense and add value in ways that can – and can’t – be quantified by stats. My bold prediction here is that Robinson, if healthy, will make one of the NBA’s All-Defense teams. Competition will be strong but I think Robinson separates himself by the Knicks’ numbers with him on and off the court.
Knicks’ injury luck regresses
Last season, New York was in the bottom five in games missed. Part of that was due to players like Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, Robinson and RJ Barrett playing through discomfort. But a certain amount of luck had to factor in. New York was hit with a significant injury at the worst possible time (Randle’s ankle injury in the playoffs). But outside of Randle’s ankle, Robinson’s thumb and Quentin Grimes’ early season foot ailment, the Knicks avoided major hits.
The big prediction here is that the Knicks regress a bit in this area. I think the total number of games missed by rotation players will increase. I’m predicting this for two reasons: 1) it’s hard to replicate that kind of health and 2) three of the Knicks’ regulars (Brunson, Barret, Hart) played in the FIBA World Cup.
So I think the Knicks will be cautious with their workload over the sixth-month regular season.
Julius Randle improves efficiency
Randle said he is going to be a more efficient player this season. I think he’ll back up those words. Randle watched a lot of film over the summer while rehabbing a surgically repaired ankle. Those film sessions yielded a higher understanding of what he wants to do on the floor.
Randle has already made strides toward greater efficiency in his shot selection. Last season, he attempted 8.3 three-pointers per game. Forty-four percent of his attempts were from beyond the arc. I think the percentage will be similar this season but my big prediction is that his overall shot attempts will be down from 18.9 and his true shooting percentage will increase from 58.1 last year.
I think Randle gets to his spots more often in his second year with Brunson and he spends more time with the bench unit. There, his advantage over the backup power forward will yield good shots and a strong field goal percentage.
Jalen Brunson will make the All-Star team
The Knicks are returning eight of their nine rotation players from last season. They should win games at nearly the same rate they did last season. If that’s the case, Brunson will be one of the biggest factors behind the success. And his play will be too strong to ignore when the All-Star vote comes around.
Based on last year’s voting, the fan tally won’t get Brunson in the game. But my big prediction here is that the coaches will vote him in. If you ask an opposing coach about Brunson, they routinely praise him as a winner and a steady presence. I think Brunson, if healthy, will only enhance those attributes this season. And the coaches who face him will vote him in as an All-Star.
