3 reasons to be optimistic about New York Knicks' future ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season

#2 Tom Thibodeau's experience

New York Knicks Introduce New Signees

Tom Thibodeau signed a five-year deal with the New York Knicks that will keep him with the franchise for the next four years. In his first season with the team, he achieved the unexpected, just as he did in his first stint with the 2010-11 Chicago Bulls team.

Thibodeau succeeded in building a formidable team with the out-of-favor Julius Randle and a few other "average" players in the league. Fortunately, Randle was the spark in the New York Knicks' resurgence, which also saw him clinch a spot in the 2021 All-Star game.

Although Thibodeau has not won a championship as a head coach, he is one of the best in the business. He has won the NBA Coach of the Year award twice in his 11-year run as a head coach, and is well known for his defensive acumen.

Thibodeau knows the mentality a championship team needs to have and is on his way to building that with the New York Knicks. The team has played as a unit and has prioritized defending.

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#3 The New York Knicks have grown into a solid defensive unit

Nerlens Noel #3 of the New York Knick

While good offense guarantees buckets, it is no secret that great defense wins championships. That was the case for the Milwaukee Bucks as their defense stifled the Phoenix Suns, and they capitalized on the other end of the court. For Thibodeau, it all starts with great defense and has successfully inculcated that in the New York Knicks players.

From being ranked 23rd in defensive rating during the 2019-20 season under David Fizdale and Mike Miller, they finished the 2020-21 season as the third-best team in defensive rating behind the LA Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. Nerlens Noel is the anchor of their defense, which is why the New York Knicks re-signed him to a three-year deal worth $27.7 million.

Noel finished the season ranked 1st in defensive box plus/minus (3.5), third in blocks per game (2.2), and 2nd in defensive rating (101.2). With such a presence in the paint, the New York Knicks have a decent chance of changing their fortunes, only if they get better offensively. The introduction of Fournier and Walker, both elite creators and scorers, will go a long way in helping the New York Knicks achieve greatness.