"New York Knicks: A Core of Unknown"

As their postseason run concluded on Saturday night, the New York 
Knicks were left with plenty of questions. An offseason of unknown to if 
this current core can win a championship. Players in humble, subtle 
responses after losing to Indiana in game six 125-108. A team with high 
expectations now face reality of getting back and finishing the job. 

New York's roster was built to beat rival Boston; but never could they 
imagine running out of shots against Indiana. It was orange and blue 
skies until golden flashes of sprint cars ran them off into the offseason. 
The Knicks made every move possible in trading for Mikal Bridges and 
Karl Anthony-Towns. Giving up draft equity to win now is the business of 
any sport. Sacrificing and spacing out your roster to have a chance. 

As the Knicks took moral defeat, their confidence is very high. But the 
question I ask for fans: Is Thibs done in New York? If so, who should be 
your next head coach? When the playoffs started, there was a sense of 
pressure with Thibs and if he failed could it be his last apple in New 
York. The question is now will he relieved and hire a new head coach to 
put this team over the hurdle? It's what fans could be thinking but I'm 
ahead of the news for you. 

Given Thibs' defensive mindset and not very knowledgeable for offense, 
running pick and roll with Brunson and Towns is very predictable. Not 
playing his bench has been a huge factor with six players. Old school 
basketball with guys playing an average of thirty-eight minutes isn't 
doable in today's NBA. It screams injuries waiting to happen and Thibs 
didn't learn his lesson from 2024. Towns is a defensive liability; while 
getting him away from the rim is something fans can't ignore. Brunson 
isn't a good defender either and can be switched on. 

This core of Knicks players have the makings of a championship, but
Thibs isn't the answer. Yes, he's still a good defensive coordinator but
lacks offensive schemes to utilize all his starters. The way I see it is
moving on from Thibs and hiring former head coach Mike Malone. I
could be "khaotik" for this take but it wouldn't surprise me if the front
office makes this change come July. The pressure would then be on a
roster whose underachieved and needs a new voice.

The Eastern Conference as a whole is weak and New York has the
upper hand in 2026. With Cleveland likely running it back with their core,
Boston has plenty of decisions to make with their roster. Philadelphia is
overhyped and can't be trusted. Indiana has arrived on schedule with a
new blueprint for winning. Where will Giannis land this summer and the
list goes on.

New York should enter the 2026 season as favorites depending on what
happens with Thibs. Can they make a couple small moves here and
there to add depth? It's the unknown New York has to face with a lot of
questions and shorthanded answers. Fans haven't seen a title since
1973 back and this was a missed opportunity to make a case for a
championship. They'll wait and observe what's next in order to have
brighter grand and blue skies.