The New York Knicks’ 2020-21 season was a resounding success.
It just may not feel like that after a five-game series loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Before the tumble, though, there were several triumphs. The Knicks secured their first playoff trip since 2013. Julius Randle became their first All-Star since 2018. Tom Thibodeau made a compelling Coach of the Year argument. A team no one predicted to land anywhere near the Eastern Conference’s upper half instead locked up the No. 4 seed with a .569 winning percentage.
Maybe none of that cushions the blow of a first-round exit, but all of it should fuel the franchise for a potentially transformational offseason. The Knicks have the cap space to sign a star or the trade chips to deal for one, and this on-court growth should grant them the attention of the elites.
This could be a monumental summer for the organization. If New York follows this five-step blueprint, it will be.1. Be Selective and Ambitious in Star Search