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The New York Knicks struck gold in 2024. Trading for OG Anunoby on New Year’s seemed like the perfect addition to the duo of Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson. Yet, the injury bug took away New York’s chances of contention.
Fast forward to the offseason, and somehow, New York topped themselves and acquired Mikal Bridges. Bridges is not only another 20 PPG scorer, but also one of the best friends of star Jalen Brunson and his other former Villanova teammates. This collection of talent, all sharing the same university, has spawned countless memes and been dubbed “The Power of Friendship.”
Raising a national championship in 2018 for Villanova, the most important factor this collection of talent possesses is their ability to win.
The addition of Mikal Bridges will open up the floor for his teammates
Winning at the highest level is a different beast, but team chemistry with adding Bridges boosts New York to contender status. The room to operate on the floor just got larger as Bridges shoots a respectable 37% from behind the arc. There won’t be swarming double teams for Brunson and Randle to navigate as Bridges demands the defense’s attention.
For stretches, it can be altered who the first option is to give rest or take attention away from say, Brunson or Randle. This luxury will result in big scoring nights from Randle, Brunson, and even Anunoby. A tier below, players like Donte Divincenzo, coming off a career-high year, and Josh Hart, will be granted even more open looks, which raises the floor of the New York Knicks.
Bridges could give the Knicks enough firepower to contend for the NBA Finals
Bridges played every game last season. His “Iron Man” ability paired with head coach Tom Thibodeau’s obsession with tenacious two-way players will cultivate a style of basketball that if results in a championship, will alter the blueprint to the likes of how Golden State changed the game in 2015.
As the Boston Celtics reign with multiple 20 PPG scorers, the Knicks have the ammo to match, but take it a step further with the level of chemistry in the rotation. Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game last season, on 43% from the field. More spacing for Bridges will allow better efficiency on an even higher volume.
In 2021, Bridges shot 54% from the floor on a Suns roster that went to the NBA Finals. Averaging 11 points per game in that run, Bridges played his role, but the experience and being a witness to what it takes to get over the hump make both Bridges and Anunoby perfect signings to a Knicks team on the return to glory.
