The Knicks are the Best Team in the League

By: Ariel Rubin

As of Monday, December 22nd, the Knicks have won 20 games and have only lost 8. However, this record doesn't even truly show how great they are. 

Coming into this season, expectations for the Knicks were high. Last season, they lost to the Pacers in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals, and it was just brutal to watch. The Knicks, a team that was on the rise with a great fanbase like New York, came so close - close enough to touch the championship trophy - but they couldn’t quite succeed.

Because of this, their president, Leon Rose, and general manager, Gersson Rosas, knew that things needed to change. They knew that they didn't have a deep enough bench - when the 4th quarter came, the Knicks' needed a stronger bench to bring them to victory. 

Thus, they made investments to acquire Jordan Clarkson and power forward Guerschon Yabusele. Now, these may seem like trivial signings, but these players are key, especially Jordan Clarkson. 

In my opinion, right now, Clarkson is the best sixth man in Basketball. When the starters get tired, and they need someone to push the pace and make the offense flow, Clarkson is that guy. He’s a DAWG. 

It's insanely impressive that he is seventh on the NBA's all-time leading scores coming off the bench. How do you even do that when you only average 20 minutes per night?

Yabusele is a great pick-up since he exploded last season, averaging 11 points while shooting 50% from the field. 

Now, this season, he isn't averaging as much, but that isn't really his fault. This is due to the Knicks' lineup being so stacked that they can’t even find minutes to give him. I mean, this guy is so good that, coming into the 2016 draft, he was known as one of the best international prospects.

Moreover, the Knicks made their biggest change yet: hiring Mike Brown as their new head coach. 

Many people did not support this move, as the only accolades he had were being a two-time NBA coach of the year and winning a championship as an assistant coach. Personally, I thought that Thibedoua was much better suited for the Knicks, but I guess I was mistaken. 

The Knicks are top ten in many major categories, including points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and opponent points per game. That is just impeccable, and this is all due because of one man: JALEN BRUNSON. 

He is playing even better than last season. Averaging 30 points along with 7 assists. How is it possible that a 6’-2” guard is so good?  How does he drop 47 and act so casually about it?

Here’s my take: the Knicks will make the NBA finals this year. A team with great starters like Hart, impeccable rebounders like Robinson, great all-around players with Kat and Brunson, and then great shooters with Anunoby - they can't and won't be stopped. 

If you aren't riding along with this team, who are you riding with?