The Knicks are 5-0 since the O.G Anunoby trade. Is this a good sign for things to come?
Well, it seems like Josh Hart was on to something. Recently, he stated how this team always plays well after a trade goes down. This was the case when Hart was traded last February to New York. And it looks to be the case now.
Since the trade for O.G Anunoby, The Knicks are 5-0. They have jumped up to the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. Anunoby’s seamless fit has elevated the Knicks on both ends of the floor. And has given the role players an opportunity to flourish. The best example of this is the statement 128-92 win the Knicks had against the 3rd seeded 76ers last Friday night.
New York Knicks Trade: Opportunity to Shine
When you are able to beat one of the best teams in the league it puts people on notice especially when your role players play well. Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride combined for 34 bench points while shooting 8-15 from behind the arc. Mcbride made 4 straight threes in his first 5 minutes of play. While Grimes continued to pour it on in the 4th quarter.
Also, these two played well in last night’s 112-84 win against the Trailblazers. Grimes finished the game with 17 points (5-11 from the field) while McBride tallied 16 points (6-13 from the field). The loss of Immanuel Quickley meant that these guys were going to have to step up to the plate off the bench. Fortunately, they have been able to make an impact and are a big reason for this 5 game win streak. It’s going to be exciting to see the growth from these two moving forward.
New York Knicks Trade: Stats Don’t Lie
Winning is great but the margin of victory makes the wins feel even better. Since the trade, the Knicks have won 4 out of their last 5 games by double digits, with their average win margin being 20.4 PPG. Also, O.G Anunoby has a +115, which is the highest in NBA history for a player in his first 5 games. Plus, Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson have each scored 30 or more points in the same game twice during this stretch. When your top players are performing at this level while also being the top ranked defense in the Association, it makes you that more dangerous against the NBA’s best.
The Knicks have the personnel that’s perfect for a coach like Tom Thibodeau. He’s been able to get the best out of this team since the trade and continued to put the team in positions to flourish. His contribution can’t be overlooked especially when he was the main person that urged this team to make this move. It looks like he was onto something.
Things have been great for the Knicks since this trade but they need to keep this momentum going. The seeding is really tight in the Eastern Conference right now so winning streaks can be a huge help in the long run. Ultimately, the future is uncertain but with the way this team is playing, the future’s looking bright.
GO NEW YORK! GO NEW YORK, GO!
Next Game
Thursday Night, January 11th @ The Mavericks
