The Knicks, even with their top three scorers nursing injuries or resting to prevent one, took down the Pacers on Wednesday night thanks to three of their youngsters showing out to the tune of 30-point games apiece.
Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes teamed up to make NBA history by each scoring over 30 points while hitting at least five 3-pointers, and BT says that showing from the youth on this team, combined with the assets the organization still possesses after not making a trade for Donovan Mitchell, makes the Knicks the team in New York that is best set up to compete for a championship.
"They continue to show us that their future is…I think I can say this," BT said to set things up. "The lone exception could be the Rangers. I think the Knicks have the most upside in this city, if I'm gonna push this forward the next five years, to be championship relevant or as close to championship relevant. I think you can make a real case that it's the Knicks, more than the Yankees - Stanton is getting older, LeMahieu is getting older - the Mets have a myriad of issues…the Nets are interesting, they have some good young talent, the Rangers have a great young goalie, that's why I have to get the Rangers in the conversation.
"The Jets with Rodgers is a one or two-year window. The Giants are still building that talent, and the Devils are interesting too. But I really think it's the Knicks."
By not trading for Mitchell, Leon Rose and company has given their young players a chance to increase their value for another future superstar, while also helping the current team take a significant step forward and lock up the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
"Not only has he built a pretty damn good roster, but he has stockpiled a ton of assets," BT said of Rose. "[The Jazz] wanted Immanuel Quickley, who looks like a star at the 2, they wanted Obi Toppin, who has looked pretty damn good in Julius Randle's absence. Leon Rose's restraint and convictions led him to not being played by Danny Ainge. Imagine if Quickley wasn't on this team? Quickley is amazing. Grimes is beyond interesting. Toppin is poppin'.
"When the next disgruntled superstar emerges, there is not a team in the NBA that would say no to Quickley, Grimes, and picks. I don't care who the player is."
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