The Knicks entered Monday 42-30 on the heels of a three-game winning streak, and with 10 games left, they are fifth in the East and two wins or Pacers losses away from securing a berth in at least the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.
That is all well and good for Knicks fans, and current standings holding would have them facing the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals – but whoever ends up as their first opponent, one huge Knicks fan at WFAN thinks it won't matter if they don't get a second.
"There are different types or urgency…but the Knicks must, MUST win a round, otherwise all this good stuff doesn't mean anything," Brandon Tierney said Monday. "Otherwise, it would invalidate what they've done so far."
Two seasons ago, the Knicks were the No. 4 seed by virtue of a tiebreaker with the Hawks, but after ending an eight-year playoff drought (and winning season drought) with the appearance, they lost in five games to the Hawks, who went on to lose to eventual NBA Champion Milwaukee in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 2021-22 season was a step back, but now, the Knicks are almost officially back in the postseason – and they simply have to do better in BT's eyes.
"There's a point where you need a little signal of optimism, like when you're just starting to climb a little," BT said. "I know that they're just starting to climb, but there's a point when it becomes too real during the season, and for me it has, that anything other than minimally a first-round advance and this season has meant nothing to me."
Tierney believes the Knicks, as currently constructed, could be a contender for a while…but you can never count on that, and never should.
"There's great cohesion with this team, and there's great sustainability here," BT said. "Even if the Knicks get punked in the first round, you can convince yourself it's fine because there's a long runway – but no! Even in the NBA, I've learned that I don't care about next year. All this stuff about the Knicks are young, they have draft picks, all that – that's great, but win a series! Otherwise I'm not impressed."
Luckily, both BT and Tiki Barber think the Knicks could not only beat the Cavs, but could get past the Celtics or 76ers and get to the conference final – and to Tiki, the objective is to keep on chugging, because they've actually got the right foundation.
"The Knicks have done something I haven't seen them do in a really long time: build a team," Tiki said. "And, there's still things they can do; they have the foundation, but there's so much they can still do, and that's what's exciting for me. But I can understand the urgency from some other people."
Follow WFAN's midday team on Twitter: @TikiandTierney, @TikiBarber, @BrandonTierney, and @TheHoffWFAN
Listen live to WFAN via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
Follow WFAN on Social Media:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
