Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James in attendance against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena.  Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James: NBA is 'simply better off when the Knicks are winning'

The New York Knicks have been perhaps the most pleasant surprise in the NBA this season, as the Tom Thibodeau-led squad is currently riding an eight-game winning streak and has the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. 

The impressive performance even earned the team a shout-out from LeBron James, who tweeted that "the league is simply better off when the Knicks are winning." 

It has been a while since the Knicks were winning, as the incompetence of the franchise made them a league-wide punchline for the last several years. And after missing out on Zion and losing out on several big-name free agents, including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving choosing to go to Brooklyn instead, many assumed the Knicks were destined to remain among the worst teams in the NBA this season.

However, that has proven not to be the case, as the 33-27 Knicks appear to be locked in for their first trip to the postseason since 2013.

LeBron, who is currently recovering from a high-ankle sprain, was quoting a tweet that noted that the Knicks have been "going crazy" ever since the hip-hop group Dipset released a track praising the team. While LeBron ultimately chose LA over New York, he has long expressed his admiration for the city and has always managed to play well when he's visited Madison Square Garden.

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