Knicks Receive Harsh Message Amid NBA Season

One prominent doubter has emerged in the Western Conference, as four-time NBA Champion and Golden State Warriors icon Draymond Green has cast serious doubts over the Knicks' ability to be credible title challengers this season after how opening week has gone for them.

“The Knicks, I just don’t believe that they’re contenders. I don’t think they have what it takes to win at the highest level. I think you can stifle their offense and make it hard on them. Ultimately, on the defensive end, anytime you have a couple of guys on the floor together who are key guys and don't wanna defend, it makes it tough to win at the highest level. That's my question with the Knicks.”

The Knicks did have a fairly rudimentary offensive style last season, with major dependence on Brunson and Towns' production. This could be attributed to having a defense-first coach like Tom Thibodeau, but the franchise recognized this failing and hired Mike Brown to replace Thibodeau and bring to New York the same offensive magic he brought to the Sacramento Kings.

Brunson is averaging 31.8 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds to start the season, while Towns has relatively struggled with 17.0 points and 13.5 rebounds. Core starters like Mikal Bridges (18.0 PPG) and OG Anunoby (14.3 PPG) haven't had decent starts to the season either, so the team's 2-2 record could be written off as circumstantial.

While the record isn't ideal, it definitely isn't a deal-breaker that says they can't be contenders. Many would still be more comfortable backing the Knicks for a Finals run in the East compared to current conference leaders, the 4-0 Chicago Bulls.

There isn't a large enough sample size to make an assertion either way, but Green's comments will give the Knicks some fuel in what they hope can be the year they lift their first NBA Championship since 1973.