Have the Knicks unlocked a way to become the No. 1 seed in the East?

Go New York, go New York, go!

Don't look now, but the New York Knicks (31-16) are rounding in to shape, and quickly looking like one of the best teams in basketball, and perhaps, the best team in the Eastern Conference. 

The Knicks got off to a slow start this season, which is to be expected with the large amount of roster overhaul headlined by trading for center Karl-Anthony Towns and winger Mikal Bridges. However, after a 10-8 start to the season the Knicks have proceeded to go 21-8 since, and are now just one game behind the slumping Boston Celtics (32-15) for the No. 2 seed in the East. 

While there are a multitude of factors that have led to New York's resurgence, the most impactful has been the play of Towns. After nine years in Minnesota, KAT is having the best season of his career in his first year donning the blue and orange. The big man is averaging 24.9 points per game to go along with 13.8 rebounds per game (second best in the league) on 54/43/84 shooting splits. 

His performance this season has led him to being named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career. And the best part for New York, he won't be the only Knick starting. 

Jalen Brunson has picked up right where he left off in his tremendous 2023-24 campaign, averaging 26/3/7 on way to his second consecutive All-Star selection. This makes Brunson and Towns the first pair of Knicks teammates to start the All-Star Game in 50 years. 

It's all looking great in Madison Square Garden, but how have the Knicks seemed to figure it out as the 50-game mark of the season approaches? Two things: chemistry and coaching. 

“We’re going in the right direction,” Bridges told the New York Post after the Knicks' drubbing of the Memphis Grizzlies, 143-106. It was the Knicks' second consecutive 140-point game, and a prime example of how their offense has begun to click. 

Last year's team was a hard-playing outfit who got wins based on hustle and the stellar play of Jalen Brunson. This year's iteration is far more balanced, with all five players in the starting line up averaging over 13.9 points per game. In fact, this approach has led the Knicks to have the highest offensive rating in the NBA over the last 10 games, 124.2 per Statmuse.

Another important change has been in coaching philosophy. While head coach Tom Thibodeau is known for playing his starters heavy minutes, he has embraced larger rotations as of late. While three of the Knicks' starters (Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby) are in the top 10 in minutes played per ESPN, Thibodeau has recently moved towards a nine-man rotation that has produced great results. 

The Knicks are 4-0 since switching to a nine-man lineup, helped by stellar bench play from guard Miles McBride and big Precious Achiuwa. 

The Knicks face a strong test with an upcoming home stand against the Denver Nuggets (28-18), Los Angeles Lakers (26-18) and upstart Houston Rockets (31-14). However, if New York plays in anyway like they have the last four games, it will quickly overtake Boston for the No. 2 seed in the East, and could be looking down the barrel at the current No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (37-9) very soon.