The New York Knicks own a three-game winning streak, and Trey Burke thinks they can aim for the playoffs.
When the 2018-19 season opened, playoffs weren’t an organizational-stated goal from the New York Knicks. Instead, it was about the developmental of a young roster, which featured just two players age 30 or older.
As 4-14 record indicated such, as the Knicks struggled defensively, and head coach David Fizdale frequently tinkered with the starting lineup to provide young players with opportunities and see what fit and what didn’t.
Well, three games later, the Knicks have their first and only winning streak of this campaign: three games. They had not won more than one game in the previous 18.
This still puts New York at 7-14 and behind the pack of potential Eastern Conference playoff teams. However, as Trey Burke told Marc Berman of The New York Post, he thinks they have a chance at the postseason:
“Obviously everyone ‘s counting us out,” Burke told the Post late Sunday at FedEx Forum. “Look on paper, people don’t think we can do it. I think we believe we have a chance — and it’s early for me to say this — but I believe we have a chance to get in the playoffs this year. That should be our goal. I think that is our goal. It starts now.”
That’s, of course, against the original perception of the Knicks entering in the lottery — what Burke is referring to — with a chance at Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cameron Reddish or another top prospect.
Clinching a playoff spot has taken about 41 wins in previous seasons — sometimes a record below that. It’s evident of how weak the bottom of the Eastern Conference has been.
In 2018-19, the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers make up a strong group at the top. The Detroit Pistons have played well under head coach Dwane Casey, as well.
That leaves two spots. The Knicks are just two games outside the No. 8 seed. Theoretically, with teams like the Caris LeVert-less Brooklyn Nets, the dysfunctional Washington Wizards and the so-far underachieving Miami Heat, it opens the possibility of sneaking into that final spot.
Plus, if the Knicks return a healthy Kristaps Porzingis before the season ends, who knows where they could go.
However, the season only just ended its first quarter. It’s early to count the Knicks into the playoffs, but also early to rule them out.
The NBA season always provides its share of surprises, so could the Knicks making the playoffs be one of them?