Knicks, NBA Cup, and the New Era: Inside New York’s Rise and the League’s Midseason Madness
I. Introduction: A New Kind of Basketball Season
With the NBA season in full swing and the league’s midseason tournament—the NBA Cup—reaching its fever pitch, basketball fans have more reasons than ever to tune in. The New York Knicks, riding an eight-out-of-nine hot streak, have advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, sending a message to the entire NBA: this team is for real. But as the Knicks surge, the league itself is evolving—offering new opportunities, new incentives, and new storylines that have fans and players alike rethinking what it means to win.
Presented by Fanatic Sportsbook, which is giving fans more ways to score big with fan cash on every bet, win or lose, the energy around the NBA is electric. The Knicks are at the center of it all, and as Hall of Famer Gary Payton and Knicks Fan TV’s CP the Franchise joined SNY’s Ian Begley for “The Putback,” it became clear: New York basketball is back, and the NBA Cup is changing the game.
II. The NBA Cup: A Tournament for the Modern Era
The NBA Cup, now in its second year, has quickly become a fixture of the basketball calendar. Designed by commissioner Adam Silver to inject excitement into the regular season, the tournament offers not just bragging rights but real financial incentives: $106,000 for semifinalists, $212,000 for runners-up, and $530,000 for the champions. Coaches and assistants share in the spoils, making every game count for everyone on the roster—including two-way contract players fighting for their NBA lives.
Gary Payton, a nine-time All-Star and one of the greatest defenders in basketball history, sees the tournament as a major motivator. “We would be fired up,” Payton said, reflecting on his Seattle days. “It’s about pride. You want to go home and say, ‘I won everything. I took the interleague championship, the NBA championship, and MVP.’”
CP agreed, noting the tournament’s impact on role players and fan engagement. “It’s a good thing for the league to have the Knicks in Vegas,” he said. “Should the Knicks make it past Orlando and the Thunder get past the Spurs, you have a big-time matchup—a potential NBA Finals preview.”
III. Knicks vs. Magic: A Litmus Test for New York
Saturday’s semifinal against the Orlando Magic is a box-office matchup. The Knicks are 1-2 against Orlando this season, and the Magic present unique challenges: size, depth, and a defense that has held New York below its season average in three-point attempts and percentage. In their last meeting, the Knicks had to fight for every bucket, eking out a 106-100 win thanks to Jaylen Brunson’s heroics.
CP highlighted Orlando’s defensive versatility and the emergence of Desmond Bane, who dropped 37 points against Miami and is a momentum killer. “The Magic present a tough matchup,” CP said. “The Knicks will need to lock in on Bane and Paulo Banchero. It’s going to be a box-office game.”
IV. Jaylen Brunson: The Knicks’ Clutch Maestro
No discussion of the Knicks’ season is complete without Jaylen Brunson. Averaging 31 points per game against Orlando, Brunson has proven impervious to the Magic’s physical defense. He’s faced a gauntlet of defenders—Jaylen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black—and still finds ways to score.
Gary Payton offered his perspective as an all-world defender: “You have to make Brunson uncomfortable. Get the ball out of his hands, trap him, make other people beat you. If he gets 30 to 40, the Knicks will probably win. But if you keep him to 18 or 20, you have a good shot.”
Brunson’s ability to navigate defenses, create separation, and make clutch plays has been the difference for New York. Against Orlando, his shot-making and leadership will be put to the test.
V. The Wingstop Duo: OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges
The Knicks’ defensive backbone is built on the “Wingstop” duo—OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Both have faced criticism, but this season they’re playing at a different level. Anunoby, described by Payton as a “dog” and a “demon on steals,” has been ferocious since returning from injury. His ability to gamble defensively and generate offense from stops is invaluable.
Bridges, meanwhile, has thrived in Mike Brown’s system, showing improved chemistry and coachability. Both players have been fringe All-Stars, and their impact on winning is undeniable. CP credited their growth to another year of chemistry and the confidence instilled by Brown’s equal-opportunity offense.
VI. Josh Hart: The Catalyst
Josh Hart’s move to the starting lineup has been a turning point. Shooting over 40% from three as a starter, Hart’s confidence has transformed the Knicks’ offense. In his last eight games, he’s averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, and 45% from deep.
Hart’s playmaking in transition—99th percentile in points per 100 possessions—has given New York a new dimension. His ability to push the pace, make plays, and hit timely shots has made him the catalyst for the Knicks’ recent success.
VII. Mike Brown’s Collaborative Culture
Much of the Knicks’ transformation can be traced to head coach Mike Brown. Brown’s willingness to listen to assistants, players, and the front office has created a culture of trust and accountability. When Hart missed preseason with injury, Brown initially brought him off the bench. But after input from his staff, he made the switch—and it’s paid off.
Brown’s offense emphasizes ball movement and equal opportunity, making the Knicks harder to defend and more resilient. As CP noted, “The ball movement is way more consistent than last year. There are more opportunities for everyone.”
VIII. Depth, Injuries, and Rotation Questions
The Knicks’ depth has been tested by injuries to Miles McBride and Landry Shamet. McBride, red-hot before his ankle sprain, will be re-evaluated soon. Shamet is rehabbing a shoulder injury and could return by mid-January.
In their absence, Tyler Kolick and Jordan Clarkson have stepped up, but the backup point guard spot remains a question mark. Gershon Yabusele, the Knicks’ biggest free agent acquisition, has struggled to find minutes, raising questions about his fit in Brown’s system.
As the roster heals, Brown will face tough decisions about rotations. With a strengthened bench, New York’s defense and shooting could reach new heights.
IX. Trade Rumors: Giannis, Alvarado, and the Deadline
With December 15 marking the opening of trade eligibility for many free agents, speculation is swirling. The Knicks have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but CP cautions against a midseason blockbuster: “If the Knicks trade Towns and OG for Giannis, they need to guarantee three-point shooting and additional defense. It’s about the supporting cast.”
Jose Alvarado, a New York native and defensive pest, could be a margin acquisition to fortify the Knicks’ bench. “A guy like Alvarado can change the energy, change the tempo of a game,” CP said. “Those are the types of moves Leon Rose should look to make.”
Other names to watch include Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Nicholas Batum, but matching salaries and assets will be a challenge.
X. The Thunder: The Team to Beat
If the Knicks advance, they could face the Oklahoma City Thunder, the tournament’s overall favorites. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rising star Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s depth and defense have made them nearly unstoppable.
CP described OKC’s dominance: “It’s death by a thousand cuts. SGA is untouchable, Holmgren is evolving, and their defense turns turnovers into points. They come at you in waves.”
Comparisons to the Bulls dynasty may be premature, but the Thunder’s top-to-bottom roster is among the deepest in recent memory.
XI. Knicks’ Foundation: From Wu-Tang Recruitment to Stability
A fun moment in Knicks history resurfaced this week: a Wu-Tang Clan recruitment video for Kevin Durant in 2019. CP reflected, “The Knicks had nothing to sell but entertainment theatrics because they couldn’t sell winning. Now, you see organizational stability, star power, and a strong foundation.”
Today, the Knicks don’t need gimmicks—they have a winning culture, a collaborative coach, and a roster built for sustained success.
XII. Baseball Sidebar: Yankees and Mets in Flux
CP, a lifelong Yankees fan, expressed frustration with the team’s recent stagnation as Mets stars like Alonzo and Diaz depart. “I never root for the Mets’ despair,” he said. “You just hope things turn around, but you understand the anger from these fan bases.”
Begley noted the parallels with the Knicks’ pursuit of Brunson, recalling the cap space maneuvers and the all-in moment for Leon Rose—a move that paid off and changed the franchise’s trajectory.
XIII. Conclusion: The Knicks Are Ready for the Spotlight
As the NBA Cup semifinals approach, the Knicks stand at a crossroads. With a balanced roster, a collaborative coach, and stars rising to the occasion, New York is poised for a deep run—not just in the tournament, but in the playoffs.
The NBA Cup has brought new energy to the season, and the Knicks are at the heart of it. Whether facing the Magic’s physicality or the Thunder’s waves of talent, New York has the identity, depth, and confidence to compete with anyone.
For fans, the message is clear: this Knicks team is different. The foundation is strong, the culture is winning, and the future is bright. As Gary Payton said, “You want to go home and say, ‘I won everything.’” For the Knicks, that dream is closer than it’s been in decades.
