You probably forgot, but a year ago, the Knicks started 5-6. They took a deep breath, benefitted from a much easier December schedule and were 24-10 by New Year’s Day.
This go-around, the Knicks are 11-6 following Wednesday’s win over the Hornets — also with a light part of the schedule behind them. So there are reasons for Knicks fans to express gratitude today as they gather at the table, and there are reasons to silently worry.
Here, we got through both emotions by listing at least five of each:
Reasons to be thankful
1. Jalen Brunson: Great players figure it out, and Brunson has adjusted to a coach and a different role with similar superstar production: 28.6 points per game, 6.3 assists, 2.4 turnovers, 48.1% shooting overall and 36.5% on 3s. His trajectory remains on the path toward the best Knick since Patrick Ewing, if he hasn’t gotten there already, and that’s a reason to be thankful. Is Brunson good enough to be the best player on a title team? That’s a different question, and unless the Knicks trade for a player who is above Brunson in the pecking order (ahem, Giannis Antetokounmpo), it won’t be answered until well after Thanksgiving.