New York Knicks: This ex-Knick likes this team defensively & more

Jul 10, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The sneakers of New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (26) during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Former Knicks point guard Chris Childs spoke with the New York Post last week about the upcoming season.  Childs spoke about how the Brooklyn Nets signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving should be a “wake up” for the Knicks.

This is something Knicks fans already knew, so it was not a surprise.  However, the Knicks did make good enough moves to put themselves in a good position to succeed for the future.

Childs went onto talking about his time with the Knicks then hit on optimistic takes.

He stated, “I really like them defensively.”  Childs continued, “It seems like they got some tough, physical guys. I don’t think they’ll be getting up and down the court with them, but seems like they put together a tough team like the way we used to play. Like the old style of the late 1990s. I can see where they’re going. The big guys will mix it up.”  He ended with liking the defensive addition of Elfrid Payton and Wayne Ellington as well.

Hearing that this current team could have similarities of the 90s Knicks should be music to fans ears.  The 90s Knicks resembled hard-nosed basketball that was loved by the city.  If anyone came in the paint, they got hurt.  Their motto, not ours.

However, this basketball age is not like that anymore.  It looks to protect the players more.  But, if Childs thinks that this Knicks came can bring back even a little morsel of that defensive mindset, the Knicks could be onto something.

Fixing the defense from last season should be a top priority.  The defense was awful and, at many times, non-existent.

Childs likes the additions of Marcus Morris, Bobby Portis, Julius Randle and Taj Gibson.  He sees the gritty 90s Knicks within them.  Fans have not heard anything like that, when talking defense, in a long, long time.

As if Childs liking the defense wasn’t enough, he also believes the Knicks can sneak into the playoffs.  Maybe, he sees a similar team like the 8th seed Knicks he was on that made a historic run to the NBA Finals in 1999.

Childs had 5 teams already locked into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.  The Bucks, Raptors, Nets, Celtics and 76ers.  “Six, seven and eight can be anyone”, Childs said.  Some positive outlook for the Knicks as they begin training camp.