The New York Knicks made a blockbuster move this offseason, bringing in Mikal Bridges. As a response, the Philadelphia 76ers brought in Paul George. The Boston Celtics is the reigning NBA champion.
The “Game of Thrones” is set in the Eastern Conference, and there is a chance that two of these teams will meet in the ECF next season. One can’t lack respect for teams like the Pacers, Bucks, or Magic — but they didn’t make such big moves and are relying on the talent they’ve had, plus good player development.
The big moves, Mikal Bridges and Paul George heightened the competition even greater as New York and Philly aim to close the gap on Boston and ascend to the 2025 NBA Finals.
A healthy Philadelphia 76ers team can’t be slept on
Former league MVP Joel Embiid dealt with a meniscus injury that saw him miss 43 games. Adding George to a duo of Maxey and Embiid not only relieves the big man from a heavier workload offensively, but also stretches the floor as the defense will need to respect George.
Maxey made the All-Star team last season, averaging 26 points per game in 70 games. Embiid averaged 30 points per game on 40% from three-point range vs the Knicks last playoffs as Philadelphia took New York to six games. The addition of George makes them an even greater contender in the Eastern Conference.
New York has the personnel in Anunoby and Bridges to limit George and Maxey, but the lack of depth at the center position will require a much-needed addition to counter Embiid.
The reigning champion Boston Celtics
The reigning NBA Champion Boston Celtics are now the hunted. Going back to back in the NBA doesn’t get the respect it deserves, and the Boston Celtics, with five potential 20-point-per-game scorers, have the ammunition — but do they have the fortitude?
This next go around will be more rigorous with the upgrades and development in the Eastern Conference, and the question remains if Boston has the ability. Two of Boston’s key players, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, are representing Team USA in the Paris Olympics, and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown felt disrespected by his lack of inclusion.
Brown took to social media coincidentally minutes following the announcement of Derrick White replacing Kawhi Leonard on Team USA. His antics possibly display a lack of cohesion, whereas congratulations on a public platform could’ve been made, he instead chose cynicism.
Brown, an intelligent person and player, is well aware of his platform, and championship teams tend to show cracks here and there due to players exiting or a trade demand, but Boston’s fall from grace may be self-inflicted.
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The New York Knicks might finally have the firepower necessary
The New York Knicks adding OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges could go down as two of the biggest moves in team history. Under the brilliance of Tom Thibodeau, the players have bought into a system and that system propelled them to the second seed in the Eastern Conference last season without Mikal Bridges.
Injuries to Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and OG Anunoby never allowed the Knicks to maximize their potential as a unit. Jalen Brunson was New York’s saving grace last season with a cast of players extending their roles, and time on the floor, to propel the Knicks down the stretch.
Unfortunately, fatigue and minor injuries caught up to New York, but a recharged team will be ready come opening night. A lack of depth at center is the red flag for the Knicks this off-season, an issue that should be of high priority. Mitchell Robinson is one of the best defensive bigs in the league when healthy, but with Isaiah Hartenstein leaving for OKC, acquiring an insurance big for Robinson is the only option to avoid the same fatigue on players as last season.
Overview
Things are to be addressed across the board for the potentially top three teams in the East. An overlooked attribute of next season is players participating in the summer Olympic games will have fresher legs come opening night. Two players, Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum, represent two of the potential best three teams in the Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks are the team that will need to be most ready come opening night when other team stars are in mid-season form.
