Prior to their loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks had gone on one of the greatest runs in NBA playoff history. After falling down 2-1 in their first round series against the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks reeled off 13 straight wins, sweeping through two straight rounds and then taking the first two games of the Finals on the road.
It was a level of play that many felt was possible from the Knicks, but that they had failed to reach at any point of the season. And Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been greatly impressed by what they have accomplished, feeling they’re the hottest team the NBA has seen in a very long time.
“They’re the hottest team that we’ve seen in a long time,” James said on the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast. “I think they haven’t lost since Game 3 of the Atlanta series. It absolutely is [a different Knicks team]. The best time to get hot is when the playoffs start. And they’ve caught a rhythm, and they’re showing it. Both offense, we talk a lot about their offense, but it’s the defense too that’s showing up even more for them.”
As James noted, the Knicks have thrived on both sides of the ball in these playoffs. The offense has embraced more ball and player movement, running things through big man Karl-Anthony Towns and taking some pressure off superstar Jalen Brunson, while also getting huge contributions from the likes of OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and the rest of the role players. But they have also locked in defensively and it has ultimately led to outstanding results.
The Knicks won closeout games by 51, 30 and 37 points during this run and now find themselves just two wins away from winning their first NBA Championship since 1973. They have the entire city of New York rallying around them in a way that is rarely seen amongst NBA crowds and James and the rest of the basketball world have taken notice.
Warriors ‘legitimately interested’ in signing LeBron James this offseason
While James is enjoying the Knicks’ run he is also focused on his offseason and what he will choose to do as he is an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign anywhere, assuming he chooses to continue playing for a 24th NBA season. And one team who is very interested in bringing him in is the Golden State Warriors.
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