5 Reasons Why The New York Knicks Are The Perfect Team To Beat The Celtics

The New York Knicks have quietly built a roster ready to challenge the defending champion Boston Celtics in the East. Here’s why they might just be the perfect team to dethrone them.

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks Rivalry On Hold For The Moment - SB Nation Boston

As we head into the 2024-25 NBA season, the New York Knicks look poised to make a serious run at the top of the Eastern Conference. With Julius Randle back to full health, the addition of Mikal Bridges, and a deep, versatile roster, the Knicks have the perfect blend of star power and defense to stand toe-to-toe with the Boston Celtics. The rivalry is heating up, and with the Celtics raising their 2024 championship banner, the Knicks’ recent offseason moves and improvements give them a real shot to spoil the Celtics' reign. Here are five reasons why the Knicks could be the Celtics’ biggest problem this season.

1. Defensive Versatility At All Positions

When the Celtics have their core lineup of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis on the floor, it's like facing a five-headed monster. Every single player is a scoring threat, capable of attacking you from all angles. The problem teams run into is that Boston excels at exploiting weak defenders. They’ll go hunting for mismatches, forcing teams to double-team or help, and that’s when Porzingis, for example, can feast on open looks—just like what happened against the Mavericks when their bigs were constantly dragged out to cover drives, leaving him open for easy buckets.

That’s where the Knicks come in, and their ability to counter that kind of offense. Their potential “Anti-Celtics” five of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson (once he’s back from his ankle injury later in the season) is built to handle those kinds of threats. Every player in that lineup is an excellent defender. With Anunoby and Bridges on the wings, the Knicks can switch everything, making it hard for the Celtics to target any weak spots.

Mitchell Robinson’s rim protection is huge here—he averaged 1.1 blocks per game last year, and even though he’ll miss the start of the season due to his ankle, the Knicks’ depth and versatility will help them survive until his return. Without needing to overhelp, the Knicks’ defenders can stay home on shooters and prevent open threes that the Celtics love to create by collapsing the defense.

The Knicks could easily become the league’s top defensive team. They have the tools to neutralize individual threats like Tatum or Porzingis, making them a real nightmare matchup for Boston. If they can stay healthy and locked in on D, they have what it takes to slow down the Celtics' offensive avalanche.

2. Great Three-Point Shooting

The New York Knicks are shaping up to be a serious three-point threat this season, thanks to a roster packed with solid shooters who can punish defenses from beyond the arc. When you think about teams that can go toe-to-toe with a squad like the Boston Celtics, three-point shooting is one of the key factors, and the Knicks have it covered from all angles.

Starting with Donte DiVincenzo, he’s the kind of shooter who brings consistency from deep. Last season, he knocked down 40.1% of his attempts from three-point range, providing a crucial boost in spacing. DiVincenzo thrives in catch-and-shoot situations, and when he's spotting up behind the arc, defenders can't afford to sag off without paying the price. His ability to move without the ball and shoot efficiently helps keep opposing defenses stretched.

Then, there’s Mikal Bridges, who has quietly become one of the more reliable shooters in the league. Bridges hit 37.2% of his threes last year, and his range gives the Knicks even more versatility. His length and athleticism make him a tough cover, and with his improving shot creation, Boston’s defenders won’t have the luxury of leaving him unguarded on the perimeter.

Julius Randle might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think three-point shooting, but he’s quietly improved that part of his game. Last season, Randle had a down year with 31% of his shots from deep, but had a 34.3% accuracy the season prior. That’s significant for a power forward who thrives inside but can now also step out and knock down shots from beyond the arc, adding a whole new dimension to his game. Randle’s ability to spread the floor forces opposing bigs like Porzingis to come out, leaving more room for Brunson and others to attack inside.

Speaking of inside-out threats, OG Anunoby is another name that should scare defenses. Anunoby hit 39.4% from three last season, and he’s a master of the corner three, a shot that’s deadly in today’s NBA. His ability to knock down these shots while playing elite defense makes him invaluable, especially when Boston tries to collapse the paint on drives. Anunoby’s shooting helps keep defenders honest, giving the Knicks even more space to operate.

And don’t forget Jalen Brunson—though he’s more known for his craftiness around the basket, he’s no slouch from deep either. Brunson drilled over 40% of his threes last season, meaning he can pull up from anywhere, especially off pick-and-rolls, making him a nightmare for teams like Boston that rely on switching defenses.

This collection of shooters gives the Knicks the firepower they need to compete with the Celtics, who can often smother teams with their aggressive, switch-heavy defense. But with this much shooting talent, the Knicks can keep the floor spaced, force mismatches, and prevent the kind of doubling and help that Boston uses to disrupt offenses. With Randle pulling bigs like Porzingis out to the perimeter, and sharp shooters like DiVincenzo, Bridges, and Anunoby ready to fire away, the Knicks can keep the Celtics' defense on its heels all game long.

3. The Knicks Might Have The Best Chemistry In The League

One of the biggest reasons the New York Knicks have emerged as a top team in the Eastern Conference is their strong chemistry. The "Nova Knicks" movement, a nod to their Villanova connections, has had a huge impact on building a cohesive and well-functioning unit. Players like Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart all share ties to Villanova, and this familiarity extends beyond the court. They’ve played together, they’ve won together, and their deep connection is evident in how seamlessly they mesh in New York. This Villanova core has helped establish a strong culture of trust, selflessness, and commitment.

The addition of Mikal Bridges, another former Villanova standout, only strengthens this bond. Bridges brings more than just elite two-way play—he brings leadership, maturity, and, perhaps most importantly, familiarity with the system that already thrives on team-first basketball. It’s not just the Villanova ties that are boosting the Knicks, though. Across the roster, there’s a sense that everyone understands their role and buys into head coach Tom Thibodeau’s system.

Last season, this chemistry was a huge factor in the Knicks finishing second in the Eastern Conference, right behind the Celtics. While Boston had the upper hand, it was clear the Knicks were closing the gap, and a big reason was how well they functioned as a unit. Unlike teams that rely solely on star power, the Knicks are building something more sustainable—a system where everyone knows their role and can contribute. It’s why the Knicks were able to go 21-15 without Julius Randle last year when he was out with an injury. The chemistry within the roster allowed them to adapt and still perform at a high level.

Going into the 2024-25 season, this chemistry could be the key to them making an even stronger push for that top spot in the East. With a year of playing together under their belt and the addition of Bridges, they’re primed to challenge the Celtics even more. If any team can knock off Boston for the No. 1 seed, it’s a group as tightly knit and balanced as the Knicks.

4. No Team Has Repeated The Title Since The 2018 Warriors

The Golden State Warriors set the standard for dominance when they went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, but since then, repeating as NBA champions has become an almost impossible task. No team has managed to win consecutive titles in over half a decade. The NBA has shifted into a more balanced league, with more parity than we’ve seen in years. While the Celtics are fresh off their 2024 championship run, history is not on their side when it comes to going back-to-back.

For the Knicks, this is huge. They know the Celtics are the reigning champs, but they also know how hard it is to repeat, especially in a league that’s stacked with talent across both conferences. Just look at what’s happened since the Warriors’ run ended. Toronto took the title in 2019, the Lakers got their bubble championship in 2020, the Bucks bounced back with a win in 2021, and the Warriors made a comeback in 2022, only for the Nuggets and now the Celtics to get their shine. That’s six different champions in six years, showing just how competitive the league has become.

What makes repeating so difficult now? It’s all about the depth of talent and how teams have adjusted. Injuries, fatigue, and even slight shifts in team dynamics can throw a wrench into the works for defending champs. The Celtics, while stacked with players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, now face the challenge of keeping things fresh while every other contender has geared up specifically to take them down. Teams like the Bucks and Nuggets have only gotten stronger, and of course, the Knicks have built a roster that’s designed to disrupt Boston’s flow.

The Knicks, especially with their elite defensive versatility and improved three-point shooting, know they can be a nightmare matchup for the Celtics this year. With no team managing to repeat in six seasons, it feels like the odds are in their favor to dethrone Boston. The Knicks also saw how close they were to knocking them off last season when they finished just behind them in the standings. This year, they’ll be going all-in to break that streak and bring a title back to New York, knowing that the defending champs often have a target on their back.

Boston will have their hands full, and the Knicks are one of the biggest reasons why. If the recent NBA landscape has taught us anything, it’s that being on top doesn’t last long anymore.

5. The Knicks Have The Depth To Cruise Through The Season

The Boston Celtics are known for their deep roster, and last year they showed just how important depth can be when they managed to navigate the season with hardly any setbacks. Even in the playoffs, where teams are often hit by injuries, the only real loss they suffered was Kristaps Porzingis, who missed some time due to a lingering foot issue. Thanks to their depth, Boston was able to rotate players and manage minutes effectively, keeping their key stars fresh when it mattered most.

On the other hand, the New York Knicks weren’t so lucky. Despite finishing second in the East, they were hit hard by injuries at the worst possible time. Just before the playoffs, Julius Randle went down with a shoulder injury, missing all the postseason. To make matters worse, in the second round against the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks lost OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson to injuries, which left them severely undermanned. Those losses were a big reason the Pacers were able to knock the Knicks out of the playoffs. It wasn’t that Indiana was the better team overall—they just had better health at the right time.

This year, the Knicks have bolstered their depth to make sure they don’t face the same issues. With the addition of Mikal Bridges, plus solid rotational pieces like Josh Hart, Precious Achiuwa, and Miles McBride, New York has built a roster capable of handling the grind of an 82-game season and the unpredictability of the playoffs. Even though they’ll miss Mitchell Robinson for the start of the season due to his ongoing recovery from ankle surgery, the Knicks have enough depth to stay competitive while they wait for his return.

This kind of depth gives them a legitimate shot at challenging the Celtics for the top spot in the East. Now that the Knicks have a roster that can handle injuries and manage load throughout the season, they can pace themselves better and avoid running into the same issues they faced last year. Depth isn’t just about filling gaps—it’s about keeping your stars fresh for when it matters most. With this roster, the Knicks are built to compete with anyone, and they’re in a much better position to go toe-to-toe with Boston and make a real run for that No. 1 seed.

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5 Reasons Why The New York Knicks Are The Perfect Team To Beat The Celtics

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