NBA 2020/21 Season Preview: How the New York Knicks can make the playoffs

Dimers’ comprehensive preview of the 2020/21 NBA season continues with a look at the New York Knicks.

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NEW YORK KNICKS PREVIEW

Last season: 21-45 (12th in East)
2020/21 Win Total Line: 30.5 wins
Coach: Tom Thibodeau 
Odds to make the playoffs: +1300
Odds to win Atlantic Division: +15000
Odds to win the Championship: +40000
Odds courtesy of William Hill

Potential lineup:

PG	Elfrid Payton
SG	Alec Burks
SF	RJ Barrett
PF	Julius Randle
C	Nerlens Noel
6TH	Mitchell Robinson

2020/21 NBA MVP Preview and Predictions

⭐ Star Player: Mitchell Robinson

It is just so Knicks to have their best and most promising player not even in the projected starting lineup, but on a team that is extremely light on for star power, 22-year-old Mitch Robinson has been a rare find.

In limited minutes off the bench last season, Robinson chalked up an NBA-record 74.2% field goal percentage while registering an average of 7 rebounds in just 23 minutes per game.

He’ll start the season coming off the bench again, and will need to work hard on the defensive end to dislodge Nerlens Noel from the starting role at C, but Robinson has the chance to thrive, as long as he is in the right environment.

🧨 X-Factor: RJ Barrett

It was an unremarkable rookie season for number 3 pick RJ Barrett last year, but Knicks fans will be hoping to see an increase in production this year from the product out of Duke.

The man known as Maple Mamba struggled with his shot in his first season, averaging just 40% from the field, but if he can develop into the franchise player that the front office hopes he can be, the turning point could come this year. If that happens, the Knicks will get more wins than expected in a shallow Eastern Conference.

READ: NBA Title odds, preview and picks

🚀 Why they can make playoffs:

Young team coached by an old vet

A LOT would have to go right for the Knicks to make the postseason, but they’ve made a smart hire in former Minnesota and Chicago coach, Tom Thibodeau.

Thibs has made a name for himself in the league over the past decade as a well-respected coach, and on a team without a recognizable alpha dog (i.e Jimmy Butler), the 2011 Coach of the Year may be able to shock the world by producing a cohesive New York basketball team.

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🙅‍♂️ Why they can’t make playoffs:

They are the Knicks

New York have consistently shot themselves in the foot over the past 20-30 years with bad decisions led by bad ownership. The team does feel a little more well rounded this year compared to their ridiculous spending spree on power forwards last summer, but while they do have some decent enough guys, those players are also inconsistent and have bounced around the league without really having any meaningful impact. It’s hard to see how they break into the top 8 seeds.

🤖 2020/21 NBA SEASON SCHEDULE

🔮 Dimers' season predictions:

22-50 (14th in East)

It’s hard to picture anything but another tough season for Knicks fans. They picked up some better signings but it still won’t be enough to challenge on a nightly basis.

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