By Eddie Castro
We are entering the third week of the 2025-26 NBA season and one of the biggest questions going into the new campaign for the New York Knicks is could they replicate or perhaps be a better team than they were last year? The team is facing their highest expectations in some time with many fans and sports analysts indicating this year as a Finals or bust scenario.
As we go to press, the Knicks have a win-loss record of 6-3, which sits them at the No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference. There are already a few differences to point out regarding the teams’ performance through nine games. For starters, the Knicks have protected home court with a 6-0 current record which matches their best home record start since the 2012-13 season.
Other factors of the Knicks improved look is the team adapting to the new offensive system orchestrated by Head Coach Mike Brown. The improved bench depth led by newcomer Jordan Clarkson and establishing a defensive identity anchored by Mitchell Robinson and the offensive system which has created not only a higher volume of three-point fields goal attempts, but more three-pointers made thus far.
The current system has created more balanced scoring and less looks of Jalen Brunson holding on to the ball. The coaching staff in general have implemented new defensive coverages which should benefit the team moving forward. Having a healthy roster including Robinson and Karl Anthony-Towns doesn’t hurt either as he was bothered last year with knee and thumb injuries.
The Knicks currently have a +8.7-point differential this year as opposed to last year where their full net rating was +4.2. With New York’s offensive rating being high, their defensive rating is not as good as beginning this year especially their three-point defense. They are giving up a high volume of three-point attempts and field goals made to their opponents. This could be a big problem moving forward if there is no improvement because as exciting as well-balanced offense can look, defense is a major key to a top-tier team hoping to win a championship.
The team is currently on a four-game winning streak with players like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges to name a few flourishing within the offensive system. With Captain Brunson leading the way and Robinson being the team’s X-factor of defense, there should be a lot of highs when it comes to New York Knicks basketball.
Sports Notes: (Football) The Jets are on a 2-game winning steak! (Please be advised that was not a typo) the team will head to Foxboro to battle the New England Patriots tonight. The New York Giants fired Head Coach Brain Daboll on Monday after the team lost another winnable game in what was another fourth-quarter collapse. The team will look to regroup when they play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
On behalf of myself and everyone here at Our Time press, we want to thank all the men and women past and present who have fought and are fighting for our country to ensure we can all go about our day-to-day lives safely, a belated Happy Veteran’s Day!