NBA analyst and former Golden State Warriors champion Draymond Green has voiced concerns about the New York Knicks' playoff run, suggesting they may be setting themselves up for disappointment in the long run.
Draymond Green, a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, has cast a skeptical eye on the New York Knicks' recent playoff success. Speaking on his podcast, "The Draymond Green Show," the outspoken forward argued that the Knicks' playoff run is due in part to the relatively weak competition they have faced so far.
Green pointed to the Hawks' memorable run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, warning that it could be a false indicator of future success. He noted that the Hawks have not returned to that level of success since then.
He also cited the Portland Trail Blazers' 2019 Western Conference Finals appearance as a cautionary tale. After that run, the Blazers invested heavily in players like Al-Farouq Aminu and Allen Crabbe, only to see it backfire as they fell back into mediocrity.
Green believes that the Knicks are making a similar mistake. "You can get to the conference finals ... by playing like very 'mid' teams, so that's what you all are doing right now," Green said on his podcast.
He added, "I think what this is setting y'all up for is what happened to the Atlanta Hawks three years ago when they made the conference finals, and they never got back."
Green predicted a bleak future for the Knicks, saying that they could face "years of misery" if they continue to rely on their current strategy. He warned that they will become the subject of ridicule among NBA fans.
The Knicks have indeed enjoyed a surprising start to their playoff campaign, knocking off the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round and taking a 2-1 lead over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. However, their success has been met with some skepticism, and Green's comments add to the chorus of concerns.
Whether the Knicks can sustain their momentum and overcome the challenge of the Pacers remains to be seen. But Green's warnings serve as a reminder that early playoff success does not guarantee long-term greatness. Only time will tell if the Knicks can avoid the pitfalls that have plagued other teams in the past.
