The Knicks’ offseason upgrades prepared them to do one thing, and do it a lot — shoot pull-up threes. Could this newfound team-wide ability blast the Knicks into the modern NBA this season?

It took a gut-wrenching, heart-pounding two extra periods of play, but the Knicks managed to down the Celtics to start the 2021-22 season behind some brilliants performances by their revamped starting five.

Tom Thibodeau’s defense has been lauded ever since his days with the Chicago Bulls. But just what about his concepts has made him a coaching success, and brought the Knicks back from the brink as a competitive team?

Do you like basketball, the Knicks, the regular season, and PREDICTIONS? Then boy do we have a treat for YOU! That’s right! We’re back with our second annual STRICKLAND STAFF PRESEASON PREDICTIONS! How did we do last year? Who cares! Just sit back and bask in the glory of our best and brightest takes. Basketball is BACK, baby! Let’s goooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

A huge surprise after being picked with the 25th pick in the 2020 draft, Immanuel Quickley instantly impacted the Knicks during his rookie year. Can he improve on his finishing and playmaking and put himself on a trajectory for something much more than a role player?

The Knicks are back, and possibly better than ever. Leave your concerns at the door — anything is possible for this version of the Knickerbockers.

This is a free preview. The rest of this piece can be found exclusively on our Patreon for patrons of the Spinning and Winning level and higher. We hope to see you there!

One of the biggest surprise success stories in Knicks history, Julius Randle completely turned around not just himself, but New York’s fortunes in 2020-21. How will he build upon it in 2021-22 with a new, more capable cast of supporting characters on offense?

Burdened with being the highest Knicks draft pick since Patrick Ewing, RJ Barrett made big strides as a shooter and a defender in his second year in the league after an up-and-down rookie year. Does his third year hold a star turn, or a continued gradual rise?

A defensive menace in college and Summer League, Miles “Deuce” McBride has “Thibs” written all over him. Can he crack the rotation in his rookie year with his extremely useful skillset?

While the Knicks had plenty of shooting at the 2 guard spot last year, they sorely lacked dribbling and creation. Enter: Evan Fournier, a three-level scorer and an immense upgrade on the offensive end. Could he give the Knicks’ offense a new dimension this season?

After a Coach of the Year campaign in 2020-21, Tom Thibodeau is back for his second season as Knicks head coach after effectively restoring the team’s culture and guiding them to a No. 4 seed in the East a year ago. With an improved roster, higher expectations, and injury-prone players to manage, can Thibs rise to the occasion and take the team even higher?

Obi Toppin came in expected to make an instant impact thanks to his advanced age, but hit the brick wall that is the NBA in his rookie season and took a slow, steady climb throughout to end the season strong. Can he continue the climb as a sophomore?

The streak lives on, with the New York Knicks moving to 3-0 this preseason after a comeback victory over the Cade Cunningham-less Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

The Knicks were in a downward spiral before the hiring of Leon Rose in February of 2020. Now, a year and a half later, Rose has the team turned in a completely different direction, turning New York into a legitimate on-the-rise team with an upper-echelon culture.

After a third season plagued by injury, Mitchell Robinson is staring down a key fourth season, potentially fighting for his future as a New York Knick. Can Mitch recapture the glory of his standout rookie and sophomore seasons?

Signed as a backup and thrust by necessity into the role of starter, Nerlens Noel was a key component in the Knicks’ sudden rise to the No. 4 seed in the East last year. What will Noel do this season to build on last year’s campaign and justify his shiny new contract?

A free agent surprise that almost nobody saw coming, Kemba Walker represents perhaps the best point guard the Knicks have rostered since Walt “Clyde” Frazier. But he doesn’t come without concerns, namely, the injuries that forced Boston to pay to ship him off. Do the shortcomings even matter at his current price point, though?

Finding playing time might be hard this season for the first player the Knicks selected in the 2021 NBA Draft: Quentin Grimes. That said, could Grimes’ penchant for tough D and shooting cause him to stop “situational” from being a swear word among Knicks fans?

Previously a journeyman, Alec Burks perhaps found his home for the future last season when he signed a one-year deal with the Knicks, later re-upping on a two-year pact this summer. Could Burks come close to replicating his nearly historic pull-up shooting numbers from last season?

The new era of Knicks basketball is finally underway, with Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier taking the floor for the first time together as Knicks. Did they live up to the hype? Short answer: yes. Long answer: well, here’s the recap to tell you all about it.