Like Lincoln and Kennedy, a shocking number of parallels exist between the Knicks and Grizzlies. The real stunner is where they differ, and how — and what it suggests about the future

Since they first met up in 2019-20, one thing has been an unfortunate constant with RJ Barrett and Julius Randle: their fit is potentially dubious, and the numbers back it up. Could the day come when the Knicks need to choose between one or the other?

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The Evan Fournier experience has paid big dividends so far, replacing last year’s Reggie Bullock at the 2 with a more dynamic player as Julius Randle’s two-man game partner. But just how stark has the difference been?

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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?

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 most painful loss of the 2020-21 season seems to have laid the blueprint for the Knicks going forward. Could the Knicks be taking on the Hawks’ strategy for team building… but better?

Every draft cycle, outside of the top 10 there are always players considered “polished” and “safe” compared to those considered “raw” and “risks to bust.” But via discoveries through data, could drafting a raw player actually be the safer bet by the numbers?

The Knicks’ breakout fourth seed season is definitely the start of something special — but could next season actually feature a bit of a regression? Short of a huge splash in free agency, it might — and it’s not a big deal.

The Knicks’ 2020-21 season is gone, but it won’t be forgotten any time soon by those that were along for the wild ride.

The Knicks lost to the Hawks at home in Game 5, putting a cap on their 2020-21 season. But now isn’t the time for frustration — it’s the time for reflection of how much the Knicks accomplished this year, and how much more they (hopefully) have yet to come.

Despite their best efforts, the New York Knicks have suffered a gentleman’s sweep (4-1) at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks with their Game 5 loss.

This game isn’t necessarily a must-win, but staring a potential 3-1 deficit in the face needs to awaken a sense of urgency in the Knicks. What adjustments do they need to make to tie things up headed back to New York?

The Knicks laid an absolute egg in Atlanta on Friday night, struggling to contain the Hawks on defense and to produce anything on offense. Can New York get it together before Game 4 on Sunday?

The Knicks got completely embarrassed by the Hawks in Game 3, as Julius Randle and RJ Barrett have both apparently forgotten how to play basketball.

At times this season, Obi Toppin was near unplayable, and Julius Randle a game-altering superstar. In these playoffs, it’s been Obi’s that’s shined in his minutes, while Julius had struggled to find his footing. Did Julius learn from Obi’s style of play, leading to his second half breakout in Game 2?

Julius Randle’s first six quarters of his playoff career were not pretty — he looked like a shell of himself. But could a transformative second half in Game 2 against the Hawks set the tone for Randle and the Knicks the rest of the series?

Despite an incredibly sluggish start, the New York Knicks were able to even their first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday with a 101-92 victory in Game 2. 

Things looked very bleak in the first half, but the Knicks turned the intensity up to 11 in the second half and secured a huge comeback victory to send the series to Atlanta tied 1-1.

The Knicks need retribution in Game 2 on their home floor before heading to Atlanta. Can they contain Trae Young and the Hawks to even up the series?