We caught up with the team to get their thoughts on the upcoming season. Here are some answers from those conversations:
What’s going through your mind heading into the season?
BRUNSON Excited for a new chapter. Expect the unexpected. You never know what’s going to happen on any given day, but it’s all about how you move forward and how you move forward as one. BRIDGES I’m excited for the full season. Doing whatever it takes to get to the playoffs, be the best team we can be, and win games. I’m excited to be around this group, and see the potential we can get out of this. All those tough days, when adversity hits, I’m excited to see how we get through it. HART We gotta put the work in, we’re just not gonna get back to where we were. We’re a different team, we made changes. Now we just have to make sure we fit together, work hard, keep our heads down, and keep it moving.
MCBRIDE I feel like that we’re just going to be more motivated this year. Understand that we have to be more focused, more together as a team. Honestly, what’s going through my mind is just being the more ready team. We have a lot of great assets, a lot of new pieces that I think are just going to come in and and fit right in. I feel like we have a lot of guys returning that helped us win a lot of games last year and we’re going to continue to make a lot of strides. KOLEK What excites me the most is just being out there on The Garden floor. Running out of the tunnel every single night, with the fans going crazy, and being able to represent New York across my chest.
How would you describe this team?
BRUNSON “Mentally tough” How mentally tough we can be but still how genuine we can be. We know things aren’t going to be perfect. In this day and age with social media, everybody has a voice. How can we hold ourselves accountable, make sure that we’re on the same page, and how can we block out the noise, whether it’s positive or negative, to achieve our goal.
MCBRIDE “Disciplined” is one word that describes us. When it comes down to it, we’re all hard workers, we’re all dedicated to our crafts, so I feel like disciplined describes us really well.
ACHIUWA “Gritty,” it’s a combination of everything. We just don’t stop. I think we have a lot of guys who’ve been underdogs for a long time, including Jalen. Just to have that gritty mentality is something we can use to our advantage compared to other people. SIMS “Together.” Considering all that we’ve been through, all the ups and downs, the injuries we experienced. There were points in our season where we needed everybody to come together, and we’ve always found a way to get through it.
BRUNSON I believe in this team because I know how hard we work. I know what we put in day in and day out. The energy that we give each other is going to make us as good as we want to be. HART I feel like this team believes in each other. The belief that we can accomplish things together, and I think that’s the biggest thing. We’re hard working and have high character, and I feel like we genuinely care about each other. ANUNOBY I think we have the right people. We have a lot of good people and that matters a lot. We’re really excited for the season to start, so I think it’ll be fun. This team is going to be a mix of the prior Knicks teams, focusing on teamwork and hard-nosed defense. The makeup of our players and how unselfishly we play, and how bad we want to win.
PAYNE The culture is big here. They’ve done a lot of things in the past, and everybody is waiting to get back to the championship stage. And this team is bringing that mentality.
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PAYNE The culture is big here. They’ve done a lot of things in the past, and everybody is waiting to get back to the championship stage. And this team is bringing that mentality.
What does it mean to have New York across your chest?
ACHIUWA It means a lot to me. As an inner-city kid who grew up in the city, being able to represent the city now is very important. HART It’s a dream come true. Everything that the city is, everything that New Yorkers embody, I feel like this team is embodying. It’s a special thing. TOPPIN To have New York across my chest means everything to me. Growing up in New York, it’s a dream come true. It’s definitely a blessing and I won’t take any of it for granted.
New York, how you feeling!? I’ll tell you what - I’ve been around this team for years, and I can tell you – this season feels different. There’s something special in the air. Over the last couple of seasons, the Knicks have been building toward something big. The front office has done an incredible job assembling this squad, and now it’s time to take the next step. You know, when I look at this team, it reminds me of our run in the ‘90s. That’s where this team is right now – on the verge of something great. This team feels like Knicks basketball. They’re defined by toughness – gritty, physical, and mentally locked in. That’s what wins games, and this team has it in spades.
With Jalen and the rest of the squad, they’re ready to compete every single night. We’ve seen some new faces come in, but thanks to the leadership in the locker room and Coach Thibs the culture here is set. Now it’s time to go all-in.
With Jalen and the rest of the squad, they’re ready to compete every single night. We’ve seen some new faces come in, but thanks to the leadership in the locker room and Coach Thibs the culture here is set. Now it’s time to go all-in.
The Knicks know what they’re capable of, and it’s all about leaving it out on the floor and trusting each other to get the job done. You can sense that belief. And when they believe in each other, when they lock in, the sky’s the limit. To the fans – keep that energy going! There’s no place in the world like The Garden when it’s rocking. What you brought last year was unreal, and this team feeds off it. Your passion, your noise, your belief – it drives them. Stay with them through every high and low, because they’re ready to give you something to cheer about. As for me – you know I’ll be going crazy courtside all season long. I’ll be there tonight singing GO NY GO at the top of my lungs. It’s true what they say, once a Knick, always a Knick. That’s not just true for players; it’s true for all New Yorkers. This season is going to be a wild ride, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes us. Let’s Go Knicks!
Knicks Legend | John Starks
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THE PLAYERS’ POV
New York Knicks tip off the 2024-25 Season in Style.
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AQUARIUS Embrace your creativity this month. Open your mind to new game plans and let your innovative spirit find a rhythm that only you can orchestrate. Trust your instincts, both on and off the court, and stay open to unexpected opportunities.
PISCES Don’t hesitate to explore new connections this month. Whether in professional relationships with your team or personal ones at home, trust the flow of the game and be ready to embrace whatever comes your way.
ARIES Be fierce, competitive, and bold. Whether you’re dominating the boardroom or the boards on the court, this is your month to make your mark. Leverage your charisma to gain the upper hand and watch your competition crumble.
TAURUS Stay focused on the game plan and lead by example. Let your patience be your guiding principle. As you dig deep and establish your foundation, you’ll witness the chemistry among those around you improve in ways you never imagined.
GEMINI It’s a great month to connect with new teammates. Allow your curiosity and communication skills invigorate those around you; build relationships with purpose and see how every conversation can lead to a new opportunity.
CANCER Lean into your intuition and tap into your emotional prowess. Let your caring nature strengthen the bonds around you. Chemistry is key, and you have the ability to navigate different challenges with an open mind and selfless heart.
LEO Your natural leadership skills will be on full display this month. Your confidence can uplift your teammates and boost the morale in every locker room, but remember to balance your boldness with compassion to maximize your impact.
VIRGO This month, your attention to detail will be your greatest asset. Your analytical mindset will assist you in making the best decisions for your team. Always remember to make time for your self to further boost your productivity.
LIBRA Focus on finding balance in both your personal and professional life. Allow your natural charm to help you navigate different relationships with poise. See how you can contribute to the team success by maintaining a steady and consistent presence.
SCORPIO Channel your inner-passion to pursue your goals with fiery determination. Use your natural ability to read between the lines to your advantage. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and let your teammates see another side of you.
SAGITTARIUS It’s your month for exploration. Let your curiosity broaden your horizons and embrace different situations with your teammates on and off the court.
CAPRICORN Your unshakeable work ethic will open different opportunities for you and your teammates. Stay locked in in the locker room and your personal life to build a solid foundation that’ll pay off in the long run.
The stars always show out at The Garden. And this season, the rising stars, moons, and suns are coming together at The World’s Most Famous Arena to guide you through the first month of the season.
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2. Recently Named Captain 4. Acronym for past Knicks players 7. He’s all hoops, all the time 11. His nickname and number are the same 13. Most points ever scored at MSG 14. Two-time Hall of Famer 15. Knicks Anthem
DOWN 1. Your favorite pair of pants 3. British Baller 5. Washington, Verrazano, Mikal 6. Bodega Pet 8. I __ New York 9. Shrewd, Clever, ___ 10. Straightforward name for iconic Starks moment 12. The World’s Most ___ Arena
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ACROSS
2. Brunson
4. OAKAAK
7. Thibs
11. Deuce
13. SixtyTwo
14. Clyde
15. GONYGO
DOWN 1. Knickerbockers
3. OG
5. Bridges
6. KAT
8. Hart
9. Slick
10. The Dunk
12. Famous
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Why do you believe in this team?
BRUNSON It means the world to have NY across my chest. It’s a feeling not a lot of people get to have, and it’s not something I take for granted.
What does New York Forever mean to you?
BRUNSON New York Forever means that this city, this organization, everything that revolves around this city, is going to be here forever. You can be part of that if you want to be. HART You saw it in the playoffs with a lot of the alumni being there, being courtside, being into the game. I mean you had John Starks almost on the court, you know, half the time. It’s really a family and that’s what New York Forever means to me. MCBRIDE It means that once a Knick, always a Knick. As well as, no matter what we do on the court, it’s kind of more important what we’re doing in the city, getting around the community, being around the people. It’s a special place to play and the fans treat us well. We’re going to do everything to bring a championship here.
BRUNSON New York Forever means that this city, this organization, everything that revolves around this city, is going to be here forever. You can be part of that if you want to be. HART You saw it in the playoffs with a lot of the alumni being there, being courtside, being into the game. I mean you had John Starks almost on the court, you know, half the time. It’s really a family and that’s what New York Forever means to me. MCBRIDE It means that once a Knick, always a Knick. As well as, no matter what we do on the court, it’s kind of more important what we’re doing in the city, getting around the community, being around the people. It’s a special place to play and the fans treat us well. We’re going to do everything to bring a championship here.
What does New York Forever mean to you?
The Knickerbocker 2024-25