NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: New York Knicks' Derrick Rose, left, fouls Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young (11) as he drives to the basket during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series on May 23, 2021 in New York City. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 107-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Seth Wenig - Pool/Getty Images)
New York Knicks: Who are their 3 biggest rivals in 2021-22?
New York Knicks Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The most magical time of the year is shortly upon us, dear New York Knicks fans. And no, I’m not talking about Christmastime, but the start of the NBA’s historical 75th season.
For the first time in God knows how long, the Knicks are actually a joy to watch. They’ve come a long way. From having Langston Galloway as the team’s leading scorer in 2014-15 (due to more games played) to obtaining home-court advantage in the playoffs a few years later.
After what can only be viewed as an outstanding 2020-21 campaign, the New York Knicks are back better than ever. They made some quality free agency moves, mainly trying to add some scoring next to Julius Randle, who at times looked solitary on offense.
There’s very little that can be said regarding the team’s defensive accomplishments last season. Tom Thibodeau had his guys rotating like gears in a fine watch. The Knicks allowed just 104.8 points per game last season, which was a league-best by a landslide.
When you’re good, you build rivalries around the league, as the New York Knicks are set for some very exciting matchups this season.
Over the years, the New York Knicks have given us some extremely entertaining rivalries to enjoy. Being a cornerstone of a franchise certainly gives the opponent a sense of jealousy when walking into the league’s best arena, Madison Square Garden.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the first team to pop to mind when discussing rivalries. A Knicks-Lakers matchup occurred five times in the past, though most of us are too young to know/remember.
The 90’s generally kept us on the edge of our seats, thanks to the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat all proving more than worthy of challenging Patrick Ewing’s and Pat Riley’s squad.
Last but not least, who can forget about the Baltimore Bullets? From 1969, all the way to 1974 there wasn’t a single NBA postseason where these two teams did not meet in a clash of titans, featuring Willis Reed and Wes Unseld.
