(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics are the defending NBA champions, and considering the state of the Eastern Conference, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them stay at the top for years to come.
For years, the East has been significantly weaker than the Western Conference, which is almost impossible to predict.
Even so, there are still a couple of teams who could give the Celtics a run for their money.
With that in mind, ESPN analyst Monica McNutt claimed that the New York Knicks could be the next Eastern Conference representative in the NBA Finals.
Talking on Get Up, she asserted that a healthy Knicks team could be quite special, as Julius Randle was averaging 25 points and nine rebounds and was an All-Star, and he didn’t play down the stretch.
.@McNuttMonica and @alanhahn make an argument that we could see the Knicks in the NBA Finals next year pic.twitter.com/ZmyP265xtD
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 20, 2024
Fellow analyst Alan Hahn had the same thoughts, adding that this Knicks team went through some pain — both physically and emotionally — and that could bring them together in their pursuit of a championship.
The Knicks should’ve reached the Eastern Conference Finals, but their string of injuries was too much to overcome.
Truth be told, judging by the current state of the East, contending teams should just go through the motions during the regular season and pick the intensity up late in the year, just like the Miami Heat usually do.
At the end of the day, the healthier team usually wins in the playoffs, and that should be their top priority as they aim for the Celtics’ throne next season.
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