New York is one of two cities to have two NBA teams, the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks. Both teams have large fan bases not only in the boroughs, but also in nearby states. In the 2022 to 2023 NBA season, both franchises have found their way to the playoffs, reaching the postseason in two different ways.
In last year’s offseason, the New York Knicks had their eyes set on multiple players, the biggest of which was all-star Donovan Mitchell. Although the New York Knicks did not end up completing a trade for Mitchell, they were able to sign Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks. In the previous season, the Knicks had to watch from their couch as Brunson was the second best player on a Dallas team that made it to the Western Conference Finals, falling short to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors. Brunson was signed with the hopes of him becoming the second star next to former all-star Julius Randle, hoping that they can return to the playoffs and make some waves. The Knicks were also able to sign center Isaiah Hartenstein and re-sign Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims. The Knicks also traded away Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel, and Alec Burks to the Detroit Pistons to eliminate Walker’s large contract.
Entering the season, fans and analysts alike viewed the Knicks as either a low playoff seeded team or a team that misses it altogether. The Knicks shattered these expectations, heading into the trade deadline with a record of 30 – 26. This success came from Julius Randle having an amazing year where, for the second time, he made the NBA All-Star Game. No player deserves more credit for the team’s success, however, than Jalen Brunson. “Brunson’s scoring prowess” and his ability “to hit a shot from anywhere on the floor” has “turned this team around” according to Logan Ritchie who has attended multiple Knicks games. At the deadline they were able to complete a trade for Brunson’s college teammate Josh Hart who helped them finish the season with a 47 – 35 record and the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Brunson and Randle’s all-star level play, the Josh Hart acquisition, and sixth man of the year finalist Immanuel Quickley have all been instrumental in the teams success.
The Brooklyn Nets entered the 2023 NBA season with high expectations, being led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, two of the most talented players in the league. Although they were expected to do great things, Kyrie Irving’s off the court issues led to him missing games, putting the Nets in jeopardy to start the season. Once he was back though, the Nets became one of the top teams in the league, but Kyrie Irving was not happy in Brooklyn. Irving requested a trade and was granted one to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie. Kevin Durant was soon traded as well to the Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and multiple first round picks. Nets fans like Enzo Britez were initially upset as they thought the team was “completely set” and “ready to make a deep playoff run,” however, the team was not ready to go into rebuilding mode. Young players Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas made huge strides providing both defense and scoring. Mikal Bridges has begun to blossom into a star on his new team, and the Nets were able to carry their previous success with their new pieces to a 45 – 37 record and the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks and Nets have tough roads ahead of them in the postseason. The Knicks face off against the Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland Cavaliers, who have one of the best all around teams in the NBA. The Knicks appear to have the early advantage in this matchup as Jalen Brunson looks to continue his playoff dominance from last year. The Brooklyn Nets have to face off against MVP finalist and scoring champion Joel Embiid and his scary Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The 76ers also featureJames Harden who was traded by the Nets in the previous season, and is fighting for his first ever championship ring. Although there is a slim chance of it occurring, it is possible for both New York teams to meet up in the playoffs for the first time since the Nets relocation from New Jersey.
