Bleav in Knicks

In our final episode of the Bleav Knicks pod, we wonder aloud about everything: how this Knicks season will go, who's likely to win the East and West, who we'd least like to see win, which Knicks are the most beloved, if you could only have Mitch or Hartenstein healthy for the playoffs who would you choose, etc. We've had fun with all of you these past few years. Hope you did too!

A perfect 5-0 since trading for OG Anunoby, have the Knicks done enough to force a re-evaluation of their ceiling? Should they look to add Malcolm Brogdon, or players who aren't Brogdon, or stand pat? How many teams should Knick fans be scared of come playoff time? How far they've come since the Atlanta series! How many players in the NBA would Stacy trade Brunson for straight-up? (spoiler: not many!)

Lots to consider as the Knicks trade RJ Barrett & Immanuel Quickley to Toronto for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn. What does this change for New York this season? And next summer? Plenty to speculate about, plus saying good-bye to two players who meant something to us.

Tom Thibodeau lives to win. Immanuel Quickley makes winning happen. So how are we in a place where the former is short-changing the latter? We explore possible reasons for this seeming absurdity, and how the whole thing is like a murder mystery: Thibs & IQ are getting all the heat, but the real person of interest is another Knick entirely -- RJ Barrett.

What is Julius Randle doing differently this year that raises hopes his playoff performances will be different? Plus the win over the Lakers, Matthew's top-10 sports-hated NBA players, should the Knicks move for Lauri Markkanen and more! (*basketball-reasons only)

The Knicks lost two roads games against two of the best three teams in the league and people be bugging. We go around the roster and the league to remember why the Knicks are doing just fine, along with hints of where improvement may be found.

With Miles Bridges' return to the Hornets, the NBA shows its values lie in other places than the health and safety of domestic violence victims. Then we turn to the Knicks and their recent run of rampant success, and explore how and why this team has already raised expectations.

We're joined by Joe Flynn, newest Strickland bon vivant, to talk about the opening night loss to Boston and our feelings moving forward: on why Matthew doesn't think the Knicks can win a title with Mitchell Robinson, why Stacy thinks Matthew is missing the bigger scapegoat from Wednesday's L, why Joe was pleasantly surprised by Immanuel Quickley's minutes, and thoughts on the new ESPN announcing trio. Plus loads more Knicks stuff.

Who is the Knicks' most indispensable player, and why has the answer changed since the end of last season? Which young guard may be a bigger player for New York down the road than Miles McBride or Immanuel Quickley (hint: it's not Quentin Grimes)? Plus Matthew & Stacy each offer one hot take they believe are not only hot, but will become tomorrow's truths.

Is it a problem that IQ is still without a new contract? Is the wait part of a larger, conscious design? Also, the Knicks are currently the best men's sports team in NYC -- when's the last time that was the case? Finally, Gigi Speer (The Strickland) joins to discuss the best team in NYC period, the NY Liberty. Why is the Liberty/Mystics playoff series not your typical 2-vs.-7? Who faces the most pressure in the organization heading into this series? What about the other three series? We've got you covered!

Should the Knicks put their eggs in the Joel Embiid basket? If so, which eggs, and how many? How many teams in the East are clearly better than New York (spoiler: not many)? Is Jalen Brunson rated as highly as he should be, and if not why not? What kind of contract should Immanuel Quickley get? Plus Stacy completely stumps Matthew with a Knick trivia question, and much more!

Jalen Brunson is a 5-year NBA player who's never made All-NBA, never been an All-Star and never been to a Finals. Yet many Knick fans trust him as their #1 going forward. How many cases like that have there been? We discuss a few, plus:

After Stacy drops stunning news regarding pizza, we reflect on Obi Toppin's days in & departure from MSG, then consider the Knicks adding the Delaware Mamba, Donte DiVencenzo.

Drew Steele (The Strickland) hops on to talk many things Knicks as the NBA draft unfolded. Which former non-All Star does Zach LaVine remind him of? How can Drew claim Immanuel Quickley is better than Nikola Jokic? Why does he believe a shorty like Jalen Brunson can be the best player on a contender? And is there anything on Earth he'd get into a submersible to go way down underwater to see? Tune in. Find out.

When is a star player in potential hot water good news for the NBA? When it distracts from things the league's doing that are worse. Plus: what makes Jalen Brunson a better bet to build around than most players his size? What would the ideal future featuring Julius Randle as a Knick look like? Is there any coach who could be available that'd be worth cutting ties with Tom Thibodeau (spoiler: there's one)? And more!

Game 6 in Miami wasn't just where the '23 Knicks went to die -- it's where next year's Knicks were born. From what we just witnessed, what do we take moving forward? Part 1 of a multi-part conversation begins here

Jalen Brunson is the greatest Knick in 25 years. That and more as New York looks like themselves in keeping the series & season alive against Miami