If the NBA schedule is any indication, it seems like the league is bullish on the New York Knicks.
The new-look Knicks will play on Christmas Day this season -- the league’s annual, nationally-televised showcase -- after being left off of the Christmas Day schedule last year. The league looks for competitive, compelling matchups on Christmas Day; they’ve assumed that the Knicks playing the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden will be just that.
New York also will be under the national spotlight on opening night, when they face the defending-champion Cavaliers in Cleveland. Below, we offer a look at those games and a few others of note for New York on its 2016-17 schedule:
vs. Celtics, Dec. 25: The Knicks had played on Christmas Day for six straight seasons prior to last year, when they were left off of the slate. The NBA’s move here is understandable, as the club was coming off of a franchise-worst 17-win season. This season, win or lose, the Knicks should be a strong television draw in the early portion of the schedule, thanks to the presence of Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis and the additions of Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings. The Knicks -- and their fans -- certainly hope this is one of several meaningful games against their Atlantic Division rivals. It's one of 22 nationally-televised games for New York (9 ESPN, 4 ABC, 9 TNT). Last season, they appeared on national television just seven times.
at Bulls, Nov. 4: This will be Rose and Noah’s first trip back to Chicago, the city where they had spent their entire careers prior to joining New York this summer. It’s sure to be an emotional night for both players. Rose grew up in Chicago and won the MVP award with the franchise in 2011. Noah has been vocal about his affinity for the city; he was a favorite among Bulls fans for his physical, intense approach. Both players should receive warm reactions from the home crowd, though some in Chicago grew frustrated with Rose’s constant injuries in recent seasons.
at Cavs, Oct. 25 (opening night): Rose, Anthony, Porzingis and the rest of the Knicks will be tested early on. They’ll face a raucous crowd in Cleveland celebrating its first pro championship since 1964. LeBron James and the Cavs will likely get their championship rings that night and raise a banner at the Q. Not an easy atmosphere for a team with several new players and a tough test for new coach Jeff Hornacek. It's one of several difficult early-season games for New York. Eight of the Knicks' first 11 games are against teams that made the postseason in 2015-16; one of the three non-playoff opponents is an improved Utah Jazz club.
vs. Memphis, Oct. 29 (home opener): In addition to welcoming Anthony and Porzingis back, the Garden crowd gets its first look at newcomers Rose, Noah, Jennings and Courtney Lee. It also gets its first look at the Knicks’ new offense, which may consist of more pick and roll in the half-court triangle sets and an increased pace.
vs. Nets, Nov. 9: The Knicks-Nets rivalry hasn’t lived up to most fans’ expectations since the Nets’ move to Brooklyn. But there’s a new dynamic this season that may make things semi-interesting: Jeremy Lin. Lin had an unforgettable run with the Knicks for a few weeks early in 2012. It will be interesting to see how the home crowd receives him in his first visit to the Garden with the Nets. The guess here is he’ll be welcomed warmly.
vs. Bulls, Jan. 12: Some fans were upset that the Knicks surrendered young point guard Jerian Grant and center Robin Lopez in their trade for Rose. The home crowd will get its first chance to see Lopez and Grant in person in Chicago’s first game at Madison Square Garden. The Lopez-Noah matchup will provide fans and pundits the chance to compare new vs. old for one night.
vs. Cavs, Dec. 2 (ABC): It’s always entertaining when James, J.R. Smith (assuming he signs), Iman Shumpert and the rest of the defending champs come to town. The specter of free agency won’t be hovering over James, who is under contract for three seasons, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. But Anthony always relishes games against James, his close friend, so there will be plenty to keep an eye on. The Cavs also visit the Garden on Feb. 4, the night before the Super Bowl.
vs. Warriors, March 5 (ABC): Many Knicks fans dreamed that the club had a chance to sign free agent Kevin Durant earlier this summer. As it turns out, Durant didn’t have an in-person meeting with the Knicks despite holding most of his meetings a few hours outside of New York City. Will the home crowd hold that against Durant and his "Super Team?" We’ll find out.
vs. Clippers, Feb. 8: We’re getting ahead of ourselves, but if the Knicks don’t re-sign Rose, they’ll be in the market for a point guard this summer. One of the top point guards potentially on the market, Chris Paul, will be in town for the first and only time. The Knicks hope that things work out with Rose. But if not, no one should be surprised if they try to make a run at Paul.
vs. Timberwolves, Dec. 2: If both players stay healthy, a Kristaps Porzingis-Karl-Anthony Towns matchup should be one to look forward to for years to come. They may not always match up against one another on the court, but there should be portions of this game when the fellow 2015 NBA lottery picks defend one another. Porzingis and Towns project as two of the top young big men in the league -- and both can be effective on the perimeter and interior. That should make for an entertaining night.
vs. Raptors, April 9: If the season goes the way the Knicks and their fans hope, this matchup against the Raptors may have playoff implications. The Raptors have won the Atlantic Division title for three straight seasons. Both Toronto and Boston project as the top teams in the division entering the season. That’s a group the Knicks will need to force their way into if they hope to take a step forward after their 32-win season last year.
