Tracy Morgan is not worried about the New York Knicks – not one bit.
After a major roster reshape headlined by the Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges trades, the Knicks went 7-6 to open the 2024-25 NBA season. Uncharastically for a Tom Thibodeau team, New York has struggled on the defensive end in particular, ranking bottom 10 in defensive rating (115.2) entering Sunday’s 114-110 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
But growing pains were to be expected for the new-look Knicks, especially as they shipped two starters in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Towns just two weeks before the season tipped off. And Morgan – a famous comedian and ‘Saturday Night Live‘ alum, and one of the team’s biggest superfans – is confident the men in orange and blue will be a force to be reckoned with again, having nearly reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
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“I think we’re gelling,” Morgan told Mirror U.S. Sports before the start of Sunday’s clash with the Nets. “When you have changes like this, it doesn’t happen right away.
“They have to have time to gel. Five pre-season games ain’t enough for them to gel, but they’re gelling.” Asked where the Knicks are headed in 2024-25, Morgan responds with no hesitation: “To the chip. That’s where they’re headed every season.”
Towns needed no time to put his offensive talents on full display at Madison Square Garden, averaging 26.4 points while shooting a mind-blowing 50 percent for 3 over in his first 12 appearances – while also collecting 12.4 rebounds per contest. That the 7-foot center is as motivated as ever to take his game to the next level should surprise no one, though.
Not only does he play at the World’s Most Famous Arena but also just a stone throw’s away from North Jersey where he grew up. And Morgan couldn’t be happier to see KAT return to his old stomping ground and become a part of the Knicks family.
“I love him. He’s playing his role. He’s an incredible scorer, incredible athlete, and I love him,” he said. “I’m glad he’s with us. I’m very happy he plays with the Knicks. He’s home, right where he belongs.”
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