Two reasons why the Indiana Pacers should prepare for the Knicks

The Indiana Pacers should not take the Knicks lightly.

The 2020-21 NBA season for the Indiana Pacers begins in the comfort of their own home against a team in the New York Knicks who have not been relevant in a very long time. That being said, the last thing that the Pacers want to do is underestimate the Knicks. Here are two reasons the Pacers should prepare for the Knicks.

The Knicks have a new coach of their own

This will be Tom Thibodeau’s first season as the head coach for the Knicks and will no doubt want to get off to the best possible start with an impressive win against the Pacers. Thibodeau’s teams are known for their toughness and defensive mindset which is something that the Knicks have been lacking over the last decade.

With good defensive players like Mitchell Robinson, Nerlens Noel, Elfrid Payton, and Reggie Bullock implemented into a Thibodeau-led defensive scheme the Knicks defense won’t be easy to score on. The hope for New York is that Thibodeau also brings a change of culture to the mecca of basketball something they have been craving for some time.

They are young and hungry

The Knicks are the second-youngest team in the league with an average age of 24 and have plenty of young talent. Their first-round pick Obi Toppin has shown great promise in the preseason and looks like an NBA-ready player at least from an offensive standpoint. Toppin has already received comparisons to a younger version of six-time All-Star Blake Griffin who won rookie of the year back in 2011.

These comparisons stem from similarities in physical build, athleticism, and play style. Additionally, don’t forget last year’s third overall pick in RJ Barrett. Barrett enters his second season which usually results in significant growth in the games of sophomore players. Lastly, veterans like Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton still have plenty to offer.

This won’t be an easy season opener for the Pacers and they will have to be on their ‘A’ game to beat the Knicks. However, in the end, I predict that the Pacers’ talent and new high flying offense will be too much for the Knicks as I have got the Pacers winning in a relatively close game 108-97.