It’s been a month since I wrote about the Knicks. I let the first round play out and left the country for my Honeymoon in Saint Lucia. When I left for the trip, the orange and blue were 2-1 down to the Hawks, going into a game four that was being labeled as a “do or die” night for the entire Brunson era. There were stories about trading for Giannis and firing Mike Brown to replace him with Billy Donavan (holy reach Shams). That “do or die” game four was just 16 days ago, and boy has a lot changed in what feels like a New York minute. The Knicks are now on their way to their second consecutive Eastern Conference Final after finishing a sweep of the Sixers Sunday.

In those 16 days the Knickerbockers won seven straight playoff games, six of them by double digits, and in some cases by 30+ points. It hasn’t mattered where, it hasn’t mattered when, this team is playing its best basketball of the season at the perfect time. They have crushed the will of the Sixers and Hawks to compete in these games, blowing them out in the first half with efficient offense and stifling defense. When they acquired OG, KAT and Bridges, we all hoped and imagined that this is what it would eventually look like. It’s taken a lot to reach this point, but they now have a starting five that thrives on its versatility and a strong bench that is correctly deployed its coach.

I mentioned the starting five and to say they deserve their flowers is an understatement. Sure, their numbers are impressive, but it’s the non-statistical things that really stand out. Their defense as a unit has improved dramatically from the first few postseason games, even if KAT can’t quite stay out of foul trouble. This increased intensity helps create transition offense, which is something this team has always been able to rely on going back to the Thibs years. But the other biggest improvement has come in the half-court offense, where rather than have Brunson force the action repeatedly to frustrating affect, they have made Towns the trigger man. Sure, the ball still ultimately runs through Brunson, but Towns has been able to pick out passes from the perimeter that open the offense up for everyone, Brunson and himself included. Credit Mike Brown and the players for adapting brilliantly.

The aforementioned bench contributions must be shouted out here as well. Through three games against Atlanta, it felt like Mike Brown couldn’t quite settle on how long he should run with this bench and what the best combination of them was. But starting with game four of that opening round series he seems to have struck the right note with them and hasn’t stopped since. Jose Alvarado has re-discovered the form he had at both ends of the floor when he arrived on Broadway, while Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet have managed to chip in offensively, especially in round two against Philly. Miles McBride has risen to the moment filling in for the injured OG to the tune of hitting seven threes Sunday, and Mitchell Robinson has made his presence felt throughout the playoffs, even cleaning up his free throw issues enough to neutralize “hack-a-Mitch.”

This team is an absolute blast to watch right now. The Knicks and their fans have had plenty of fun knocking off Atlanta and then just embarrassing the extremely unlikable Sixers. But as great as it’s been, the real challenge now lies ahead for them. The Knicks will await the winner of the other Eastern Semi-final between the Cavs and Pistons; a series Detroit currently leads 2-1 going into tonight’s critical game four. The discussions about who the Knicks should want out of this matchup have already begun, but for the starters the best thing for them right now would be this series going 6-7 games, while the orange and blue have their feet up. Both Cleveland and Detroit played seven games in round one, so the more work the better for them. In terms of the actual matchups, it’s an interesting discussion, as both teams are exceedingly hard to pin down. Yes, the Pistons dominated the Knicks in the regular season, but the postseason has once again demonstrated how irrelevant the 82 games are now a days, as Detroit’s flaws have made them look anything but convincing through 10 playoff games. Meanwhile the Cavaliers are devastating…when they want to be, as they seem to throw the switch on an off while Mitchell and Allen beg Harden, Mobley and the bench to help them.

Regardless of who they get in the next round, the Knicks are flat out better than their opponent, never mind the fact that they are playing their best basketball in 26 years (no that is not exaggeration). From this point on the most important thing this group can do is keep their composure in this series and hopefully the one that follows. This is the team’s second straight trip to round three, and the approach needs to be a continuation of what we have seen over the last 16 days as opposed to the way they played in last year’s run. I won’t even bring up he who shall not be mentioned and his shot in a certain game. Last year’s run was ruined by complacency at both ends of the floor, from a team and fan base that felt happy to be back in a conference final, a stark contrast to this spring.

Sure, last year’s group was great and played hard, but it almost felt like the moment and the expectations the city put on them after they knocked out Boston became a bit too much for them. Last year the team and the fans rode the wave…this year the Knicks are the wave and have acted like they expect to be here most of the year. In sports, much like life, your past experiences are supposed to make you better and help you succeed, or as they say, you “learn how to win.” This “education” started back in the 22-23 postseason and every year you have seen this group get a bit better in the playoffs, even in spite of personnel changes. This playoff run has, outside of the end of game two and three against Atlanta, looked like a team on a mission to ascend to its rightful place in the NBA Finals. Their quiet confidence has been a tone set by captain Jalen Brunson and its breeding infectious calm throughout the squad and the MSG faithful (or at least your doctor hopes so).

So yes, it’s okay to say next round will be harder, hell it’s the playoffs people, it’s supposed to be difficult. That shouldn’t be feared and even if we are nervous in the big moments, I don’t believe this team is in the slightest. No matter who they play next, they are prepared and ready to go off the back of plenty of rest, with a hopefully healthy OG Anunoby back in the rotation. For now, drink in the fun and revel in the buzz, our Knicks are back where they belong and will once again play for the right to go to the Finals for the first time since 1994. Don’t worry about who they may play in the finals, what the media says, or what the prospective opposition thinks of them. Just focus on the next game, the next clutch possession, and the next Seventh Ave party. Let’s Go Knicks!

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.