People have been questioning the culture within the New York Knicks. After making it to the ECF, the franchise fired their coach, Tom Thibodeau. Since then, they haven’t been able to find an alternative. Moreover, there are also concerns about the synergy within their team. Against the Indiana Pacers during Game 1 of their series, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were seen arguing on the bench.

It isn’t a sight any team wants to see. From the outside looking in, it suggests some discourse that exists between the group. However, to the captain, Jalen Brunson, he’s seen his teammates day in and day out. The reality is the Knicks are much closer than what a few arguments suggest.

“I think we have a good enough group where like, we all keep in touch anyway. Like our group chat, we still talk in it. Um that’s what people say, like we all genuinely like each other,” he said about the team.

The on-court disagreements happen. It’s like any other friend’s circle. When things aren’t going to plan, passion can leak out at times. Still, Jalen Brunson assured the Knicks fandom and the NBA world that there’s no reason to be on the edge. The Knicks are a harmonious group and as close as the ‘Villanova Knicks’ tagline suggests.

“Obviously, when you’re going through it like sometimes you have like arguments and disagreements. Like I remember the one clip that I forget which game it was, but like it was like us yelling at each other on the bench. Um, and everyone’s like, “Oh, this team has issues.” I’m like, “No, we’re just trying to figure something out in the heat of a moment and we don’t have time like to sit down like… But man, I actually enjoy my teammates regardless of what people say or think,” Brunson added on the Roommates Show.

Brunson’s defense does help. However, there have also been other allegations about the Knicks not being serious about competing. But there’s a good explanation for them enjoying each other’s company, too.

The truth behind the Knicks’ playoff loss celebration

If you think about any other team’s reaction to a playoff loss, you wouldn’t think about a party. Typically, they would go back to the lab and look to figure things out for the next season. But the Knicks team was spotted at a party. Everybody had a great time, but to the fans, it was clear that this team isn’t serious about being title contenders.

However, there’s an emotional reason behind it. The NBA business is unpredictable, as seen with Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Already his name is in trade talks around the NBA circuit. Not knowing what was to follow, Josh Hart explained how the party was a way for the team to celebrate their “family” that spent the past 10 months working together and breaking through their resistance.

“It’s funny because it’s like you know that’s oh New York Knicks partying and obviously know what that was two or three days after you know the loss before you know Thibs was gone. But what a lot of people don’t understand, you know, especially like in the NBA, you know, season, and you’ve heard some guys say it before, like we’re really with each other and our teammates and coaches and all that more than we are our family… So, no matter how this season ends, you always want to kind of celebrate that time that you guys have had together and like the adversity that you guys gone through,” he explained.

The New York Knicks weren’t able to make it to the NBA Finals. But they outperformed themselves from last season with a relatively new dynamic on their team. Furthermore, they reached the ECF for the first time in 25 years. It’s not the end goal, but it’s positive progression for the Knicks. And with the brotherhood that is forged within the building, they will return with the same vigor and more hunger next season.