Knicks keep getting reminded they're not fully trusted as contenders

Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks | Dustin Satloff/GettyImagesMaking the Eastern Conference Finals last season has earned the New York Knicks a fair amount of championship goodwill. It’s also raised the stakes in a way that has some wondering whether they’re set up to disappoint—or outright fail.

The Athletic’s John Hollinger recently put together a list of five teams he believes will underachieve during the 2025-26 regular season. The Knicks were on it.

Viewed through the lens of their win-loss projections, Hollinger spotlights a number of various concerns, including the true extent of New York’s depth, its near-complete absence of youthful upside, and whether new head coach Mike Brown…