Obi Toppin, New York Knicks (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks have been the surprise of the first half of the 2021 NBA season. The franchise entered the All-Star break with a dazzling 19-18 record, good for the fifth seed in the eastern conference. They are currently on pace to earn their first playoff appearance since the Carmelo Anthony-era of 2012-2013.
The emergence of newly anointed All-Star Julius Randle and the rest of New York’s young cast have propelled the team toward postseason contention.