When the Knicks open the season in Milwaukee, they’ll do so on the road for the first time in five years, against a Bucks team that will debut at home for the first time since 1984. Indeed, it’s a new year – a fresh start for two franchises with playoff aspirations.
New York endeavors to shatter its 17-win total from 2014-15, a season marred by injuries, roster turnover, and incremental adjustment to a new system on the floor. Milwaukee, fresh off a 41-41 campaign that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Bulls, believes its ready to make a leap with internal improvement from its young core and key free agent addition Greg Monroe.
It'll be the first look at Phil Jackson's offseason haul, including first-round picks Kristaps Porzingis (4th overall) and Jerian Grant (19th) and a slew of veteran free agents that includes Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and Kyle O'Quinn -- all potential starters. And let's not forget Carmelo Anthony, the 10-time All-Star who missed the final 29 games of last season after undergoing knee surgery.
The Bucks enter the year as a popular sleeper team to challenge for home court in the Eastern Conference, but Jason Kidd's team has questions to answer in his second year as head coach, including: Will Michael Carter-Williams, acquired at the trade deadline in exchange for Brandon Knight, improve on his career shooting numbers (25 percent from three, 40 percent from the field)? Will Jabari Parker return at full strength from last season's ACL tear, and how does he fit with the defensive identity (ranked 4th in the NBA in 2014-15) Kidd has instilled? Will Thanasis Antetokounmpo's brother Giannis approach his superstar ceiling in year three?
With Melo's return, the veteran additions, an influx of high-end young talent, and another year of continuity in the Triangle Offense, the Knicks figure to be much deeper and more competitive this season. Jackson and Co. have their sights set on building a sustainable winning culture that can thrive for many years down the road, but opening night offers the first opportunity to see the pieces begin to come together, making it a can't-miss matchup to watch.