Sitting as the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 36-18 record, most of us would say the New York Knicks are amidst a solid season. Their impressive business over the off-season seems to be giving dividends. However, journalist Stephen A. Smith still isn’t completely sold on the idea of the Knicks being championship contenders.

While speaking with the CNBC Television network, Smith revealed his thoughts on New York’s title dreams. “No. No. Because they don’t have they don’t have depth right now.“, he said. While that may seem to be too far-fetched of a thing to say, he had his reasoning. “I love Karl-Anthony Towns. I love Jalen Brunson. You acquired Mikal Bridges. Unfortunately, you had to give up five picks to do it. I didn’t like that.”

Furthermore, he highlighted what the Knicks lacked when compared to Cleveland or Boston. The Cavaliers have young, athletic talent with size, perimeter shooters, and an incredible defense to top it all off. Their frontcourt, featuring Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, provides elite rim protection, while Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland create a dangerous backcourt duo. The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, are the reigning defending NBA champions, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, with a supporting cast that includes the likes of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. They boast one of the most complete rosters in the league.

So, when it comes to the Knicks, is all hope lost?

Umm, no. A $60 million change could still save them—partly. “The New York Knicks need Mitchell Robinson back, and they would probably be a piece away.” Robinson, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract in 2022, has been sidelined with an ankle injury, and his absence has significantly hurt the Knicks’ interior defense and rebounding. In the 2022-23 season, Robinson ranked among the league’s top offensive rebounders, making him a crucial part of the team’s success. Without him, the Knicks have struggled against teams with dominant big men.

“They’ll be in the playoffs. They’ll be formidable. I believe they’ll get to the second round of the playoffs,” Smith suggested. The Knicks have proven to be a tough, scrappy team under Tom Thibodeau, with Jalen Brunson emerging as a true leader. However, he doesn’t see them beating the Cavaliers or the defending champs.

“I don’t believe they beat either of them this year as presently constructed.” While Smith’s fandom for the Knicks can be questioned, he does have a point. The current roster, even with its defensive grit and depth, lacks the high-level offensive firepower that teams like Boston and Cleveland possess. Without a secondary star to support Brunson and Julius Randle, the Knicks may find themselves once again falling short in the postseason.

While the A-List Analyst’s concerns about the Knicks paint a worrisome picture, not everyone within the organization shares the same outlook. One of New York’s most versatile defenders, Josh Hart, has a different take on the team’s championship potential and what it will take to reach the next level.

Josh Hart gives his honest take on New York Knicks’ championship aspirations

Although the New York Knicks haven’t been very sound defensively this season, Josh Hart has been a bright spot for the team. The 29-year-old has done great with Robinson and Anunoby missing several games throughout the season, stepping up as a versatile defender and high-energy player. His rebounding ability for his size continues to be elite, and his hustle has been invaluable in keeping the Knicks competitive despite key injuries. Well, right now, he’s enjoying some off time before he and his team return to action after the All-Star week is concluded.

While he’s enjoying the beaches of South Florida, ESPN’s Malika Andrews asked how the team feels about challenging for the championship. “You always want to have a belief, but we know that’s not good enough,” Hart stated. “We’ve got to go out there, and we’ve got to execute. We’ve got to get a lot better, I think. At 36 wins, we should have a couple more. We let a couple slip away. So we know we’ve got to continue to get better, continue to take it day-by-day, game-by-game, and see where we are at the end of the year.”

Hart’s statement reflects the team’s mentality—there’s confidence, but also an understanding that belief alone doesn’t win championships. The Knicks have shown resilience this season, especially with Jalen Brunson emerging as their offensive leader. However, they remain inconsistent, particularly on the defensive end. The shooting guard suggested that there’s “belief” within the team. Moreover, he noted that just believing won’t be enough—it needs to be translated onto the court, which they have done in stretches.

Offensively, they have been solid, with efficient scoring from Brunson and Julius Randle, as well as strong bench production. But defensively, they rank 18th in the league’s defensive rating, which is far from championship-caliber. Historically, title-contending teams boast a top-10 defense, something the Knicks must address if they truly want to be a threat in the Eastern Conference. There’s still a lot to learn and improve for this Knicks’ side as they aim to win it all this season. The potential is there, but as Hart said, execution will determine their fate.