Knicks or Jets? New York's Better Championship Hope 'Not Even Close'
The New York Knicks and New York Jets have made noticeable noise on their respective leagues' recent transaction ledgers. But only the green moves, WFAN host Chris McMonigle claims, will yield hardware.
“I don’t think it’s particularly close,” McMonigle said. “The New York Jets have a far better chance to win a championship than the Knicks. It’s not even close."
This year has New York's professional sports teams sitting relatively pretty: the New York Mets and Yankees come packed with potential power, the New York Rangers are fighting for the NHL's best record, and the New York Liberty have retained their elite starting lineup.
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Even historically star-crossed franchises like the Knicks and Jets are getting in on the fun: the Knicks are 15-2 when in-season acquisition OG Anunoby is in the lineup while the Jets recently brought in NFL stars Tyron Smith and Mike Williams to assist quarterback Aaron Rodgers upon his return from injury.
Pondering which metropolitan squad has a better chance of ending its lengthy championship drought, McMonigle claims it shouldn't even be a debate.
“I love the Knicks, I love (Jalen) Brunson, and I think if (Julius) Randle and Anunoby come back, they have a real chance to make some noise. But we’ve seen the NBA…it’s the hardest to win. For me, I could see the Jets going into any building in the NFL and having to win one football game, and taking those odds over the Knicks beating the Celtics.”
Though the Jets enter this NFL season carrying the league's longest active playoff drought (13 seasons), hope is renewed with Rodgers back under center after his New York debut lasted a mere four snaps thanks to a torn Achilles. Critics are also enthused about the Jets thanks to a plethora of elite young talents such as running back Breece Hall, receiver Garrett Wilson, and cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The Jets can certainly sympathize with the Knicks' injury issues: Anunoby recently returned from an 18-game absence but was forced to leave the team's road trip early for further evaluation of his elbow injury. The Knicks have also missed the services of three-time All-Star Randle, who has not played since Jan. 27 thanks to a dislocated shoulder.
Despite the ailments, the Knicks have kept pace in the Eastern Conference playoff picture thanks to the efforts of Brunson, who previously guided the Knicks to their first postseason series victory in a decade upon arriving from Dallas last year.
