RJ Barrett: Why This New York Knicks Playoff Defense is Different

The New York Knicks may be reminded of the disappointing 2021-22 season as they look to build upon last year's playoff trip, but RJ Barrett says things are different this time around.

It's deja blue ... and orange ... all over again.

The New York Knicks made the playoffs for the first time in six years during the shortened 2020-2021 campaign. A five-game, opening round defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks awaited, but things seemed to be looking up for the downtrodden franchise.

But after that effort gave fans hope, the Knicks drastically regressed, falling from fourth to 11th on the following season's Eastern Conference leaderboard. Expectations thus drastically fell for 2022-23, but the Knicks were able to get back on track with 47 wins and a first round playoff series victory, reaching each of those landmarks for the first time in a decade.

Great expectations in New York are back after last year's overachievement. Those responsible for moving forward, especially those who partook in the cursed 2021-22 playoff defense, are well aware of the pressure they face. 

RJ Barrett knows how fleeting New York playoff success can be / Eric Hartline, USA TODAY SPORTS

"I think that (2021-22) experience, especially for me personally and a couple of guys that were here, definitely helps, knowing that, going into the season, we have to come out with that same fight and energy like we did last year," Knicks forward RJ Barrett said, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post. "A couple (of) years ago, the team was a little different. We had to try to figure things out differently, and it didn’t end up working out. That’s what I’ll say is the difference."

"This year, we added Donte (DiVincenzo), but we pretty much have the same guys out there. I think it should be better."

To Barrett's point, two of the five regular starters from the 2020-21 run (Reggie Bullock, Elfrid Payton) moved on during the ensuing offseason. Attempts to fill those backcourt voids posted mixed (Evan Fournier) to negative (Kemba Walker) results and eventually led to the $104 million splurge on Jalen Brunson. 

This time around, every member from last year's most consistent starting five (Barrett, Brunson, Quentin Grimes, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson) is expected to return. That group earned a 21-11 record in 32 postings last season. As Barrett mentioned, the only major upheaval to the main rotation is the arrival of DiVincenzo, who more or less replaces the traded Obi Toppin. 

New York (1-0) resumes preseason action on Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG2).