https://kkato.journoportfolio.comRSS Feed for Kento KatoenWed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/5-reasons-buy-knicks-next-nba-champions-01ksn45xrmchThroughout their incredible playoff run, the Knicks have heard the doubts from outside voices. Even now, there's some skepticism, though some are starting to change their tune.For those still on the fence, or even fans who don't want to get their hopes up, there's a host of undeniable evidence that shows how strong New York is as a title contender.Not that it really matters, but a surprising amount of people have found the Knicks' run to the Finals unconvincing, citing a young Hawks squad, a les...Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/5-reasons-buy-knicks-next-nba-champions-01ksn45xrmchhttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/knicks-doubts-and-criticism-increasingly-falling-flat-as-historic-domination-continues-01ksdyvcsnj8The Knicks are good. Very good. And while we're still in the process of finding out how good they are, and how far they'll go, it's just statistically undeniable that New York deserves to be in the conversation with the two remaining Western Conference teams. Yet, there are many, fans and media alike, who still strongly disagree with that idea.After their surgical and steady Game 3 win over the Cavaliers, they are now undefeated in their last 10 playoff games, something only nine other teams hav...Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/knicks-doubts-and-criticism-increasingly-falling-flat-as-historic-domination-continues-01ksdyvcsnj8https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/jalen-brunson-picking-cavs-apart-in-game-2-signals-huge-step-forward-for-entire-knicks-offense-01ks6x5yt5amSteve Nash was Jalen Brunson's favorite player growing up. Brunson, who wore No. 13 in Dallas as a tribute to Nash, has repeatedly spoken about how he admired Nash's ability to run an offense and be so effective despite his physical limitations. During his tenure as a Knick, Brunson has become known as one of the deadliest scorers in the league, but he has also received occasional criticism for his passing, or lack thereof. It's worth noting that he's at times been tasked with creating something...Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/jalen-brunson-picking-cavs-apart-in-game-2-signals-huge-step-forward-for-entire-knicks-offense-01ks6x5yt5amhttps://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/82865/some-incredible-stats-from-an-incredible-ecf-game-1Last night’s win will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable games for Knicks fans of all generations. It had a bad start, questionable decisions, a historic comeback, clutch shots, and big moments. But somewhat lost in all of the memories, and incredible on-court performances are some of the numbers that sound anywhere from incredible to downright unbelievable.So, here is a list of some of the most noteworthy stats from a noteworthy game, brought to you by reporters, analysts, and Kni...Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/82865/some-incredible-stats-from-an-incredible-ecf-game-1https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/how-the-knicks-stole-game-1-vs-the-cavaliers-01ks1q8zsc85For three and a half quarters, it looked like the Knicks were well on their way to going down 0-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Their offense struggled to generate quality looks, they missed on the ones that they did get, and their defense left a lot to be desired. So how exactly did the Knicks pull off a historic comeback that gave fans some catharsis for their collapse in last year's series opener against the Pacers?Hart wasn't the only reason the Knicks fell into the 22-point hole they fo...Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/how-the-knicks-stole-game-1-vs-the-cavaliers-01ks1q8zsc85https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/82656/pt-roundball-table-predictions-for-the-knicks-cavaliers-eastern-conference-finalsPolaniecki: This matchup is going to be the Knicks’ toughest of this year’s playoff run. Cleveland is deep and loaded at every position. The Knicks are coming into this well rested, even if it feels like I haven’t had to wait this long for a Knicks game since the offseason. The Cavs are coming off a grueling seven-game series against Detroit, but they still present difficult matchups across the entire starting lineup. Still, the Knicks have the playoff experience from the past several seasons an...Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/82656/pt-roundball-table-predictions-for-the-knicks-cavaliers-eastern-conference-finalshttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/5-advantages-knicks-have-over-cavaliers-entering-game-1-01kry7azs6x3The Knicks, well rested after eight full days off, begin their Eastern Conference Finals matchup against a good, but exhausted Cavaliers team. This gap in energy, combined with where Cleveland struggles and New York excels, creates clear weakness for the Cavs that the Knicks can use to advance.This doesn't always matter. We've seen the Pistons, and Nuggets lose while having the best player in the series this postseason. But assuming the teams are generally close in talent, the team with the best...Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/5-advantages-knicks-have-over-cavaliers-entering-game-1-01kry7azs6x3https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/82581/comparing-jalen-brunsons-2026-postseason-to-last-years-ecf-runJust like pretty much every other playoff appearance he’s made as a Knick, he made history, joining lists filled with names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, and Steph Curry. Statistically, it was his second-best one, inferior only to the year prior’s, as he averaged 29.4 PPG, 7 APG, and 3.4 RPG while shooting 46.1% from the field. Pretty insane stuff. But somehow, Brunson, as he’s made a habit of doing, has one-upped himself.While his scoring average is down nearly two...Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/82581/comparing-jalen-brunsons-2026-postseason-to-last-years-ecf-runhttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/6-free-agent-targets-knicks-should-already-have-circled-01krkc6ybybgWith the Knicks still very much in the thick of the playoffs, it feels somewhat odd looking ahead to the offseason. They have eight more games to win before achieving their ultimate goal, and are still in the midst of preparing for a conference finals opponent who should put up more of a fight than the 76ers did. But when they sweep their opponent and give you a week without basketball, you get the privilege of kicking your feet up and looking a bit ahead. So, while there's still a lot of games...Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/6-free-agent-targets-knicks-should-already-have-circled-01krkc6ybybghttps://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-injury-report/82551/report-knicks-og-anunoby-practices-expected-back-for-ecf-game-1When OG Anunoby missed the closing minutes of the Knicks’ game two victory over the 76ers, New York fans couldn’t help but expect bad news. After seeing the team’s playoff run suddenly come to a halt just two seasons ago when the forward strained his hamstring, PTSD started to creep in.Thankfully, by the following afternoon, reports started to come out that the Knicks and Anunoby had dodged a bullet. While he’d end up missing the rest of the series, which, to be fair, only lasted 8 more quarters...Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-injury-report/82551/report-knicks-og-anunoby-practices-expected-back-for-ecf-game-1https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/post-lottery-knicks-mock-draft-new-york-adds-top-shooter-class-01krerwf8nmtWith the NBA Draft Lottery finalized, we finally know the order of the first 14 picks. It may not directly impact who the Knicks could pick on draft day, but we now have a bit better of an idea of who teams may select with where they are picking official. While a lot can happen between now and the draft on June 23, here's who could end up donning a Knicks jersey next season. This was one a hard one to choose. Names like Morez Johnson, Dailyn Swain, and Allen Graves all crossed my mind. And for e...Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/post-lottery-knicks-mock-draft-new-york-adds-top-shooter-class-01krerwf8nmthttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/og-anunoby-isnt-only-injured-knick-benefits-ecf-break-01krentpzpc2With the Knicks' emphatic sweep of the 76ers, and the back-and-forth series between the Pistons and the Cavaliers all tied up at two, New York couldn't have asked for a better time to get some time off. The Eastern Conference Finals won't start until Sunday at the earliest, and could be delayed until Tuesday, giving the injured OG Anunoby at minimum, 10 days off, and the possibility of getting 12. For a player whoso hamstring injury was so minor that it didn't even receive a grade, that is very...Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/og-anunoby-isnt-only-injured-knick-benefits-ecf-break-01krentpzpc2https://www.postingandtoasting.com/interviews/82495/pt-interview-danilo-gallinari-on-his-time-with-knicks-the-success-of-international-players-making-it-in-the-playoffs-and-moreBefore getting into basketball, there was one thing worth acknowledging first: Gallinari had just won a BSN (Baloncesto Superior Nacional) championship. When congratulated on the title, he seemed pleasantly surprised that it was brought up, flashing a brief but unmistakably genuine smile before offering a quick thank you.For a player whose NBA journey began in New York, it felt only natural to start with his first impressions of the Knicks organization and the city itself. “I didn’t know much ab...Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/interviews/82495/pt-interview-danilo-gallinari-on-his-time-with-knicks-the-success-of-international-players-making-it-in-the-playoffs-and-morehttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/how-knicks-used-jalen-brunson-gravity-game-3-why-they-should-do-it-again-sunday-01kr6r3aezm4Through the first two playoff rounds, the Knicks' opponents have given Jalen Brunson different looks, but most of them have one thing in common: make someone else beat them. In the past, this often meant one of two things. Either set endless screens for Brunson, hope he can break free, and make something out of nothing. Or Brunson simply dumping it off to Josh Hart somewhere in the vicinity of the free-throw line, usually leading to a Hart mid-range shot, or a kick-out grenade for someone to for...Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/how-knicks-used-jalen-brunson-gravity-game-3-why-they-should-do-it-again-sunday-01kr6r3aezm4https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/how-knicks-used-jalen-brunson-gravity-game-3-why-they-should-do-it-again-sunday-01kr6r3aezm4Through the first two playoff rounds, the Knicks' opponents have given Jalen Brunson different looks, but most of them have one thing in common: make someone else beat them. In the past, this often meant one of two things. Either set endless screens for Brunson, hope he can break free, and make something out of nothing. Or Brunson simply dumping it off to Josh Hart somewhere in the vicinity of the free-throw line, usually leading to a Hart mid-range shot, or a kick-out grenade for someone to for...Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/how-knicks-used-jalen-brunson-gravity-game-3-why-they-should-do-it-again-sunday-01kr6r3aezm4https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/why-the-knicks-should-still-advance-even-if-og-anunoby-misses-time-01kr1n6x60k9Knicks fans all around the country spent what should’ve been a satisfying night worrying about OG Anunoby’s injury. Instead of talking strictly about how good Jalen Brunson was in the clutch, how effective Karl-Anthony Towns was on the court, or just how great of a two-way game Mikal Bridges had again, everyone was reduced to frantically refreshing social media for answers.Clarity didn't arrive until Thursday afternoon, as it was revealed Anunoby suffered a hamstring strain that would have him d...Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/why-the-knicks-should-still-advance-even-if-og-anunoby-misses-time-01kr1n6x60k9https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/why-the-knicks-should-still-advance-even-if-og-anunoby-misses-time-01kr1n6x60k9Knicks fans all around the country spent what should’ve been a satisfying night worrying about OG Anunoby’s injury. Instead of talking strictly about how good Jalen Brunson was in the clutch, how effective Karl-Anthony Towns was on the court, or just how great of a two-way game Mikal Bridges had again, everyone was reduced to frantically refreshing social media for answers.Clarity didn't arrive until Thursday afternoon, as it was revealed Anunoby suffered a hamstring strain that would have him d...Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/why-the-knicks-should-still-advance-even-if-og-anunoby-misses-time-01kr1n6x60k9https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/film-how-knicks-attacking-joel-embiid-great-results-01kqwgdw4rwfThere was a time where Joel Embiid was a great defensive player. He capitalized on his size and athleticism to protect the rim while still being solid on the perimeter. That lead to three All-Defensive Second Team selections from 2018 to 2021. But those years are far behind him. The five seasons following 2021 have been his five worst season by defensive rating, with his two worst ones coming in the last two seasons. And the Knicks looked like they knew that more than anyone in Game 1. New York...Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/film-how-knicks-attacking-joel-embiid-great-results-01kqwgdw4rwfhttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/4-changes-knicks-must-ready-76ers-make-game-2-01kqwkzn240wGame 1 was pretty much everything Knicks fans could have hoped for. They slowed down Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid was quiet, outside of his usual free-throw antics.New York also easily dismantled a 76ers defense that some believed had the answers for Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and the Knicks' revamped offense. And they did it all in such dominant fashion that Nick Nurse threw in the towel, waved the white flag, and sat his starters for the final quarter and a half. But the r...Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/4-changes-knicks-must-ready-76ers-make-game-2-01kqwkzn240whttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/film-how-knicks-attacking-joel-embiid-great-results-01kqwgdw4rwfThere was a time where Joel Embiid was a great defensive player. He capitalized on his size and athleticism to protect the rim while still being solid on the perimeter. That lead to three All-Defensive Second Team selections from 2018 to 2021. But those years are far behind him. The five seasons following 2021 have been his five worst season by defensive rating, with his two worst ones coming in the last two seasons. And the Knicks looked like they knew that more than anyone in Game 1. New York...Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/film-how-knicks-attacking-joel-embiid-great-results-01kqwgdw4rwfhttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/4-changes-knicks-must-ready-76ers-make-game-2-01kqwkzn240wGame 1 was pretty much everything Knicks fans could have hoped for. They slowed down Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid was quiet, outside of his usual free-throw antics.New York also easily dismantled a 76ers defense that some believed had the answers for Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and the Knicks' revamped offense. And they did it all in such dominant fashion that Nick Nurse threw in the towel, waved the white flag, and sat his starters for the final quarter and a half. But the r...Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/4-changes-knicks-must-ready-76ers-make-game-2-01kqwkzn240whttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/knicks-boast-3-clear-advantages-76ers-series-01kqqft25fdyThe 76ers may have entered the playoffs as the seventh seed, but they're a damn good one. Joel Embiid, even on a consistently malfunctioning body, is still one of the best players in the league. Tyrese Maxey is a matchup nightmare for a lot of teams. Paul George, despite not getting any younger, is a great third option to have. And rookie VJ Edgecombe has given Philadelphia the type of perimeter defensive hound that it's longed for. They provide New York with some tough challenges, and they will...Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/knicks-boast-3-clear-advantages-76ers-series-01kqqft25fdyhttps://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/knicks-boast-3-clear-advantages-76ers-series-01kqqft25fdyThe 76ers may have entered the playoffs as the seventh seed, but they're a damn good one. Joel Embiid, even on a consistently malfunctioning body, is still one of the best players in the league. Tyrese Maxey is a matchup nightmare for a lot of teams. Paul George, despite not getting any younger, is a great third option to have. And rookie VJ Edgecombe has given Philadelphia the type of perimeter defensive hound that it's longed for. They provide New York with some tough challenges, and they will...Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/onsi/knicks-boast-3-clear-advantages-76ers-series-01kqqft25fdyhttps://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/81984/mike-browns-praises-should-be-as-loud-as-his-critiques-or-should-itMike Brown’s performance in the first round of the playoffs has gone similarly to his regular season. It’s been a mixed bag of some brilliance, some head-scratchers, and some gutsy moves. We saw him start off the series with the decision to put cross-match on defense, putting Karl-Anthony Towns on Dyson Daniels, which was expected but effective nonetheless. And starting from the very first second of the playoffs, Brown has gotten the most out of Josh Hart and Towns defensively, although the play...Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/81984/mike-browns-praises-should-be-as-loud-as-his-critiques-or-should-ithttps://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/81942/how-the-knicks-big-three-have-stifled-the-hawks-defenseWhen breaking down a playoff series, one can occasionally overthink things. They may look at matchups, schemes, depth, injuries, past matchups, and analytics. I’m guilty of that myself, and even did that for the Knicks’ current series against the Hawks. But Games Four and Five served as a friendly, but very loud, reminder that in basketball, sometimes it just comes down to who has the best player.That isn’t always the case—ask Detroit. But, more often than not, the team with the best player on t...Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/81942/how-the-knicks-big-three-have-stifled-the-hawks-defensehttps://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/81345/five-most-important-knicks-in-the-opening-roundIt goes without saying, but this team, especially in the postseason, needs Jalen Brunson to be at his best. New York has had games, especially in the first round of the last couple of playoffs, where they have won, even when Brunson has had off nights. But they’ll need him to be great if they want to eliminate the Hawks. Whether it’s his scoring, playmaking, or late-game heroics, Brunson will be relied on heavily as he has been throughout his entire Knicks tenure. With a lot of pundits and Hawks...Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/81345/five-most-important-knicks-in-the-opening-round