Knicks have already developed impressive habit of winning — with everyone playing a role

The New York Knicks: Building an Impressive Habit of Winning Through Collective Depth and Role Acceptance

As the calendar turns to 2026, the New York Knicks stand as one of the NBA’s most intriguing stories of the 2025-26 season. With a strong record hovering around the top of the Eastern Conference—highlighted by recent thrilling victories, including a comeback win on Christmas Day against the Cavaliers and a gritty 130-125 triumph over the Pelicans on December 29—the Knicks have cultivated a genuine culture of winning. This isn’t reliant on one or two superstars carrying the load; instead, it’s a team-wide effort where every player, from the starters to the deepest bench, understands and embraces their role. The result? A squad that’s not just competitive but consistently finding ways to win, even in adverse circumstances.

This habit of winning has been forged through smart roster construction, coaching adjustments, and a collective buy-in that emphasizes depth over dependency. In an era where many teams falter due to injuries or inconsistent play from role players, the Knicks have flipped the script. Their bench and supporting cast aren’t just fillers—they’re contributors who step up when called upon, turning potential losses into victories. This article explores how the Knicks have developed this impressive trait, breaking down the key elements: leadership from the stars, emergence of role players, coaching philosophy, and the intangible team chemistry that’s making New York a legitimate contender.

The Foundation: Star Power with Humility

At the heart of the Knicks’ success is Jalen Brunson, the understated engine who has evolved into one of the league’s premier clutch performers. Brunson, fresh off winning the Clutch Player of the Year award in prior seasons, continues to deliver in high-pressure moments. His performances—such as capping games with game-winning floaters or layups—set the tone. But what makes Brunson special in this context is his willingness to distribute the glory. He frequently highlights contributions from reserves, understanding that sustainable winning requires everyone to feel invested.

Pair Brunson with Karl-Anthony Towns, the dominant big man acquired to bolster the frontcourt. Towns has delivered monster stat lines, including season-highs in points and rebounds, while providing spacing and rebounding prowess. Then there’s Mikal Bridges, the ironman wing whose defensive versatility and timely scoring have stabilized the lineup. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart round out a starting group that’s elite on both ends, with Anunoby often leading in net rating impact and Hart bringing relentless energy.

Yet, these stars aren’t hogging the spotlight. They’ve accepted a system where the ball moves, roles are defined, and wins come collectively. This humility trickles down, allowing role players to thrive without pressure to be heroes every night.

Depth as a Weapon: Everyone Plays a Role

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this Knicks team is their depth—a trait that’s been praised as their “most impressive” quality this season. Unlike past iterations that relied heavily on a tight rotation, leading to fatigue and vulnerabilities, the current squad features contributions up and down the roster.

Consider the bench mob: Jordan Clarkson provides instant offense, often leading in bench scoring across the league in recent years. Landry Shamet has emerged as a sharpshooter capable of high-scoring outbursts. Miles “Deuce” McBride brings defensive tenacity and spot-up shooting. Rookie Tyler Kolek has shown playmaking flair, dishing assists in crucial stretches. Mitchell Robinson dominates the glass, grabbing offensive rebounds that lead to second-chance points. Even lesser-known pieces like Guerschon Yabusele add versatility.

A telling stat from mid-season: The Knicks’ highest single-game scorers include not just Brunson (47 points) and Towns (40), but also Shamet (36), Bridges (35), and even reserves like Clarkson (25) and Kolek (20). This distribution shows a team where anyone can explode on a given night. In games like the recent win over the Pelicans, 12 players saw action, with contributions flowing from all corners.

This depth manifests in multiple ways:

• Blowout potential: The Knicks frequently build large leads, allowing rest for starters and garbage time for bench players.
• Injury resilience: When key players miss time, others step in seamlessly.
• Playoff readiness: Deep rotations wear down opponents, a lesson learned from recent postseason exits.

Coaching has played a pivotal role here. Under a philosophy that prioritizes development and opportunity—contrasting with past rigid approaches—the staff mixes lineups freely, trusting the entire roster. This has fostered confidence, with young players getting meaningful minutes and veterans buying into reduced roles for the greater good.

The Coaching Shift: Trust and Accountability

Credit must go to the coaching staff for instilling this culture. There’s an emphasis on accountability—players call each other out on details like defensive discipline and effort on loose balls. At the same time, there’s trust: expanded rotations mean more players get chances to prove themselves, leading to higher engagement.

This approach has paid dividends in close games. The Knicks excel in the “little things”—extra passes, hustle plays, and disciplined execution—that often decide outcomes. As Brunson has noted, paying attention to margins keeps the win column growing. The result is a team that’s figuring out its identity mid-season, blending high-level talent with blue-collar grit.

Intangibles: Chemistry and the Habit of Winning

Winning breeds confidence, and the Knicks are in a virtuous cycle. Recent streaks—including NBA Cup success and comeback victories—have built resilience. Players talk about “figuring out how to win” from deficits, a mindset that’s crucial for playoff runs.

This chemistry is evident in celebrations, post-game comments crediting teammates, and on-court synergy. Hart’s relentless rebounding inspires others. Robinson’s rim protection emboldens perimeter defenders. Brunson’s calm in clutches steadies the group.

Contrast this with past Knicks teams: top-heavy rosters that crumbled under pressure or injuries. Now, the habit is winning through committee. Even in tough schedules—with travel fatigue and tough opponents—the Knicks grind out results.

Challenges Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum

Of course, no season is without hurdles. Maintaining health in a deep rotation, integrating new pieces fully, and peaking for the playoffs remain tests. Opponents will adjust, targeting perceived weaknesses like occasional slow starts or perimeter defense.

Yet, the foundation is solid. With a roster built for versatility and a culture emphasizing roles over egos, the Knicks are positioned for sustained success.

Conclusion: A Championship-Caliber Trait

The New York Knicks have indeed developed an impressive habit of winning—one rooted in collective effort. Everyone plays a role, from Brunson’s heroics to the bench’s timely sparks. This isn’t flashy individualism; it’s smart, selfless basketball that wears down foes and builds unbreakable momentum.

As the season progresses into 2026, this trait could carry New York deep into the postseason. In a league full of superteams, the Knicks prove that depth, role acceptance, and a winning culture can be just as potent. Madison Square Garden buzzes again—not just with hope, but with the expectation of victory. The habit is set; now, it’s about making it unbreakable.