The Knicks see the same thing everyone else sees when they look at the new Sixers — extraordinary talent and plenty still to figure out.
Philadelphia will unveil LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and its new starting five Tuesday night against a defending champion returning nearly its entire rotation.
From the Knicks’ perspective, that contrast between star power and continuity could shape the season opener after their championship banner reaches the Madison Square Garden rafters.
WHAT THE KNICKS ARE SAYING
Josh Hart anticipated this matchup as soon as James joined an Eastern Conference team.
“Wherever LeBron went in the East, I figured that’d probably be our opening night,” Hart told the New York Post.
Hart knows the Sixers’ talent will attract plenty of attention. He also expects their newness to show at times.
“I’m sure they’re gonna have some bumpy times in the beginning of the year because they gotta get used to playing with each other,” Hart said.
The Knicks do not have that concern. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns are back after starting throughout New York’s championship run.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown acknowledged that the attention surrounding James and Philadelphia’s revamped roster makes the opener feel bigger than an ordinary October game. Brown, who coached James for five seasons in Cleveland, said everything involving him tends to become “larger than life.”
Brown also believes the teams have the ingredients to develop a rivalry. They are separated by less than 100 miles, will meet four times on national television and already share recent playoff history.
Brunson has also been complimentary of Philadelphia. During an August appearance on NBC’s “Today,” the reigning Finals MVP said the Sixers had “reloaded” and would present a difficult opening test.
New York’s immediate priority, however, is moving past its championship celebration.
“Every year, it’s a new year to attack something,” Brunson said Monday through SNY.
Landry Shamet was more direct about what happens after the rings are distributed and the banner is raised.
“After the ceremony’s over, it’s 0-0,” Shamet said.
Anunoby is the only current Knick who had previously participated in an NBA ring ceremony. He received his first championship ring with the Raptors before their 2019 opener.
“You celebrate with the ring, take pictures, then the game started. It was kind of weird,” Anunoby told the New York Post.
Anunoby said the unusual feeling faded as that game progressed. The Knicks will try to make the same transition Tuesday.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Andre Drummond spent last season backing up Joel Embiid. He now fills that role behind Towns after Mitchell Robinson left New York for Boston.
Drummond averaged 8.4 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game for the Sixers. His greatest opportunity Tuesday could come when Embiid leaves the floor.
The Sixers enter the opener with questions behind their starting center. Ariel Hukporti, who backed up Towns and Robinson over the past two seasons, is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, while Adem Bona and Dean Wade were listed as questionable on the initial injury report.
Brown said the Knicks are not asking Drummond to duplicate Robinson.
“Andre’s going to be Andre,” Brown told the New York Post.
The Sixers’ ability to keep Drummond from controlling the glass during Embiid’s rest could quietly become one of the game’s most important variables.
WHAT VEGAS THINKS
The betting market is siding with New York’s continuity and home court.
The Knicks were favored by approximately 4.5 points as of midday Tuesday, with the total set around 231.5. Some sportsbooks had moved the line to New York by 5.5.
Philadelphia did win both of its regular-season games at Madison Square Garden last season. New York responded by sweeping the Sixers out of the playoffs.
The Sixers now return to the Garden with a considerably different team and an opportunity to make a much better first impression.
The opener tips off at 7 p.m. on NBC10 and Peacock.
