Did the Knicks Overachieve? Why the Narrative Misses the Mark!

Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns share a moment during a New York Knicks game, showcasing team chemistry and camaraderie on the court

Every time the New York Knicks achieve something significant, there seems to be a narrative that follows: "they overachieved," "they overperformed," or "they underperformed." This has become a lazy talking point in sports media, and frankly, it misses the point.

Here's my stance: expectations are not facts. They are guesses, assumptions, and projections—nothing more. Expectations are influenced by media bias, betting lines, preseason rankings, injuries, and popular opinion. But in the unpredictable world of sports, they can often be way off the mark.

So when someone claims the Knicks overachieved in the 2024–25 season, I ask: according to whose expectations?

Let's be honest—some people viewed this team as a Just-Above-A-Play-In team, while others saw them as a top-3 seed. If you listened to the national media back in October, many weren't even sure if the Brunson-led Knicks were better than the Sixers. Now, after the Knicks win over 50 games and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, they're somehow labeled as "overachievers"?

No—they performed. Period.

Overachieved? Overperformed? Let's Clarify the Language!

The terms "overachieved" and "overperformed" are frequently used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences:

- "Overachieved" suggests that the team wasn't capable of this level of success and somehow exceeded their actual talent.

- "Overperformed" generally refers to a team exceeding projections or expectations, often linked to statistical or predictive models.

Both terms hinge on expectations rather than outcomes. And that's the issue—everyone's expectations are different.

The Results Are the Resume

The only reliable way to measure a team's success is by what they actually accomplish:

- The Knicks won 51 games in the regular season.

- They defeated the defending champion Celtics in six games.

- They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

That's their resume. That's the story. That's the reality. Everything else—including preseason expectations—is speculation.

Let's Flip the Script

If expectations were all that mattered, what would we say about the 2024–25 Cleveland Cavaliers or other teams that didn't live up to media hype? Are they "underachievers," or did they face better opponents in that moment?

The concepts of overachieving and underachieving are meaningless unless there's a clear and agreed-upon standard—and in the NBA, there rarely is. Each fanbase, media outlet, and analyst establishes a different benchmark. That's why I don't subscribe to the over- or under-performance mentality.

Instead, I focus on reality: you are what your record says you are, and you are defined by how you perform in the playoffs. Everything else is noise. This focus on reality should reassure you and give you confidence in the team's performance.

Final Word

Let's stop downplaying what this Knicks team accomplished. They didn't overachieve; they didn't underachieve. They showed up, played through injuries, defeated the teams they faced, and advanced to the next round. Their resilience is not just a narrative—it's a source of inspiration. And that's the truth.

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