In the forty-third episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff analyze the Knicks’ recent struggles and make a compelling case for why the team—and those covering it—must embrace higher expectations this season. After a 2-5 stretch, the numbers reveal clear areas of concern, and they each dive into a key issue holding the Knicks back while proposing actionable solutions to help the team turn things around.

Key Topics:

• Shooting Struggles: Why the Knicks’ three-point rate is one of their biggest problems—and how a lineup change might be the fix.

• OG Anunoby’s Defensive Issues: Breaking down his uncharacteristic lapses in on-ball defense, overhelping, and positional awareness—and why it’s been a key factor in the Knicks’ recent woes.

• Accountability & Expectations: Debunking the “Year Zero” narrative and why it’s time to demand and expect more from this talented roster.

• Optimistic Outlook: Highlighting the potential of the Knicks’ core and what needs to happen for them to reach their ceiling.

This episode is about balancing constructive criticism and optimism, blending data-driven analysis with an objective perspective on the Knicks’ season so far.