Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks
Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

The Knicks Biggest Threat In The East Isn't Who You Think

September 10, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Knicks' Biggest Threat in the East Might Be Toronto

The New York Knicks have beaten the Toronto Raptors by roughly 20 points per game over the last few seasons, and the games haven't been particularly competitive. Yet Gavin Shaw of Locked On Knicks and Sean Woodley of Locked On Raptors both believe Toronto is the single team in the Eastern Conference best equipped to challenge the defending champion Knicks—not Boston, not Philadelphia, not Indiana.

Why Toronto's Defense Is Built to Bother the Knicks

The core argument rests on a specific defensive matchup that the Raptors can deploy. In one game last season, Toronto started Scottie Barnes on Jalen Brunson and Colin Murray-Boyles on Karl-Anthony Towns, and the effect was immediate. The Raptors had two big, mobile defenders who could switch those screening actions, guard both players capably, move their feet, and still protect the rim. That two-man game—Brunson and Towns running pick-and-roll—is the engine of the Knicks' offense, and Toronto has the personnel to shut off the water at its source.

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

What you'll learn

  • 1 Timestamped Navigation Outline
  • 2 (01:22) **Episode Introduction & Thesis** - Gavin Shaw introduces the central argument: the Toronto Raptors, not Boston or Philadelphia, may be the Knicks' biggest Eastern Conference threat
  • 3 (04:10) **Why the Raptors Are the Knicks' Biggest Threat** - The hosts explain Toronto's defensive matchup advantages against New York specifically
  • 4 (06:43) **Kawhi vs. Embiid: Health Risk Comparison** - A distinction between the injury concerns of two superstar threats
  • 5 (08:41) **The Knicks' Two-Man Game Vulnerability** - How Toronto's personnel can shut off New York's primary offensive engine
  • 6 (10:05) **Best Defense in the NBA Potential** - Why Toronto's defensive ceiling might be the league's highest
  • 7 (12:21) **RJ Barrett: The Swing Piece** - Analysis of Barrett's fit and evolution as Toronto's most intriguing roster variable

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Gavin Shaw Sean Woodley

Show Notes

The Toronto Raptors emerge as the New York Knicks' biggest threat in the East after a dramatic summer. Can Kawhi Leonard’s return and Toronto’s elite defensive potential disrupt the defending NBA champions’ quest for another Finals run?

Gavin Schall and Sean Woodley examine Toronto’s imposing matchup potential, fueled by the growth of Scottie Barnes and the x-factor roles of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley against their former team. The conversation spotlights Toronto’s defensive versatility, the impact of Kawhi guarding OG Anunoby, and how key roster decisions could shape both teams’ championship paths. Insightful analysis highlights the evolution of Barrett’s fit, Quickley’s pivotal contributions, and why Barnes might be primed for a star turn. Don’t miss this essential breakdown of the Eastern Conference’s new power dynamic.


 

Photo Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod
 

FanDuel
Make this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days.  Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM 
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)


 

#Knicks #NewYorkKnicks #NBA


 


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

More from this podcast

Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks →