The New York Knicks won once in the month of February. Aside from a surprise win over the Golden State Warriors, they endured a complete freefall down the standings with nine losses in the month's short schedule. Several of those losses saw the Knicks blow 20-point leads.

Although the playoffs will soon be out of reach if they keep playing this pathetically, the Knicks can use the rest of their season to their advantage. Letting the young guys take over will be the best thing they can do. Head coach Tom Thibodeau, known for his overreliance on veterans, has shown some signs of allowing the youngsters to get more reps.

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4 bold Knicks predictions

1. RJ Barrett continues to play out of his mind

Barrett has unquestionably been the team's best player this season. Especially in 2022, he has shined and put up several big games, including a career-best 46 points against the Miami Heat. The Knicks have failed to live up to his example, though.

Barrett will likely keep getting more touches as the season goes on anyway. But because of how hard-working and determined he is, he could show out the rest of the way. His confidence is extremely high following one of the best months of his young career. Since he will likely be the franchise player for years to come, getting him familiar with big scoring nights should be a staple of the Knicks

2. Immanuel Quickley enters the starting lineup

Alec Burks seems to have a firm hold on the team's starting point guard spot. His inability to generate open looks or penetrate consistently makes him completely unfit for the role.

Although Quickley hasn't been very good this season, he is the best available option New York has at point guard. His ability to get into the paint and swing the ball around should allow him to get his teammates going better than Burks. Even though Burks' 3-point percentage is five percent better, IQ can still contribute perimeter shooting.

Fortunately for the Knicks, Derrick Rose could be back in a couple of weeks after undergoing ankle surgery. Thibodeau may lean heavily on his old friend but might also keep him in the bench role he thrives in. If he does, he should bring Burks back to the bench so that he can take advantage of Rose's playmaking.

Quickley may not necessarily deserve to start but he has shown skills that would allow the offense to run more smoothly. With Barrett and Julius Randle commanding the offense, having someone that can

3. Cam Reddish becomes a huge part of the rotation

At some point, Thibodeau will have to recognize what Reddish brings to the table. Whether the front office demands that he plays or he finally comes around, the midseason acquisition has been too impactful to ignore in the few minutes he has played.

Depending on how strongly Rose comes back after months off, Reddish could become the team's sixth man. His defense has been stingy and energetic, which should work in his favor as he looks to impress Thibodeau. His offensive output has been poor but it could bounce back with a more consistent role. He was posting some of the best numbers of his career his season with the Atlanta Hawks before being traded.

Although the Hawks' stellar offense is a world of difference from the Knicks' offense and likely easier to thrive in, Reddish deserves a bigger chance.

4. Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson get benched in favor of Jericho Sims

Against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, Thibodeau rolled with the rookie out of Texas over his veteran centers as Mitchell Robinson's backup. Especially with Robinson's future with the team in limbo, Sims getting used to big-league action is important. He can grow into the role Robinson has as a dangerous lob threat and shot blocker.

It shouldn't be too hard for Sims to keep getting big minutes. Noel is almost always injured and Gibson's 36 years of age is truly showing this season. As long as he keeps playing hard and can work on mitigating foul trouble, Sims could easily become New York's primary backup center for the rest of the season and even next season.