The Knicks thrive as the underdog but get complacent and falter when they are the favorite in a series. Them being the favorite to win the East rn might jinx them

Almost every playoff series the Knicks have lost in this era has been while they were the higher seed and favored in the books.

2021- 4 seed Knicks L to 5 seed Hawks.

2023- 5 seed Knicks L to 8 seed Heat

2024- 2 seed Knicks L to 6 seed Pacers

2025- 3 seed Knicks L to 4 seed Pacers

Meanwhile they have won pretty much every series they entered as a underdog

2023 vs Cavs, 2024 vs Sixers (not by seed but fans thought Philly would win), 2025 vs Celtics

Basically the Knicks are most dangerous when doubted and most susceptible when the pressure is on them. For that reason the fact that they are now expected to make the finals is actually bad for the Knicks.

Should the Knicks be trusted to take care of business 2 rounds in a row when they havent done it before? I think until proven otherwise there is reasonable doubt and I actually think a team like Cleveland or even Philly is more likely to make it out of the East.