It's The Playoffs. What Leaders Can Learn From The Knicks

Forbes

27-04-2025

The Knicks exemplify how complementary leadership styles contribute to building a powerful team.
The New York Knicks have evolved dramatically over recent years, and this year's team has energized the fan base in unprecedented ways. During the 2024-25 regular season and the 2025 NBA playoffs, they're showcasing not just basketball talent but leadership qualities that translate powerfully to any professional setting. The Knicks demonstrate how diverse leadership styles contribute to building a formidable team when each person capitalizes on their unique strengths.
Even if you don't follow basketball or aren't a Knicks fan, the leadership analysis here offers valuable insights. With this type of analytical mindset, observe leaders across different environments. Study them deliberately, noting which qualities resonate and which don't (leaders are, of course, still flawed and human all the same). This focused attention builds a mental repository of effective leadership traits you can adapt or avoid, transforming casual observation into a powerful mechanism for your leadership development.
Regardless of how far the Knicks make it in this year's playoffs, here's what we can learn from five of their players.
Knicks team captain Jalen Brunson (left) embodies a 'leaders eat last' philosophy.
The Knicks found their north star in Jalen Brunson, who became team captain in August 2024—the franchise's first since 2019. He embodies a 'leaders eat last' philosophy, setting up his teammates for successful plays and taking responsibility in tough moments. He also exudes this approach off the court. In 2024, Brunson accepted a significantly reduced contract extension, sacrificing higher earnings to give the team salary flexibility to strengthen the Knicks roster around him.
Despite his rising stardom, Brunson has historically redirected attention to team success over individual accolades. He's renowned for his disciplined work ethic and ability to perform under pressure, distinguishing him as the 2024-25 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year.
Leadership Lesson: Brunson models authentic leadership that requires both competence and selflessness. Effective workplace leaders master their craft through disciplined practice while putting others—and the team—first. Like Brunson coordinating on the court, strong leaders excel at creating clarity during chaos, helping team members understand their roles and execute effectively. When pressure mounts, they remain composed and enable others to do the same.
Karl-Anthony Towns (right) has distinguished himself as a leader on and off the court.
Karl-Anthony Towns ('KAT') is an impact player who has consistently portrayed leadership through social responsibility and versatile contributions. In 2024, Towns was awarded the NBA's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award for his dedication to social justice, particularly his advocacy for voting rights.
On the court, KAT leads through his agility—grabbing rebounds, forcing turnovers, driving to the basket and shooting three-pointers. His strong partnership with Brunson creates a powerful 'one-two punch' dynamic that leverages both players' strengths.
Leadership Lesson: Towns demonstrates how leadership extends beyond your primary role. True leaders contribute to both organizational goals and broader societal needs. His complementary relationship with Brunson also illustrates how powerful partnerships can be.
Josh Hart (left) leads by being the 'heart of the team,' bonding his teammates together.
Often described as the 'heart of the team,' Josh Hart embodies the glue that activates players around him. His relentless hustle—Hart led the NBA in loose balls recovered in 2025—epitomizes leadership through sheer effort. At 6-foot-4, he also ranked 13th in the league in rebounding despite being the shortest player in that elite group by 5 inches.
Leadership Lesson: Hart's example teaches us to grab every opportunity that comes our way. Workplace leaders needn't always be in spotlight roles—some lead most effectively by creating cohesion and energizing the collective. Effective leaders often excel by developing strengths that might not be expected from their role or background.
Defensive powerhouse OG Anunoby (left) demonstrates his leadership by delivering under pressure.
OG Anunoby has become a defensive powerhouse for the Knicks. In the first three games of this year's playoffs, Anunoby demonstrated his defensive dominance with a total of nine steals and three blocks. Throughout the season, he's been recognized as one of the league's top perimeter defenders, often taking on the toughest defensive assignments.
Leadership Lesson: Anunoby shows us that specialized excellence can be a form of leadership. By taking on the challenging tasks that others shun, you exemplify leadership through accountability rather than authority. When you consistently deliver in high-pressure moments, you establish credibility that enhances your leadership influence.
P.J. Tucker (left) showcases leadership by mentoring younger players.
Unlike the aforementioned players, thirteen-year veteran P.J. Tucker demonstrates leadership from a different vantage point. Despite limited playing time, Tucker has an outsized impact through his invaluable mentorship from the bench and in the locker room, leveraging his extensive experience to guide younger players.
Leadership Lesson: Tucker exemplifies how veteran professionals can lead through mentorship rather than direct authority. Experienced leaders know when to step back and empower others, providing guidance while allowing team members room to grow. This coaching style of leadership builds organizational capacity by developing future leaders.
You can apply leadership qualities from the Knicks without playing basketball in the office.
The Knicks' playoff run teaches us how diverse leadership styles combine to create an effective team. From Brunson's composed orchestration to Towns' versatility, Hart's energy and productivity to Anunoby's specialized excellence, and Tucker's mentorship—each leader contributes uniquely to collective success.
These leadership lessons extend far beyond basketball. In any professional environment, the most effective teams feature complementary leadership styles that address different organizational needs.
As you observe leadership in action, in any context, consider what leadership styles and attributes align with your strengths and which might expand your capabilities. By deliberately incorporating elements from diverse leadership approaches, you can develop a more complete leadership toolkit that lends itself to different situations.
The question isn't which leadership style is best, but rather which combination of styles will help both you and your team thrive in an ever-changing landscape.