For nearly three decades, the WNBA has often been told to take notes from the NBA — from its players to its rules and style of play. But that argument is outdated and oversimplified, failing to recognize the unique identity and innovation present in women’s basketball. It might be time for the NBA, specifically New York’s marquee franchise, to take some lessons from its crosstown counterpart, the New York Liberty.
As the Knicks enter an offseason filled with uncertainty, one of the most valuable takeaways could be how the Liberty built their roster around leadership and accountability. The key move came with the acquisition of 33-year-old two-way guard Natasha Cloud, a former champion who consistently ranks among the league leaders in assists and defensive metrics. Cloud’s impact wasn’t just statistical; her leadership, assertiveness, and willingness to hold teammates accountable became a defining feature for the Liberty.
Even as the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the team often lacked a consistent, vocal leader throughout the season and playoffs. For New York’s basketball front office, finding the “Natasha Cloud” type of player could be the missing piece to elevate the team past the next hurdle.
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb described Cloud as a player the team had long pursued. She was identified years ago not only for her two-way ability on the court but also for her unique capacity to connect the team off it. Cloud joined the roster months after the Liberty’s first-ever WNBA championship, complementing superstars like Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu, along with a deep bench that ranked first in the league in plus-minus in 2024.
From the start of training camp, Cloud’s presence was felt. Her voice and intensity immediately reinforced the team’s culture and prevented any signs of a championship hangover. The Liberty opened the season with an 8-0 record, the best start in franchise history, demonstrating how impactful leadership can be in shaping a team’s identity.
The Knicks, despite adding All-NBA talents like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, struggled with inconsistency throughout the 2024-25 season. Moments of brilliance were often followed by stagnation, revealing a lack of collective identity that the Liberty now enjoy under Cloud’s leadership. The Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Pacers highlighted these gaps and ultimately led to the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau.
With Cloud orchestrating the offense and defense for the Liberty, there is a clear sense of identity. The team relies on defense to spark transition opportunities, and in half-court sets, Cloud and the Liberty’s stars create spacing that forces opponents into difficult decisions. Players like Jonquel Jones remain engaged, and long scoring droughts are virtually eliminated. Cloud even delivers in clutch moments, making game-changing stops and steals that directly impact wins.
Her statistics are strong — averaging 10.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game — but it’s the intangibles that make Cloud invaluable. She embodies the standard the Liberty aspire to, emphasizing team success over individual accolades.
Now the Knicks face a challenge: finding a player who can bring the same type of leadership and impact that Cloud provides for the Liberty. Cap space limitations make the search tricky, and the move may not involve a high-profile superstar. It could be a quieter, under-the-radar acquisition — the kind that changes a team’s culture and identity from the inside out.
The takeaway is clear. While the WNBA has often been asked to learn from the NBA, sometimes the NBA could benefit from looking across the city and studying how teams like the Liberty build leadership, accountability, and winning cultures that translate into consistent success.
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