Knicks Notes: Brunson, Rose, ECF, Anunoby

The Knicks, playing in their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, have built their roster with two-time All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson at the fulcrum of the team, writes Fred Katz of The Athletic. Brunson agreed to a cheaper three-year contract extension last offseason rather than wait to sign a ful maximum deal this summer to help establish long-term security. That contract will give New York significant roster-building flexibility in the years to come.

Brunson, the newly minted Clutch Player of the Year, has been a calming presence in late-game situations, while stewarding New York’s deepest playoff run in a generation.

“It’s great we have someone who has a calming demeanor like that, especially in those moments you’re talking about,” All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns said. “J.B. was the Clutch Player of the Year for a reason.”

Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the 6’2″ pro is averaging 46.1 points per 36 minutes across clutch situations — games that are within five points with five or fewer minutes remaining in regulation or overtime.

The Knicks are currently in the midst of the first contest of their Eastern Conference Finals series against Indiana.

There’s more out of New York:

• Knicks team president Leon Rose‘s decisions to trade most of his draft equity in exchange for the maximum-salaried Towns and pricey All-Defensive Team swingman Mikal Bridges in the offseason were deemed risky at the time, but have been paying dividends in a big way lately, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Bridges’ two-way play has been critical through the first two rounds of the playoffs, while Towns has weathered some uneven performances with some critical offensive moments. “To find success here in New York is something that is not for everyone, and it’s something that is very difficult to do,” Towns said earlier this week. “For us to be in this position shows that we stepped up to the challenge and [we also have] the benefit of having amazing teammates and support systems — both of us.”
• While consulting a panel of five league experts, The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy (subscriber link) unpacked four critical elements in the series needed for the Knicks to defeat Indiana, on the eve of Game 1.
• Knicks All-Defensive Team forward OG Anunoby, who has struggled with injury issues throughout his career, has been fully healthy and available during this run, Bondy notes in another piece (subscriber link). New York is capitalizing on his availability. Anunoby strained his hamstring during Game 2 of the Knicks’ eventual seven-game second round slugfest against Indiana, subsequently missing the rest of the series. Bondy opines that the absence of Anunoby, above anything else, led to the series being extended to seven contests and eventually lost by New York. Now, Anunoby is healthy, and primed for a rematch.