The Knicks fell two wins shy of the Finals. Their top player has no doubts they can make up that deficit next season. Jalen Brunson believes the core group will do whatever it takes to get over the hump, Zach Braziller of the New York Post writes.
“The most confident. Overconfident. Seriously,” Brunson said of the team’s future. “There’s not an ounce of any type of doubt that I’m not confident with this group. We have a lot of guys who are on this team, and I feel like you guys always ask, ‘what do you work on whenever you come back?’ and stuff like that,. And from what I’ve seen, no one’s really out there posting themselves about the things that they do. We have a lot of guys that just genuinely want to work hard to be better, and I like that, and I appreciate my teammates and everything they do and everything they believe in.”
Brunson was appreciative of the character his teammates showed.
“I think the way this team progressed this year, for me it was fun,” he said. “There were a lot of people saying we couldn’t do a lot of things. A lot of negativity around what we were trying to accomplish and the way we put blinders on and went to work, that’s something I was proud of with this team. I’m proud of how we stayed the course.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- What steps should they take to achieve that Finals goal? Chris Herring of ESPN makes three suggestions — going with Mitchell Robinson as a starter on a regular basis with Josh Hart coming off the bench; improving the second unit and going with a deeper bench rotation; and finding ways to better utilize the partnership between Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
- Given the draft pick haul they received, the Nets are thus far the clear winners in last summer’s Mikal Bridges blockbuster trade, Brian Lewis of the New York Post opines. The early payoff will begin this month when the Nets utilize some of those draft picks but there’s plenty more to come. Meanwhile, Bridges flopped in the Eastern Conference Finals trying to guard Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, according to Lewis, who says the Knicks could still make the deal a win-win if they reach the Finals next year with Bridges — or in the future, if he signs an extension.
- Speaking of Bridges, potential extension talks between the two parties this summer are at or near the top of the team’s priority list, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. Bridges could get more money if he waits until free agency next summer but he also looms as a tradable asset if he has an expiring contract. Extending Tom Thibodeau and deciding whether to sign any of their four unrestricted free agents are also on the offseason agenda, Bondy writes.
- In a related story, Braziller breaks down the contract status of each player heading into the offseason. New York’s top seven rotation players are under contract through at least next season.
Knicks are the most interesting team to watch this offseason. The combined trade value of their 1 – 5 individually is highest of any team in East, but the team on the floor is less than the sum of its parts.
Bridges will never be the offensive complement to Brunson the Knicks envisioned. He’s not getting that huge deal he wants from the Knicks this offseason, but there will be other teams where he fits better.
Hugely difficult to admit the mistake, but he’s gotta go.
Here’s the alternative to that. Bridges has won with Brunson in the past, albeit in college, but nonetheless the chemistry is there. Furthermore, perhaps the Knicks don’t make it as far as they did without Bridges. This is the first time they have reached the ECF in 25 years.
He wasn’t a mistake, he was a solid addition. He took the assignment of guarding Haliburton, who scored the majority of his points off switches. And he was shut down as well. The two wins in Boston on close out D at the end?
Bridges.
padam, I was careful to say that Bridges is a valuable player. He’s a solid value at $25M/yr.
We’ll have to disagree whether acquiring Bridges was a mistake. My premise is that the Knicks acquired Bridges to win a Championship, not win a few more playoff games. You don’t spend 5 first round picks (i.e., all your chips, so you can’t make any more moves) unless it puts you over the top.
Bridges was less than what the Knicks hoped in both the regular season and the playoffs. That’s not my opinion alone, but the concensus around the league.
Brunson apparently needs to Google the definition of “overconfident”.
He’s “never been more confident” about what exactly? Because nobody in who watched the Pacers series thinks the Knicks beat them next time around.
For once I’d like to hear Knicks players say it’s title or bust. This window isn’t open long.
Towns never winning a title
Speaking of the Knicks, I just saw the next Carmelo Anthony in Isaiah Hamilton. Youngster from Toronto plays exactly like young Melo (if not a lil advanced at the same age). In tonight’s group stage W vs Venezuela he scored somewhere in the mid-high 20s w/ at least 3 big treys & 3 nasty dunks, including an absolutely legendary dunk w/ under a min left to put the game away. Youngster is the real deal, he even has a salty attitude (caught a bogus tech but was animated throughout). Hamilton has locks while Melo had braids but both are extremely similar prospects. Hamilton will def be a top3 NBA pick as soon as he’s eligible… link to m.youtube.com
Did he play terrible help defense and get beat on a few breakouts by the other team? How many ole moments were there on defense?
Isiah Hamilton is legit.
Canada is producing more NBA talent every year. The Finals will feature Canadians like SGA, Dort, Nembhart, and Mathurin.
The NBA is a global game, and we’re all the better for it.
They all appear to be less than their individual values playing next to someone as ball dominant as Brunson. And don’t get me wrong, Brunson is great but I think they have to mix it up by having him play off ball at times. They either need to bring in another pg (Davion Mitchell, Denis Schroder?) or just play more Brunson and McBride together.
Deuce plays a similar style to Brunson as far as being as score first lead guard. But I agree with your overall point. They did just draft a more pass 1st guy that would look to get NYK’s scorers involved more. But it remains to be seen whether Kolek can be a rotation guy on a contender. Possible that we find out next season.
I don’t see how you play Kolek and Brunson at same t Iime.
Well, if Brunson passes the ball they might have a shot
This team defers too much to Jalen offensively to win a championship. Thats obvious. However they outperformed where I thought they would this year by beating the C’s and they don’t do that without Jalen killing it during crunch time.
Its clear when you say Brunson is ball dominant. You don’t watch the Knicks. Cause the real statement is. What happened to Knicks offense that made him more ball dominant. In many ways the offense became a two man game. Towns n Brunson, Just like Randle and Brunson were. The new starting five this yr was suppose to be about sharing the ball. About spreading the offense. Ball movement.
A lot of this occurs cause teams singled out Brunson as a way to beat the Knicks. So Thibs went more to the pick n roll and managing the game from there. Isolating Brunson and Towns and start from there. Put into play Brunsons game and Towns shooting. It wasn’t just Brunson being more ball dominant. It was also an adjustment to how teams defended Knicks. Me personally I don’t see why you can’t use all your schemes. But most teams try and keep it simple.
See its called coaching the players you have. Knicks didn’t have a bench. So this is what they thought was best for their offense. Also with Mitch back. They didn’t have to outscore teams anymore. They could play team D and win it by managing the game ……Thats managing both ways …..
They got to East Finals. And imo they got beat by a deeper team. Not necessarily more talented. That’s why most look at this as failure. Truth is Thibs did a good job getting them here. Pacers exposed what we know was their weakness. Like a good team does. Knicks weren’t built to win it this year. Real fans understand what this means. The geniuses here should know. This Knicks team has 4 new starters this year. Only Brunson started all year last year……. I get nobody cares. But if you think you got answers. You should understand what that means. Really !!
Knicks did blow it with the bench ………
Imagine they listen to me and sign TJ. Could be a whole different take ………. Yup
Being deeper doesn’t make them better. The Pacers won fewer games than the Knicks did this season. And the Knicks do have a bench but Thibs prefers not to use them. And spare me the ‘you must not watch Knicks games’ nonsense. I watched every playoff game and many during the season. Some ppl just need to get off the idea that they know the game ’better than anyone else’. Just stop.
The Knicks spent 5 FRPs to get Mikal Bridges and then never made him a regular part of the offense… or worse, didn’t understand his game. This is not all to knock Thibs, who I think is a very good coach, but if you’re too stubborn to make adjustments, that’s not good either.
Any team gets deeper they are better. That’s just common sense. We are not talking about Hornets or Wizards here. Any playoff team that gets deeper is better.
How deep were the Celts last year..? how about the 22-23 Nuggets..? heck, even the GSW the previous yr went just 8 deep in the playoffs. Depth is good to have, but that doesn’t necessarily make you better. The Knicks have structural issues to work on, as noted.
Did you watch the playoffs. Do you understand depth. Knicks had depth they could of won whole thing lol. The world knows Knicks need depth. Its not a hot take. Their biggest and best bench player. Didn’t play till playoffs …. Please
Okay, Brunson isn’t ball dominant…
Watching all these NBA shows today and teh New York sport writers all come off as babies. Whinning and crying about teh Knicks losing claiming they should be world champs this season. SMH Knicks over performed this year and had a great season to bash them for losing to a team that was hot shows to much emotions for a sport writer.
There is so much noise in NY. Especially now with social media. Nobody cares about the truth. It’s all click bait. That’s why I talk about what I watch and see. Not about the stories out there …….
This is why you can’t rebuild in NY. Been trying to this board understand that since day 1.
Tell this board ——-
And I suppose only you know the truth.. amirite?
Of all the teams in sports the NY teams are under the most pressure. I remember a player signed with a NY team and couldn’t beleive that people stayed outside all night at his residence for a autograph.
I don’t know if it’s fair to malign the Knicks now or say the Pacers were better… hot, yes. I have to say, in fairness, the series goes 7 if Nesmith doesn’t have a frackin all time heater in game 1. That was basically not human. I mean, the stars freakin aligned… not only Nesmith but the lane violations not called, the missed FTs, missed goaltending call… i mean that won’t happen again in 50 years.
Lewis is an idiot. To say the Nets are the clear winners is a joke. They’re getting close to second round picks (the Knicks picks). Those picks haven’t even been drafted to prove out. Bridges and the Knicks were two short from going to the finals, and it’s just his first year with the team. Typical 2nd grade level writing from the NYP.
If there’s any angst in the NYK FO regarding the season, I can almost guarantee it’s not over any of the things being bandied about in 2k nation. Rose, after all, does not appear to play 2k. Plus, Rose, unlike many here, almost certainly watched the games and understood what he was watching.
Those differences alone mean that his concerns are probably not about the offense at all. In any event, he shouldn’t be, at least not primarily. The NYK finished 5th in the league in offense, which is good; and for a team where the top 4 options were in their first year with each other, is exceptionally good. The only teams ahead of the NYK were CLE, BOS, DEN and OKC, all of whom returned all their top offensive options in tact. The playoffs were no different. Their W/L record follows their defensive performance.
Defense, on the other hand, should occupy Rose’s thoughts daily. I’d add in physicality and offensive boards too. All three areas took a hit this year from prior years. Whatever resources he has left, have to be used to reverse those. All decisions – KAT, Bridges, Mitch, etc. – have to have that as a backdrop. Otherwise, Rose might as well take up 2k and start posting here.
Knicks hit 5 threes in the last game iirc… 5. in the entire game. They miss Dante… or someone with that skill set. It’s just not a perfect roster to go all the way. Brunson just covered for a lot of the flaws. They definitely have things to do this summer.
Actually 9 threes, but 4 of them were in garbage time. Shamet hit 3 in the last 90 seconds.
Of course it’s not a perfect roster, and one doesn’t need to chase stats from one game to show it. 3 pt shooting has not been the consistent strength they figured it would be all year, mostly because Bridges has fallen off the table from non-corner 3’s. It would be great to upgrade any and every element of the team.
But, practically, the NYK’s resources (including deal making space under the CBA) are quite finite, and need to be directed toward the weakest elements. That’s the defense, starting in the middle, which has been at a level that’s precluded true contention all year. If they don’t fix that, then it’s irrelevant what else they do. No team in recent memory has won a championship ranked as low on defense as the NYK, and the NYK won’t be the first. It’s not a scheme issue (we have one of the best there). It’s not a focus issue. It’s a personnel issue and its on Leon to address it.