Part of the pitch head coach Mike Brown made when he was hired by the Knicks last summer was instituting an offensive scheme that would allow star Jalen Brunson to get easier looks and be less ball-dominant. Through three playoff games, that has not been the case, and Brunson’s effectiveness on offense has suffered because of it, Jared Schwartz writes for the New York Post.
Part of that is due to a roster construction flaw that was always present but has been particularly noticeable in this series: the Knicks lack a second ball-handler who can get into the defense and create opportunities for teammates. Josh Hart is better at attacking an already-tilted defense, while players like OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Mikal Bridges are limited by a shaky handle and a lack of explosiveness with the ball. Karl-Anthony Towns is a good passer from a standstill but struggles to make reads on the move.
The Hawks also have a group of strong perimeter defenders, led by Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who have hounded Brunson and made life difficult for him.
“We all have to be aggressive, not just to shoot the ball, but be aggressive to touch the paint [on drives],” Brown said. “And if you don’t have anything in the paint, you gotta spray it. We haven’t gone anywhere near our sprays that we’ve wanted to in these first three games.”
We have more from the Knicks:
- After two-and-a-half games of struggling to contain Hawks guard CJ McCollum, the Knicks seemed to find an answer by putting Hart on him in the second half of Game 3. Hart corralled the smaller McCollum, holding him to just 2-of-5 shooting, Schwartz writes. However, when they most needed to get a stop on the final play of the game, Brown went away from the strategy. Instead, he had the smaller McBride guard McCollum one-on-one with 16 seconds to go while up one point, while Hart defended the inbounds passer. McCollum was able to get free for a comfortable look that ultimately proved to be the game-winner. “I’m not happy with my contest,” McBride said. “He made the shot. I feel like if I maybe had bumped him earlier, but trying to get a feel for how the game was being called. I don’t want to put him at the free-throw line in a sense like that.”
- The Knicks are only down 2-1 in the series, but they’re viewing Game 4 as a must-win, Steve Popper writes for Newsday. “We’re playing for our lives,” McBride said. “I mean, it is a seven-game series and it’s the first to four, but it’s ticking away. We don’t want to leave it up to chance. We don’t want to say we wish we could have or we wish we would have done this different. We want to take every opportunity, every chance we can, and take advantage of it, be together as a team and figure it out.”
- Mitchell Robinson has been uncharacteristically absent for a team that relied on the backup big man to provide much of their identity and defensive backbone throughout the year. On Friday, Robinson’s trainer, Marcell Scott, took to Instagram to express frustration with Brown’s approach to the series, Schwartz writes in another New York Post story. “Knicks Coach Mike Brown is SCARED to get mad!!!” Scott wrote on his post. “He’s to [sic] nice of a guy to coach the New York Knicks!!! He would rather play OG at the 5, instead of [Towns] and Mitch at the 4 and 5. Nice guys finish last Coach!” Scott has been vocal about Robinson’s role on the team in the past, Schwartz notes, including a post in December urging Brown to get Robinson more involved in the offense. Brown has said throughout the series that he’s struggled to find the right matchups to unleash the defensive-minded big man, especially in lineups that include Towns.
Hawks in 6
Marcell Scott not holding anything back!
Brunson doesn’t trust his teammates and dominates the ball – which makes him easy to defend. I would hate to try to play along side him because basically you stand around and watch. So it’s no wonder guys aren’t shooting well when they finally do get the ball. Branson does nothing to make his teammates better.
Knicks don’t need more ball handlers, they need better decision making from Brunson. The 12 second staring contest every possession is not gonna cut it in the playoffs. Every good playmaking scorer makes quick decisions.
I said it all year. What new offense. They are shooting more threes. Otherwise it’s same Brunson iso offense.
All this team has to do. Is run the offense thru Towns. All about matchups in playoffs. You do that and the offense will open up. Everyone will get better looks. Just giving the ball to Brunson. Only makes it easier for them to play D. This coach is weak-minded like his center. Wake up please …..
“The Knicks are only down 2-1 in the series, but they’re approaching Game 4 like their backs are against the wall”
Umm, their backs are actually up against the wall. They lose, they’re screwed.
Can’t lose today. That simple
What did I say. Go thru Towns lols
you said Knicks would win but its 2 – 1 to the hawks, and towns is still a crybaby
And you are still an amateur. Whe you learn the game. You may actually make a point one day.
It’s boring listening to nons.
You watching genius. Learn something please
Why you so mad bro
You are the amateur, need to learn to speak english first lil bro
The seventh planet is looking for you. I just me ares with your posts.
Sounds good I’ll meet you there lil bro
Is that you Davey J. Can’t stand to watch a real team win huh ….
Oh no you found out that im Davey John im so sad now, The lakers are doing better than knicks lil bro
Knicks finally woke ip and handled their Business. When you are a good team. You exploit matchups and defenses. Towns is trouble for Hawks, a good big. Brunson hasn’t had big games this series. Cause they have keyed on him. That makes it even easier for Towns to work. This is coaching and team leadership. Two things Knicks are weak at.
Playoffs are all about matchups. You have to be able to attack their weakness. Once you establish that. You can run your offense off of that. The guy who is our MVP so far is OG. Playing both ways great. Brown better not burn him out. Like to see Diawara get 15-18 mins. Keep OG fresh.
Today these small ball offenses put a forwatd or big guard on a center. I mean are you freakin serious. ALL Day I will abuse that. Even with Mitch. It’s mind boggling to me. That basketball lifers can’t get this right.