In previous seasons, the Knicks couldn’t afford a subpar — and even quiet — Jalen Brunson efficiency.
They’d battle when it occurred.
That’s not the case.
The newest instance got here in Monday’s 139-125 rout of the Raptors.
Brunson was held to 12 factors on 4-for-13 taking pictures and went 0-for-5 from 3-point vary.
It didn’t matter.
“I feel like it’s a blessing that JB doesn’t have to do what he did last game for us to come out with a win like we did [on Monday],” Karl-Anthony Cities mentioned, referring to Brunson’s 39-point outburst within the Knicks’ earlier win over the Pelicans. “It speaks to the growth of this team. He doesn’t have to have the whole city on his back every single night.”
The Knicks are 6-1 this 12 months when Brunson fails to attain 20 factors.
The earlier two seasons, they had been 15-15.
Coach Tom Thibodeau’s workforce has extra offensive choices, whether or not it’s Cities, Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby, amongst others.
Brunson’s scoring is down this 12 months, at 24.6 factors from 28.7 a 12 months in the past, on a median of 4.4 fewer pictures.
His assists (7.6) are up almost one per sport and his taking pictures percentages are a tick higher, too.
“It’s great. I think it’s going to open it up for him even more,” Bridges mentioned. “When you have to respect everybody, you can’t help as much. You don’t help, it’s going to be tough to guard him. Just trying to keep teams honest, so they have to play straight up, and that’s when JB will be in kill mode.”
Most significantly, the Knicks are forward of final 12 months’s win tempo.
Via 29 video games, they’re 19-10.
Final season at this level, they had been two video games worse, at 17-12, and fell to 17-15 after 32 contests.
Brunson has repeatedly mentioned all that issues to him is the top end result.
So when he was requested about his low level complete after Monday’s win, his reply was what you’ll anticipate.
“I’m just happy we got the win,” the Knicks’ captain mentioned. “I don’t really give a crap.”
The Knicks are planning to re-sign sharpshooting wing Matt Ryan to a two-way contract and waive guard Boo Buie, The Athletic first reported.
