Knicks Bulletin: ‘I don’t think they’re good enough to advance to the 2nd round’

Postseason preview inside Madison Square Garden on Thursday! Don’t miss it!

The Knicks might have lost all games they have played against the Cavs and the Celtics but today they have a chance to beat the team they will (most likely) need to defeat in the first round of the playoffs.

New York hosts Detroit for a first-round preview on Thursday, although the Knicks won’t have two starters and a semi-starter available for this matchup.

Here’s what we’ve missed of late from Thibs and a few other folks.

Tom Thibodeau

On Brunson’s performance against Boston and his need to quickly ramp up:

“I thought Jalen gave us really good minutes. I thought he got into a pretty good rhythm. He was in attack mode and that’s good for us.

“Each game he’s getting better and better, but the playoffs will be here shortly. So there’s urgency to this.”

On what can be learned from close games, win or lose:

“That’s why you have to fight to win every possession because oftentimes these games end up being a one-possession game.

“The thing is, in every game, you learn something. That’s what we take from the game—what we did, what we can learn and what we can do better—and keep going. Take everything step by step.”

Jalen Brunson

On his current form after returning from injury:

“I’m almost there. That’s all I have to say about it.”

On what to take from the Celtics game:

“I think it’s something we can build off. There’s a lot of things we can take positive from this game, and there’s some negative things we can take.

“That’s every game, not just this game in particular. It’s a little disappointing, just knowing that we fought back and had a chance.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the loss to Boston and team progress:

“There’s no moral victories. We (need to do) a better job. It’s about getting the win and we just didn’t do that tonight. We’re getting better every day.

“That’s a testament to everyone in this locker room, professionalism, character. Just keep fighting and keep moving forward, keep finding ourselves getting that one percent better every night.”

Shaquille O’Neal (Former NBA Player)

On the Knicks in the playoffs:

“I don’t think they’re good enough to advance to the second round, that’s just me personally.”

On the Pistons’ chances:

“Hell yeah, Cade, Hell yeah. Isaiah Stewart, oh yes.”