New York’s MSG will host a basketball game for the first time in months today!
It’s homecoming day in New York as the Knicks will host the Washington Wizards inside Madison Square Garden on Wednesday for the second game of the Bockers preseason.
The squad returned home on Tuesday to train at their Tarrytown facilities for the first time after spending training camp in Charleston.
Here’s the latest from the Knicks employees as we wait to watch Karl-Anthony Towns make his “official” MSG debut donning the Orange & Blue threads.
Tom Thibodeau
On reacclimating OG Anunoby and bringing new players into the system:
“Obviously you start at a zero base and you build. And that’s where we are.
“We’re building right now, but we have to understand that you build together.
“And so you’re asking everyone to share the floor, share the ball, and then be committed together defensively. And so that’s what we’re working on.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns dropping deep often in the first preseason game and whether or not he’ll keep doing it:
“We’ll have to do both in terms of how the center defends in the pick-and-roll. It’ll obviously vary on opponent and matchup.”
On Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims’ preseason debut:
“Great physicality and rebounding.”
OG Anunoby
On getting more comfortable with his teammates through his first full Knicks training camp:
“It’s been every day getting better and better. We’re figuring each other out, going through some mishaps here and there, but growing through it each and every day.”
On the importance of going through a full training camp (the Knicks acquired OG mid-season last year):
“Yeah, this year I know what to expect more. So definitely having a whole training camp and season will definitely help out a lot.”
On not being concerned with putting up offensive numbers:
“It’s (about) knowing that everyone’s gonna have their night. Some nights it’s gonna be this guy, that guy, someone off the bench. At the end of the day, winning is the most important thing.”
On playing with Karl-Anthony Towns in a deeper drop:
“Making sure to chase over the screen, get a rearview contest. Communicating that out (is important).”
On whether or not KAT is the best shooter on the Knicks:
“I wouldn’t say he’s the best, but he’s a great shooter. I think I’m the best. JB probably thinks he’s the best.”
Jalen Brunson
On having a full training camp with OG Anunoby:
“It’s great, first to see him healthy again and just to start the year off with him.
“It’s a lot easier when you have the whole team and go through training camp, [making] sure you’ve got your basics down.
“In-season trades are always tough for an individual learning an offensive scheme and defensive scheme. It’s just easier when you’re in training camp to learn all that stuff.”
On the Knicks’ first preseason game:
“It was the first day. Obviously, our pace will get better and all that stuff. We look at how we can fine-tune it.”
On whether or not there’s a difference between small-small PNRs (JB-Hart) and small-big PNRs (JB-KAT):
“Me and Josh just know how to read one another. He’s directing as much as I am.”
On sacrificing and the Knicks’ chemistry:
“It’s all about trying to find the right reads, make the right play at the right time.
“I mean, whatever it takes to win. We’re not sitting there saying, ‘Alright, I’m going to sacrifice this so you can do this.’ No, we’re out there, we’re playing the game and whatever we see we’re going to attack it.
“If we cross that bridge and something needs to be addressed then we address it. But we have guys that just want to win and do whatever it takes.”