Knicks Bulletin: ‘It’s an impossible job’

Finally, there will be NBA basketball played in New York today.

The New York Knicks will return to action on Saturday after spending a good bunch of days off the court.

New York returned to practice on Friday ahead of today’s matchup and a few players, along with Tom Thibodeau, offered a few thoughts and soundbites to the media members present at the Tarrytown facilities.

Here’s what we’ve heard from Coach Thibs and the pair of All-Star starters belonging to the Knickerbockers.

Tom Thibodeau

On the team concept behind All-Star recognition:

“It is great. And I mentioned this to [team president] Leon [Rose] and Wes [VP William Wesley] last night, and they’ve done a great job of making this attractive for all the players in this league.

“We have a great history. And I think to have Walt and Pearl recognized is special, but it’s been going on since Leon and Wes have been here. To bring back our former players, and certainly what Walt and Earl and those teams did, we’re very proud of, and so it’s sort of neat to have them here and to share in it with Jalen and KAT.”

On the impossibility of choosing All-Star reserves:

“It’s an impossible job because of the number of players having All-Star seasons and the limited amount of spots.

“Usually, the last three or four spots, you can make a case for any of those guys, and they’re deserving.”

“Unfortunately, somebody’s gonna be left out. Usually, when you’re trying to decide, it comes down to which team is winning more.

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s our reality, and you feel badly for the guys that are deserving. There are a number of great players in the league.”

On Brunson and Towns making the All-Star starting lineups:

“I think it’s great, and they’ve had great seasons, but it’s also a byproduct of what their teammates are doing with them as well. Winning helps them get recognized.

“Very proud of them and certainly felt they were deserving. And there’s still a long way for us to go, but it’s a great accomplishment for our organization.”

On Brunson and Towns’ chemistry:

“They complement each other extremely well. Not only as players, but as people, as teammates. They care about their teammates. They care about winning.

“They’re both very skilled offensively — in terms of the pick-and-roll, their shooting ability, and their ability to score at all three levels — but also their commitment to team play. That’s huge, and we have a team full of guys like that.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s recovery:

“Steady progress, working out every day — he’s moving great.

“It’s hard for me to say (when Robinson will return). I have to trust the medical people to give him clearance. There haven’t been any setbacks.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On being selected to the All-Star team:

“It’s a huge honor to be selected to the All-Star team. All-Star selections are an amazing honor. But rings are cooler, so we’ll try to do that.

On becoming the first pair of Knicks teammates—along with Brunson—to start in the ASG in 50 years:

“It’s super special to even be mentioned with names like that (Clyde Fraizer and Earl Monroe).

“I grew up in this area [in New Jersey], and to have my name close to their names is something you just dream about when you’re young. So I’m super-honored, to say the least.

“And I’m just really happy to have the opportunity to represent my teammates because they’re the reason that we’re able to do this.”

On sharing the ASG-starter achievement with Brunson:

“It’s really special to be able to do it with a teammate. So shoutout to JB and our coaches and teammates because they made it possible.

“We’re just there to represent our whole team. These guys are the reason that we’re able to go out there and do what we do.”

On adapting to his new role with the Knicks:

“I just wanna win. If I’ve shown anything in my career, I’ve shown many times that I’m willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. I just want to win, and I’ll do whatever it takes. This is Jalen’s team, and it’s always been Cap’s team. I just want to amplify everyone any way I possibly can.”

On his SLAM cover:

“SLAM has been something that has been synonymous with people in this area. To be on another Slam Cover is a huge honor. Reminds me of my childhood.”

Jalen Brunson

On being connected to Frazier and Monroe as a Knicks-pair ASG starter:

“It means a lot. It’s been a while for this organization. I’m just happy I was able to do it. I can’t really put it into words. It’s an honor.”

On his relationship with Walt Frazier:

“When we first had him on the [”Roommates”] podcast [with teammate Josh Hart], I learned a lot about him. We’ve talked a lot off camera, as well. To hear his experience and everything, and to see just how competitive he can be, it’s really cool [to have] that relationship with someone like that who means so much to the city.”

On being named an All-Star starter:

“I knew [starting] was a possibility, but I didn’t get my hopes up too high. Just very thankful. It’s individual, but it’s a team award.

“I’m thankful to the fans who voted, the players and coaches as well. I don’t take it lightly.

“You work your whole life for moments like this. I actually said this yesterday on my podcast, about how when you accept the role when you come into the league, it’d be easier for you to have a long career. And so if you understand your role and accept it, but still work at a pace where you wanna be.

“You look back and you see how far you’ve come and it’s a cool feeling, but I’m still not satisfied. I want to make that very clear. I still want to get better.”

On facing the Kings on Saturday after three days off:

“Obviously, they had a little bit of a slow start, but they’ve been playing well.

“Most importantly, we need to keep our consistency. Our mental approach has to be the same every single game. We have to be ready to go.

“It’s going to be a dogfight when we get out there, no matter who we’re playing against. Any given night something could happen, so we have to be ready to go.”

On Karl-Anthony Towns as an All-Star starter:

“It shows who he is and what he’s been able to do in a short period of time here.”

On winning the NBA Cares award:

“It means a lot because it’s something I really wanted to do regardless of what I did in my career or if I made it to the NBA or not. It’s important to help the world grow.”