Knicks Bulletin: ‘No one ever judges us about offense’

Will the Knicks win six game in a row? You bet they’ll do, fool.

The Knicks rested on Thursday but they will get back to the lab on Friday as they gear up to host LeBron James at MSG for one final time on Saturday before he retires for good.

New York is entering the weekend riding a five-game winning streak and with just two All-Star Game participants as the dudes that call themselves coaches across the Association decided not to pick Josh Hart among the ASG reserves. Shame on them.

Here’s the latest we’ve heard from Coach Thibs and the

Tom Thibodeau

On Adam Silver’s 10-minute-quarter idea:

“I’m probably more traditional, so I’d hate to see that. That’s just a personal [bias] — I haven’t really thought about it just because of the records and things of that nature.

“I think we have a great game. I think what people want to see is competition. And when you study what’s transpired over time, there’s always been different styles of play.

“But what goes into winning is the same, and what the fans enjoy is great competition. So I think if we focus on the competition aspect of it, everything else will fall into place.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the Knicks’ defense and progression:

“We’ve been able to show all of y’all that we have another level or two to go.”

On defensive chemistry with Mikal Bridges:

“I just think it was about being cohesive. We’re all new to playing with each other. Me, Kal, we’re new guys here. We’re just trying to figure it out and understand what everyone’s strengths are.

“So I think these last couple games, me and Kal have had a good rapport with each other when it comes to the pick-and-roll defense and understanding how we want to attack the offensive players and where our margin of error is, you know?

“So Mikal’s done a great job at the point of attack. I’ve tried to do my best to utilize my hands to get some steals or also use my length to make passes much more difficult and have them pass them into the corner with some pressure.

“That allows OG [Anunoby] and J.B. [Jalen Brunson] and Josh [Hart] to do what they do best, which is being in the passing lane and get the steal and then we get to push in transition.

“For me, it was just getting used to these guys and what they do best.”

On the Knicks’ offensive firepower and defensive growth:

“No one ever judges us about offense—this team has offensive firepower.

“But I understand that we haven’t shown the best version of ourselves defensively, and I think that these last couple games we’ve been able to show execution on that side.”

Mikal Bridges

On Towns’ adjustment to defending ball screens:

“[When Towns] drops back, guards come around [the screen] snaking and get to where they want.

“But him being up helps the team defense and helps the guy on the ball to get back.”

Josh Hart

On Towns’ defensive positioning and communication:

“Obviously, for the guys that were here before, it was a little bit different in terms of [Towns’] placement in the ball screens.

“And I think that kind of took a second to get into a rhythm. But I think we’re doing it now. He’s been amazing in terms of communication. And guys that he has to be up [against in the pick and roll], he is and making it tough for guys.”

Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets Coach)

On proposed NBA rule changes:

“I hope we don’t go to 10-minute quarters. I hope we don’t go to the four-point line. I hope we don’t become Barnum and Bailey where we’re just having to do whatever we have to do to keep viewership.

“Because there is a history and greatness to this game, and a purity to this game, and I hope we can find a way to stay true to that.”

On how fans consume NBA games today:

“Do people watch the games on TV anymore? Serious question. With all these streaming services, I think people are watching the NBA differently now than they did 20 years ago. … How many young people watch games on TV? They consume the game in a much different manner.

“I give the league credit in terms of this – they are always trying to figure out ways to keep the fans engaged and to keep the league and the team in a great spot.”