If the New York Knicks are going to keep winning without Jalen Brunson in the lineup, they need increased output from everyone on the roster. NY showcased the blueprint of this concept in Monday’s dominating 133-104 victory over Sacramento. Each of their top eight players had a good game on both ends, and the team’s overall competitive level was off the charts. Since bringing in all of the extra offensive talent last offseason, the Knicks had lost the spirit of years past. Without their captain, they were forced to regain it.
Knicks Flash Winning Formula Without Brunson in All-Around Win
In the win against the Kings, who had won eight of 12, NY flashed the egalitarian offensive formula we all expected before the season. All five starters scored in double figures as well as Landry Shamet with 13 points off the bench. Tom Thibodeau’s group focused on ball and player movement more than we’ve ever seen with Brunson in the lineup. This kind of effort should be a reminder that despite Brunson’s brilliance, the Knicks are a well-rounded unit. They should focus more on a five-out offense where every guy touches it rather than Brunson/Karl-Anthony Towns pick-and-rolls or isolations on every possession.
Those six guys combined for 117 points on 69 shots and were 18-31 from deep. Yes, it was an outlier shooting performance, but most of the looks were open shots created by great ball movement. New York ran in transition to the tune of a 26-8 advantage in fast break points, which has been their path to success all season. As great as Brunson is as an individual player, New York’s offense often bogs down into isolation basketball, especially late in games. Brunson’s so special that it still works, but that kind of offense isn’t efficient enough throughout entire games against the best teams. The Knicks are best when they’re moving the ball around, getting stops, and running in transition.
NY’s Defense Was Superb Without Brunson
With Brunson out of the lineup, suddenly seven of their eight rotation players are good-to-great defensive players. Miles McBride, the team’s best on-ball defender, replaced Brunson at point guard. This completely changed life on that end for Thibodeau, as Towns was their only weak defender. Without Brunson, Towns is much more protected because every other perimeter defender on the team gets over screens well. This means KAT isn’t forced into drop coverage he’s so poor at, and can instead focus on his defensive strengths.
Furthermore, when the Knicks decide to switch everything because they have four awesome defenders flanking Towns, they’re extremely effective. Weirdly, Towns holds up well in switches against everyone except super quick guards. Unfortunately, NY cannot weaponize this when Brunson is on the floor because he gets exposed in pick-and-roll or switches.
Regardless, when NY guards with that level of intensity, their overall defensive talent can take over. They had 13 steals and forced 18 turnovers against a good Kings offense. OG Anunoby himself had five takeaways and wrecked the game on that end. If they want any hope of upsetting the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Thunder, the Knicks need Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, McBride, Mitchell Robinson, and Josh Hart to be game-changing defenders.
Photo credit: © Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
The post Knicks Flash Winning Formula Without Brunson in All-Around Win appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.