PG: iHart in Monster Mode as Knicks Clinch Playoff Intensity Road Game

[cgmw]

Everyone will talk about Brunsons 42 pts and rightfully so but I want to point out his defense. He was all over the place. 4 steals and a block and his effort on that end was awesome all night.

I thought that was pretty noticable to get that level of commitment from your best player.

What his assist (low) and turnover (high) numbers tell me is that.. and people will hate this… a lot of the credit goes to Thibs for creating a system for Brunson to thrive as an iso scorer. Donte is slumping and the other 3 players think of themselves primarily as defenders/hustle players.

That kind of role simplicity is Thibs’ trademark, and I’m telling anyone who’ll listen that this team will be unstoppable for regular season games when Randle comes back because we’ll have 2 primary iso scorers and 3 primary hustle/defenders on the court for 40 mpg.

With Randle back, Brunson will score a little less but his assists will go way up and his turnovers way down. The only real questions are 1) health for playoffs and 2) will Randle show up for playoffs or will be retreat into his mental midget head that whithers under bright lights?

With the Herculean effort this team is showing right now, it’s hard to imagine Randle loafing it when he returns. I expect full effort for once.

In OG's first game back vs. the Sixers our offense was fluid, guys were moving and rotating the ball and JB facilitated more and had 9 assists. Interestingly, Hart had 10 assists which shows we're not wholly dependent on one facilitator, but it also speaks to their dynamic. The Nova guys familiarity with each other helps with knowing where to go on the floor when the other guy goes (spacing) and finding them for a pass as a result of that awareness.

I said right after the Sixers game that we'll be a more dangerous team when Brunson adjusts and facilitates more. With Randle back, it will be harder to double him. Brunson is a legit hero baller, but we'll be better the less hero ball is required to win. Brunson at 22 points and 10 assists is probably going to bring more wins than Brunson at 27 points and 5 assists.

Brunson’s return has allowed DDV to take a damn breath and regress to the mean for a minute. Donte has been out kicking his own coverage for a while now, and this slump was inevitable. Without his shot, the Knicks are a one-trick pony til Randle returns. To me the important thing is Brunson routinely beating blitzes and doubles, which actually gives me hope for the playoffs for once.

[Clyde_Style]

These were some big plays and shots when it mattered...

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[WaltFrazier]

42 points on 17/28 in 35 minutes

Is Brunson becoming a Top 10 player in the league?

I would say he already is Clyde-Style. Just doesn't get the props.

Also doesn't get the top 10 respect from refs

[Clyde_Style]

What his assist (low) and turnover (high) numbers tell me is that.. and people will hate this… a lot of the credit goes to Thibs for creating a system for Brunson to thrive as an iso scorer. Donte is slumping and the other 3 players think of themselves primarily as defenders/hustle players.

That kind of role simplicity is Thibs’ trademark, and I’m telling anyone who’ll listen that this team will be unstoppable for regular season games when Randle comes back because we’ll have 2 primary iso scorers and 3 primary hustle/defenders on the court for 40 mpg.

With Randle back, Brunson will score a little less but his assists will go way up and his turnovers way down. The only real questions are 1) health for playoffs and 2) will Randle show up for playoffs or will be retreat into his mental midget head that whithers under bright lights?

With the Herculean effort this team is showing right now, it’s hard to imagine Randle loafing it when he returns. I expect full effort for once.

In OG's first game back vs. the Sixers our offense was fluid, guys were moving and rotating the ball and JB facilitated more and had 9 assists. Interestingly, Hart had 10 assists which shows we're not wholly dependent on one facilitator, but it also speaks to their dynamic. The Nova guys familiarity with each other helps with knowing where to go on the floor when the other guy goes (spacing) and finding them for a pass as a result of that awareness.

I said right after the Sixers game that we'll be a more dangerous team when Brunson adjusts and facilitates more. With Randle back, it will be harder to double him. Brunson is a legit hero baller, but we'll be better the less hero ball is required to win. Brunson at 22 points and 10 assists is probably going to bring more wins than Brunson at 27 points and 5 assists.

Brunson’s return has allowed DDV to take a damn breath and regress to the mean for a minute. Donte has been out kicking his own coverage for a while now, and this slump was inevitable. Without his shot, the Knicks are a one-trick pony til Randle returns. To me the important thing is Brunson routinely beating blitzes and doubles, which actually gives me hope for the playoffs for once.

Donte's slide was overlapped by Hart's resurgence and I think Hart has carried some of the load Donte was carrying, but in a more diverse manner than just PPG.

A clear second option does matter for the playoffs, but when you look at a victory like last night then you can see the template for some matchups is less about a 1-2 scoring punch and sometimes more about a single alpha who is sometimes unstoppable combined with the rest of the scoring spread amongst players who are busting tail on defense. In the second half last night we had various guys scoring after getting stops on the other end and that was sufficient.

When you are holding teams under 100 points and even lower like some games recently, the emphasis on a second 20 PPG scorer can be lessened.

I still want a strong second option, but my thesis is the importance of that second scorer is still third in importance to a dominant defense with one alpha scorer.

[Galvationknicks]

What was the Detroit stuff going on the game thread? What is that a reference to?

[Context]

Word. After we all wandered in the basketball darkness collectively for so many years, there are so many aspects of this team and how it evolved over the past 4 years that are so satisfying

And the team can still make a move, has the assets to take another step.

I think I like best how the team has a player type they want and how well they've done in identifying and then acquiring those players

100%...
what do I love the most...I think that we finally have a complete all star who looks like he could end up being the best Knick player of all time. I love that hes smaller than most players - I love that he has the opportunity to consistenly remain as a top 10-15 player or more and I love that he's a point guard because thats all we've heard for DECADES Buzz
when will we get an all star point guard...

The biggest PITA for me as a Knicks fan was how relentlessly stupid this FO was for decades due to their complete disregard for the importance of the PG position. I won't even vomit out the list of names we've had at the position. We all know how bad it has been.

The only time they made it a priority in this century was when they got Marbury, but he was not what he was cracked up to be, just a talented guy with little ability to lead or impact a roster.

As a long-time Knicks fan and Clyde acolyte, this has been a grind.

Brunson makes all of that suffering go away.

His father Rick was put on this earth to produce a Knicks savior so bless his bald head.

"bless his bald head huh"
yeah...the writing is on the wall -except this time its the Brunson family CS

[KnixtapeH20]

I really enjoy watching Hartenstein and OG on the defensive end together.

Gona be FILTHY with Mitch, OG & Precious... add Duece n Divo

[Clyde_Style]

What was the Detroit stuff going on the game thread? What is that a reference to?

Bogie and Burks

[KnicksGod]

Jalen went from looking like he had a bad tear to badly tearing up the league. Corny but true. Dude is amazing.

[KnicksGod]

What was the Detroit stuff going on the game thread? What is that a reference to?

People taunting me by calling both clowns Detroit, and taking bribe money in order to do so. Granted “Detroit” made shots. These guys are not gonna do it though. We are stuck with them so we hope for the best.

[KnicksGod]

Morning Knick family...

Glad I caught last nights game. What a game! The chosen one is one of the best players in this league
this year and I think that will never change.

Sac wanted that win badly and we took the win. When two teams want to put it all on the floor- records and player ranks/ reputations go out the window. This was a game where a team makes a statement to the league.
I posted this on the first page last night but here is a close up. This picture to me is a symbol of how much of a winner Brunson is...
it's also very funny and I didnt know he was this coldblooded too

Read on Twitter

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He took it like a man though.

[Context]

Jalen went from looking like he had a bad tear to badly tearing up the league. Corny but true. Dude is amazing.

and he's a Knick

[TrueWarrior]

Donte’s issue to me is he is clearly rushing his shots. Not even looking at the basket or setting his feet on many of them.

That Donte’s Shooting Improvement article in the Atlantic by Katz came out before the home Warriors game last month (where Donte shot horribly and has ever since funnily enough). In it Donte talked about how watching Steph helped his shooting, and the main thing he said was that despite what he and most thought the lower body being set isnt as important as the upper body being square. How that’s a big reason Steph gets his shots off so fast.

Maybe that approach worked for a bit, but Donte is not Steph obviously. He does look like he needs to take another half second to set his feet, look at the rim, square up, etc. He’s just hoisting shots up there now. Hit the side of the backboard and had some airballs last night, which are becoming common for him.

People will say Julius coming back will help Donte and everyone else get better shots, reduce his minutes/load, and that’s true, but if you’re paying attention you should see that Donte is getting a lot of open looks too he’s missing that he used to splash. Many going in and out now, but straight bricks also. In the beginning of the season though he was hitting quick contested shots, not only open ones. Now he’s not close on them. Seems he is mainly falling back to earth more than anything.

With RJ and IQ gone, if Donte, OG, Bojan, and Alec are not going to start scoring more we’ll be relying on Jalen carrying the whole load along with a not 100% Julius (if he even comes back and can be effective). They got another month to get things in order again so we’ll see what happens.

[cgmw]

What was the Detroit stuff going on the game thread? What is that a reference to?

People taunting me by calling both clowns Detroit, and taking bribe money in order to do so. Granted “Detroit” made shots. These guys are not gonna do it though. We are stuck with them so we hope for the best.

“Stuck with them” for like 12 mpg at most. The occasional productive outburst from “Detroit” is a helluvalot more useful during a playoff run than a disgruntled Grimes who likely was headed toward 0 mpg.

[Clyde_Style]

What was the Detroit stuff going on the game thread? What is that a reference to?

People taunting me by calling both clowns Detroit, and taking bribe money in order to do so. Granted “Detroit” made shots. These guys are not gonna do it though. We are stuck with them so we hope for the best.

“Stuck with them” for like 12 mpg at most. The occasional productive outburst from “Detroit” is a helluvalot more useful during a playoff run than a disgruntled Grimes who likely was headed toward 0 mpg.

21 points and 8 boards last night from Detroit was key to winning so we do need their production even in spot minutes

[ScienceOfLosing]

Can't win with Brunson

We need her and Mark Cuban to go on a date and make the conversation into a comedy show.

Dumb and Dumber.

[KnixinSix]

Word. After we all wandered in the basketball darkness collectively for so many years, there are so many aspects of this team and how it evolved over the past 4 years that are so satisfying

And the team can still make a move, has the assets to take another step.

I think I like best how the team has a player type they want and how well they've done in identifying and then acquiring those players

If we fizzle out in the playoffs and/or Randle bombs after returning you can see easily NBA stars looking over here and saying DANG I want to play with THAT dude.

this position that we are in- is so satisfying...

Been a looooong time since we could say that

[cgmw]

Donte’s issue to me is he is clearly rushing his shots. Not even looking at the basket or setting his feet on many of them.

That Donte’s Shooting Improvement article in the Atlantic by Katz came out before the home Warriors game last month (where Donte shot horribly and has ever since funnily enough). In it Donte talked about how watching Steph helped his shooting, and the main thing he said was that despite what he and most thought the lower body being set isnt as important as the upper body being square. How that’s a big reason Steph gets his shots off so fast.

Maybe that approach worked for a bit, but Donte is not Steph obviously. He does look like he needs to take another half second to set his feet, look at the rim, square up, etc. He’s just hoisting shots up there now. Hit the side of the backboard and had some airballs last night, which are becoming common for him.

People will say Julius coming back will help Donte and everyone else get better shots, reduce his minutes/load, and that’s true, but if you’re paying attention you should see that Donte is getting a lot of open looks too he’s missing that he used to splash. Many going in and out now, but straight bricks also. In the beginning of the season though he was hitting quick contested shots too, not only open ones. Now he’s not close on them. Seems he is mainly falling back to earth more than anything.

With RJ and IQ gone, if Donte, OG, Bojan, and Alec are not going to start scoring more we’ll be relying on Jalen carrying the whole load along with a not 100% Julius (if he even comes back and can be effective). They got another month to get things in order again so we’ll see what happens.

When Randle and Mitch return we basically have a Thibodeau dream team:

A) Iso alpha 1
B) Iso alpha 2
C) Super Bullock (DDV)
D) Super Bullock on ‘roids (OG)
E) Jack of all hustle (Hart)
F) 48 mpg of interchangeable rim protectors

The only thing that would make it more peak Thibs would be if Deuce had 7 years experience and dribbled the air out of the ball until he had two feet in the paint every possession.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Missed the game but it sounds like ihart outplayed Sabonis. Ol sham going to have to get used to Mitch being his backup

sham being MIA after yet another great game by Ihart, he can't even enjoy the wins, it's such a good day.

Watch on YouTube

[BKlutch]

Best Knick guard since Clyde.

Best Knick team since the mid 90s (sorry Alan and Spree)

Absolutely most entertaining team since mid 90s, if you add up identity, tenacity, talent, cohesion and play style, depth. League style of play also a factor

Then you have the great subtext story, where Knicks gamble on Brunson being an emerging player and win huge, where he's a Knick kid grown up returning, to play for a defensive culture establishing coach, also a returning story, being part of the Riley\JVG tree.

TLDR - This team and this era is awesome

You nailed it my friend

Brunson was born to bring the Knicks a championship...And don't forget Precious being from Queens and Brunson playing with Hart and Donte on a 2 time National championship team. We need to enjoy ever minute of this that we can Buzz..

Word. After we all wandered in the basketball darkness collectively for so many years, there are so many aspects of this team and how it evolved over the past 4 years that are so satisfying

And the team can still make a move, has the assets to take another step.

I think I like best how the team has a player type they want and how well they've done in identifying and then acquiring those players

I'm so glad we didn't just try to buy a shiny new Big 3. I'd have given up basketball and started watching curling if we'd signed Flatso Irving and that prissy KD.

What I love most about this team is the kind of team that has been built, the way it has been built, and the style of play. Yeah, this is the kind of team I can love the most, and I'm as happy as I've been to be a fan since our last championship in '73.