Knicks guard Jalen Brunson‘s three-point shot is the key to New York’s ability to win games, writes the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. Overall, Brunson is shooting a career-best 46.0% on 6.8 attempts per night from beyond the arc. When the Knicks win, Brunson shoots 57.4% from deep, but when they lose, he shoots just 27.4%.
Bondy breaks down what Brunson’s threes have looked like this season in victories and defeats. Generally, entering Thursday, Brunson was getting more open looks in wins than in losses, including 37% of his threes in wins being “wide open” (compared to 32% in losses).
Like clockwork, Brunson had a historic night from downtown in a 17-point victory against the Suns on Friday. Brunson scored a career-high 50 points in the win, 35 of which came in the second half, where he shot 12-for-12 from the floor and 8-for-8 from three-point range in the period.
Brunson’s overall 9-for-9 performance from three tied the NBA record for the most three-point attempts in a game without a miss (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Fred Katz). Latrell Sprewell did it for the Knicks in 2003.
We have more from the Knicks:
- Immanuel Quickley returned from a brief injury absence on Dec. 13, playing just 18 minutes against Utah as Tom Thibodeau continues to navigate his guard rotation. He wasn’t concerned about the lack of minutes, writes Bondy. “Just whatever minutes you get, go out there and be effective,” Quickley said. “Whatever minutes I get — whether 15, 20, 25. I played 55 [in an overtime game] last season. Whatever minutes I get, go out there and help the team win.“
- The Knicks are happy to have veteran big man Taj Gibson back in the fold after signing him on Friday. Gibson, 38, spent three seasons with the Knicks before joining the Wizards last year. With Mitchell Robinson sidelined due to injury, it made sense for Gibson to come back, writes Newsday’s Steve Popper. Gibson also spoke about his future upon arriving with the Knicks. “I’m still considering [coaching],” Gibson said. “But it has to be the right situation. I want to be somewhere where I can learn, brighten my future. This is a bright spot for me, being around the coaching staff who I can learn from. Just top to bottom, this is just family for me.“
- After a sluggish start to the season that saw him shoot just 31.6% from the field and average 16.5 points per game, Julius Randle has improved his efficiency and turned his season around, writes Bondy in a separate story. Randle’s stated goal before the season was to become a more efficient player, which didn’t seem likely after his start to the year, but he’s shooting 60.0% from the floor and 41.2% from three over the last eight games while averaging 28.0 PPG. “Just playing to my strengths and understanding spots on the court where I can get high-percentage shots where I can either get a high-percentage shot or they double me and I can kick out and play-make for my teammates,” Randle said. “So I understand who I am as a player. While I can shoot the ball and make a ton of 3s, I understand who I am as a player, what my strengths are.“
Imo Randle is still finding his place. Cause when they shut him down. With double teams and good team D. He still gets frustrated. And just makes bad decisions.
Truth is he is a worker. He outworks guys. That’s how he gets his points. He keeps coming, Randle is a load for anyone. Needs to control his emotions. Just win the play. Even it it’s with a pass.
I know a lot of you think. DeM brings more Iso ball. So how is he going to mesh with these guys. You need to understand this is Thibs offense. Iso ball …. He wants double teams. So you can pass out of it. Just look for open look now. His iso ball creates open looks. At least that is the theory behind it.
Grimes avg 6 shots a gm, 9 shots a gm last yr in 29 mins. DeM has avg 18 shots last three yrs. Cause Bulls don’t win unless he scores. Not going to be that way in NY. We got 4 guys who can go for 20. So it don’t matter who they are. Like Thibs always says. The Game will tell you what to do. You need to be paying attention.
DeM can get 14 shots. Who ever is on takes the most. Simple right. Brunson avgs 18 shots, most on Knicks. Imo your PG should not be taking the most shots. His priority should be ast. He handles the ball so much. He can always get his shot.
No.
Hey, I can appreciate your takes and your no-nonsense opinions on the Knicks. It’s clear you watch the games and know ball.
But Derozan doesn’t make this team a contender for a chip this year. Maybe he helps close out a couple extra playoff wins. Nice, sure. But to me It’s not enough of an upgrade to trade young guys or valuable picks for an old half season rental. Demar can still play no doubt, but he’s not improving the D or 3-pt shooting, what we need more. And he’s another guard and there’s already a logjam as is and I just don’t see the fit. He’s gonna wanna get one last payday…it shouldn’t be from us.
Quickley is young and on a great path, if the right trade is there at some point ok, but why force a trade just to win a couple extra playoff games max. It could even be a step back bc IQ is so important from 3 and on D and fuels the second unit. A reason we win games. Who says we can’t re-sign him to be our even better version of Lou Williams, a player he idolizes btw.
I guess my point is no reason to do something just to do something. The Knicks are a solid, competitive clear playoff team. For the 3rd time in 4 years, after decades of mostly misery. All-star caliber guys, hard workers, and youth. I’m enjoying this.
If there’s no true needle-moving upgrade this year or in the off-season I think it’s fine to pay IQ and keep letting these young dudes improve and gel and and wait for a better opportunity to upgrade the roster. He’s too important and not even at his peak yet. Which I’m guessing means he’ll always be tradeable too.
You see that’s where we differ. I don’t even think about a chip. What chocolate chip ??
You can’t see DeM makes us better. That’s on you. You don’t talk chip till you get to East Finals. DeM can get us there. Knicks as a team can take the next step. He’s a major step in right direction. We can still add another player. Even with DeM. That’s how you build. Teams win not stars. Stars make a difference when it’s a good mix.
I don’t necessarily want a star, unless the right situation aligns. I prefer to gradually improve the roster and let the young guys keep building chemistry with JR and JB, and not make major moves for a guy of this age and position. Look it all depends on what is traded. For IQ or RJ+ whatever, no thanks personally. Because Derozan is 34 and likely a rental. So that’s a win-now move that makes us worse long term, maybe even short term bc of negative defensive impact. The trade targets should be athletic wings and 3 and D types. Knicks need more length.
ECF would be fun hell yeah but it should be all about building a contender with a multiple year competing window. To get past Bucks or Celtics will take much more. If Demar really wants to be a Knick then let’s just wait til the offseason
I agree. DeRozan is also clutch and makes free throws. Is a better fit at SF than anyone else we have. Lastly, his salary is $28 million in- line with Brunson and Randle versus Ingraham at $34 million. Zach Lavine is at $40 million. You don’t want to mess up and cause dissension by bringing someone in making mega bucks unless it’s a top 5 player like Embid or Giannis. Kuzma also be a good fit as a long SF 6’9 and “only” making $25 million.
Top ast guys in NBA
link to nba.com
Brunson is #21 (6 ast), Randle is #25 (5.4 ast), DeM is #27 (5.3 ast).
Brunson should be over 8 ast a gm. DeM helps us here too.
Knicks need to add a third star, Brunson is awesome, Randle always battles away but RJ Barrett just isn’t stepping up to the mark.
Which always has me circling back to Brandon Ingram and having RJ link up with his college teammate Zion Williamson.
RJ Barrett, Evan Fouriner, Dallas’s 2024 first (top10 protected) and 2 2025 seconds for Brandon Ingram and EJ Liddell
Brunson DiVancenzo Ingram Randle Robinson
IQ Grimes Hart Hartenstein
Ingram I think is more consistent, more of a scoring threat, better defensively when he wants to be, better play maker and overall is a better fit at the 3. As for NOLA, RJ I think is best suited playing the 2, with Trey Murphy when he returns at the 3 spot, and obviously Zion the 4. Off the bench Hawkins Marshall and Herb back them up.
On top of that for the Pels you get a first, 2 seconds and cap space to spend money on
Not bad. Don’t like the draft pick in the deal, but it all makes sense.