The last time Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle were together in a playoff series, they were on the same side, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. It was 2021, long before Brunson became an All-Star, and he saw just 10 minutes off the bench in a Game 7 loss to the Clippers that turned out to be the end of Carlisle’s tenure in Dallas. Asked about that experience after Saturday’s practice, Brunson said there are no hard feelings and it won’t factor into his preparation for the matchup with Indiana.
“In all honesty, I said this last time, you’re in the playoffs now, there is no extra motivation,” Brunson said. “It is what it is. The past is the past. Rick welcomed me into the league and helped me become the player [I am today] and helped me grow from Day 1. Coaches got to make decisions that better suit their teams. Whatever happened, happened, and we’re moving forward from there.”
Brunson’s game flourished after Jason Kidd replaced Carlisle with the Mavericks, enabling him to get a huge offer from the Knicks as a free agent in 2022. Carlisle also said there’s no point in focusing on the past and acknowledged that Brunson has become one of the league’s top players.
“Jalen Brunson is a guy you would never bet against,” Carlisle said. “You just don’t bet against that guy. I don’t know if anybody saw this coming, what he’s achieved for two years now, but if you know him and you know his character, you’re not surprised. You’re not shocked.”
There’s more from New York:
- Comments that Josh Hart made about Indiana in February are being revisited ahead of the Knicks-Pacers series, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Hart was critical of the Hoosier State on a “Roommates Show” podcast with Brunson, saying, “If I don’t have to play the Indiana Pacers, I’m not stepping foot in that state. I don’t want to be in Indiana for any All-Star break, for anything. I am not an Indiana guy.” Hart added that he enjoys a couple of Indianapolis food options, but otherwise called the state “bottom of the barrel.”
- Even though the Knicks were able to get past Philadelphia in round one, Hart said they’re not the same team without Julius Randle, relays Ian Begley of SNY. Randle has been out of action since separating his right shoulder in late January. “He’s an All-Star. He [averaged] 24-9-and-5 or whatever it is, so that play-making, shot making, is something that we’re missing,” Hart said. “It’s funny: when people talk about us they somehow forget the big void we have of 24-and-9 gone. It’s not like he’s out there with us 70-80 percent. He’s not out there. So that’s something that’s a big void that we knew was gonna be hard to fill; but his play-making, his shot making, his energy is something that we definitely miss.”
- One of the storylines of the upcoming series will be the presence of Obi Toppin, who was Leon Rose’s first draft pick after taking over as president of the Knicks, Botte notes in a separate story. Toppin was stuck behind Randle in New York, but he posted career-best numbers after being traded to Indiana last summer for a pair of second-round picks.
Brunson is Shaq at point guard
The difference between Brunson and Maxey is mental toughness
And, you know, skill
Knicks play better without Randle.
Wonder if they’d look into trading him and saying this is Brunson’s teams and we want to build around him as our guy. He’s gone from impact guy off the bench to starter to all star and I wouldn’t be surprised next year to see him establish himself as a top 10/15 player in the game.
Obviously the Knicks have been huge on getting Villanova players why not go after Mikal Bridges.
Brooklyn doesn’t have any first round picks this year while the Knicks have 2 and they can use future firsts.
Randle, 2 firsts and 2 seconds for Mikal Bridges
Brunson Hart Bridges OG Robinson
McBride DiVancenzo … … Hartenstein
Bridges works perfect as a sidekick to Brunson, and fits that 3 and D type. OG has to play bigger at PF but in Hart you have one of the best rebounding guards anyways I don’t think that’s an issue.
Brooklyn then play Cam at the 3 which I think suits him better with Randle the 4. Obviously Cam the 2 and Claxton the 5. You’d then have draft picks, future cap space with Ben Simmons deal expiring and a trade candidate in DFS.
Liked everything you said here except I think Brunson has already established himself as a top 10 player in the league this year…but maybe I’m saying that with bias as a Knicks fan….but I mean right now there’s nobody in the league I’d trade him for the way he’s playing in these current playoffs…maybe Jokic
Agree he’s top 10 but you wouldn’t trade him for Wemby? Luka? Shai, giannis, ant, Tatum?
Saying you wouldn’t trade Brunson for anyone in the league except “maybe” Jokic is insane.
The way he’s playing in these playoffs I said…who’s playing better right now maybe Anthony Edwards it’s debatable. He’s plying better than all those guys mentioned above hell Wemby not in the playoffs and Giannis bounced in the first round didn’t even play and Tatum is soft I’d never choose him over Brunson ever
Personally he’s not in my 10, in no order
Jokic Embiid Giannas Luka SGA LeBron Curry KD Tatum and Kawhi. Then you’ve got Ant Jimmy AD Booker and Ja all close to that group too
the nets are never gonna trade Mikal to the knicks lol how do people not understand this
Randle here Knicks could win it his yr. At least compete for East. Randle is a huge loss. But he’s not here. So it’s not about who can’t play. We will also miss Bogdanovic. He was suppose to lessen the blow of Randle. By giving us offense off the bench.
OG has never played as a Knick against Pacers this yr. So we are not same team they played. Knicks depth can pull this off. But Thibs has to use it 8-10 deep. Is what I’d like to see. Also like to see us win rebounding battle.
I want to trade Draymond for Randle
Dray brings the champ exp to New York
You bring the ‘in’ to sane.