Given...
Pre-Season
Given...
The Pistons [but hey, how about Ivey & Duren]
Given...Brunson's impact immediate and dramatic.
JB was 7-9, 2-4 from trey, 5 assists, and took three charges [two to the face]. Loved his aggression in getting to the rack. dRose only played six minutes, but looked lithe, and hitting his opening trey was a nice sign. Interesting how much Brunson's game reflects that of Rose.
More to the point, look at how RJ and Julius performed while basking in his penumbra.
Very efficient, focused AND relaxed when tasked with less ruddering responsibilities.
In 23 minutes, RJ had 21 points on 8-14, 3-5 from trey, 2-2 from the FT line, 5 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover. Played like a LEAD DAWG.
In 18 minutes, JR had 15 points on 6-10, 2-4 from trey, 6 rebounds, 4 assists,
ZERO TURNOVERS, though he had a couple of adventures. Still taking his pounding, oneONone posture out in the edges, but seemed way more releaxed and focused. Played like a SECONDARY OPTION DAWG.
Only pre-season, but Thibs played Obi 22 minutes, and while his trey was way off, still finished 4-9, and more tellingly, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Mitchell was a beast around the rim, with three blocks, but I particularly liked his steal and dribble to the hoop, and while he did not convert, made a drop step and turn move down low, as opposed to his usual lob and slam--eagerly awaiting a peek at his FT shooting and his first jumper. Hartenstein, nice pickup, Leon...with 7 boards, 2-3 from trey, an assist and 2 steals. Looked a little lost on D now and again, but fuck me, he is an athletic, authentic Stretch FIVE.
Thibs playing IQ & Deuce together was an interesting look. IQ with 13-3-3 and 3 steals. McBride still doesn't have his jumper dialed in, which is obviously the next step, but obviously, his DEFENSE has gotten Thibs' attention, with 6 fucking steals, 4 boards, 2 assists and a block.
Cam's opening three was uplifting, though his jumper is still way off, but before he got hurt, was engaged and D-ing up with a board an assist and a block. His ankle doesn't seem serious, but still made me wince.
Of the scrubs, Jalen Harris got a long look, a 6'5" guard who converted 17-of-36 treys as a Raptor, pre-suspension, and looks like he might stick, as might Arcidiacono, who look relaxed out there as a shooter and facilitator.
Anyway, ONLY PRE-SEASON, but Brunson is clearly a DAWG, and a LEAD DAWG at that.
Seeing the upside of his leadership.
People still moaning about whiffing on Donovan Mitchell, can suck my big toe and call me Moe. I'm sure he and Garland are going to be a motherfucker of a back court for the Cavs, but we have our Pride Of Puppies, and again, the continuity of having so many returning players, many of whom, such as RJ and Obi and IQ, that Ainge coveted, and who have CLEARLY put in a summer of work, are happyHappyHAPPY to be KNICKS.
ONLY PRE-SEASON, but a nice vibe, and for the moment, no THIRD QUARTER OF DOOM, Knick On Wood.
We shall see.
I think it's the beard.
Poll
