Jalen Brunson is a DAWG.
Playing with pace, force, toughness, leadership and...SMARTS.
Orlando's puppies were tough and athletic, came within six; JR and JB combined where our Lead Dawg got the ball in his sweet spot, in the oft-analytics-maligned midrange where Brunson is MONEY. He duped his man, nailed a twelve footer, and...THE AND ONE. The old school three pointer.
Banchero torched us in the first half, and Anthony started off on fire, but in the second half we applied the TibsStifle.
A pleasure to not dread the third quarter secenario where we shit the bed.
I believe, least ways, I HOPE, Thibs is inching towards more minutes and responsibility for the second unit.
Mitchell [30], Hartenstein [18].
Randle [34], Toppin [14]
Barrett [38], Fournier [27], Reddish [14]
Brunson [33], Quickley [23], Rose [9]
I would expect to see Grimes get some minutes from Barrett, Fournier and Rose.
Barrett played some with the second unit, which was interesting.
Brunson probably would've played more, but he picked up some fouls.
I should like to see Our LITTLE THREE playing more in the 28-32 range.
Randle & Toppin both played with pace, energy and joy, combining for 35-12-5. Me likey. Thibs warming up to Obi's pace, and worth noting that his behind the back assist to a spriting RJ was facilitated by Toppin's active hands knocking the ball free and triggering the break.
RJ still dialing in his midrange jumper and hoops off of the bounce, but was 3-7 from trey and really pushing that ball North-South. Whatever his shortcomings, RJ has no rear view mirror, shitty starts don't upset him, he just keeps coming. He's committed to BEING A KNICK, and every game he gets a little closer to his dream...AND OURS.
However, it is what IQ did that was significant.
He was 0-5 from the field in 23 minutes, but six boards, EIGHT Assists, and committing on D. He should watch some film of that Jet Ski, Jose Alvarado on New Orleans. Pushes the pace like crazy and a mad dawg on D.
Some adversity is forthcoming, and how we come back will be signficant, but we came back in the second half from an ass whipping in Memphis, and no moral victories, but no quit either.
Milwaukee beckons, but we can't look past Charlotte. Hornets punked Hawks on Sunday, and guess who came up big time? DENNIS SMITH JR. Happy for the kid. And ex-Kentucky center Nick Richards came up with 20 in 20 on 9-9 with 11 boards, and Kelly Oubre was hitting his threes, 24 & 10 boards. Even without Ball and Rozier...dangerous.
PS: My GOD do I love what they've put together in New Orleans. Lakers got one ring out of AD, but think they miss Ball, Ingraham, Hart and all those UNPROTECTED #1 picks, eLfridge? They doubled down by trading more #1 picks + Kuzma + Caldwell-Pope for Westbrook. They could sure use the shooting they gave up.
PPS: Sometimes the best moves are the ones you DON'T MAKE. But, hey, that's me.
PPPS: No Carmelo Bandwagons?
Poll
