In the Big Apple they are celebrating. The Knicks are not only one of the fittest teams in the entire NBA – with a record of 8-2 in the last ten games – but they are also They have in Jalen Brunson a point guard who already rubs shoulders with the greatest of his position.
The New York franchise is fifth in the Eastern Conference (26-17) behind the three giants, Celtics, Bucks and 76ers, and Donovan Mitchell’s Cavaliers, who are also experiencing a great month of December. After making a move a couple of weeks ago and getting rid of Quickley and Barret to get AND Anunoby via trade, time begins to prove the team right and the gearing of Tom Thibodeau does not cease in its efforts to improve as the games progress
Madison’s ‘X’ factor
If the good work of New York in recent days can be explained by anything, it is Jalen Brunson. The player trained at Villanova is exhibiting his best level since his arrival to the NBA in 2018 and seems to be reaching a level of maturity and explosion in his game that matches wonderfully with what these Knicks need.
Brunson is making a name for himself under the New York spotlight / AGENCIES
The point guard is the twelfth highest scorer in the league with 26.5 points per game and the fifteenth best in assists, with 6.5 per contest, numbers to which must be added an excellent success in three-point shots (42% in 6.7 attempts on average ) which is already common in it. Brunson dominates the ball like a ‘yo-yo’ and is a specialist in pick and roll plays, where he punishes defenders with an infinite number of variations: shot after block or after dribble, penetration on the weak side or pass to the opposite corner are the main options for a player who has accustomed us to deciding well in practically all offensive situations.
Jalen is part of that select club of essential players for their teams and on whom a large part of the aspirations fall. Something similar to what happens with Luka Doncic in Mavericks, Brunson conditions Thibodeau’s ecosystem and raises the level of all his teammates on the court. Julius Randle and Anunoby are the biggest beneficiaries along with others like Harteinstein and Divincenzo.
One of the best duos?
‘JB’ has been unleashed in the last four games, scoring 38, 41, and twice thirty points, performances that are also explained thanks to the good performance of the always questioned Julius Randle, a man who lives permanently in the spotlight and which the general public tends to undervalue. The power forward signed a magnificent triple double in the last match against Toronto (10-10-16) and seems to have assumed, once and for all, a secondary role behind Brunson in which he must take fewer shots. It may not be what he wants, but the metrics indicate that this duo works better when ‘the smallest’ takes on a more leading role.
Randle has assisted Jalen Brunson 31 times for three-pointers, showcasing their solid chemistry. Here Randle penetrates the middle, and Brunson “drifts” into Randle’s line of vision. Brunson, while not a classic “movement” shooter, excels at finding open spaces. pic.twitter.com/B1ezyzajkD
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSkool) January 19, 2024
The understanding between both is total. Jalen, with 11.8, is the third best scorer in the league as a ball handler in pick-and-roll situations. while Randle evolves notably in more ‘tangible’ aspects such as shot selection or defense, a section in which he was excellent again against the Raptors: as the main defender, he left Toronto with 0/7 in field goals and caused 3 losses to the rival star, Scottie Barnes.
By name, it may not be the most attractive duo in the NBA, but the numbers and feelings don’t lie. “We fly when we are together” Brunson said in the postgame when asked about his chemistry with Randle. The arrival of OG Anunoby has also catapulted the possibilities of these Knicks, one of the best ‘3 and D’ in the competition and a real machine in efficiency on the court.
With the elastic ‘Knickerbocker’, the Brit is hitting 38.2% of his long shots and has a balance of 9 wins and only 2 losses. “He is an atypical combination of strength, speed, agility, anticipation and revulsion in decisive moments. He can make two or three efforts in a play and continue at full strength. He never abandons a play” were the praise of his coach after the last victory.
It is difficult to think of high levels right now with teams like Boston or Bucks involved, but these Knicks are one more transfer away from moving to the next level and stop being a simple procedure in the playoffs for rivals and become a real pain in the ass. grinders.
2024-01-22 08:43:20
#Brunson #effect #puts #Knicks #map
