So that is what an actual level guard seems like.
Jalen Brunson was spectacular in his Knicks debut Tuesday, flashing the playmaking and organizing expertise which have lengthy eluded this franchise.
It was solely 20 minutes in a 117-96 preseason victory over the Pistons, however the outcomes have been nothing however encouraging for Brunson. It began twenty seconds after tipoff with a drive and floater. It included 16 factors on 7-for-9 taking pictures with 5 assists, a nifty reverse lay-up and, maybe most notable given the circumstances of a meaningless preseason recreation, two expenses drawn.
“Two charges and an elbow to the face,” Brunson added. “I’ll say three charges.”
Brunson had the offense buzzing. When he was subbed out for the ultimate time Tuesday, the Knicks had 84 factors with eight minutes remaining within the third quarter.
“I think all aspects,” coach Tom Thibodeau stated of Brunson’s affect. “I think the competitiveness, the leadership, the ability to play for the team, provide whatever the team needs. The ability to control and manage the game, you see that every day. I always say, the best leadership that you can have are the things that you do each and every day. And he’s tremendous. From the moment he signed, just being in the gym every day. He’s not a ‘rah rah’ type guy. He just does all the right things and when he gets out there, he’s ready to execute.”
Brunson’s arrival on a four-year, $104 million contract is the perfect motive to consider the Knicks will dramatically enhance from final season’s dip to eleventh in East. The remainder of the roster stays largely the identical, with RJ Barrett (21 factors on Tuesday) and Julius Randle (15 factors) anticipated to shoulder a heavy load.
But the group has lacked a dependable level guard. The Kemba Walker experiment was a failure final season. Elfrid Payton was sturdy sufficient defensively two years in the past, however fully misplaced confidence in his taking pictures and devolved into unplayable. You’d must journey again a lot additional – all the best way to Mark Jackson in 1989 – to seek out an All-Star Knicks level guard.
Of course, it’s untimely to anoint Brunson something however a hopeful who appeared the half in preseason recreation No. 1.
REDDISH SETBACK
Cam Reddish’s alternative was minimize brief due to a sprained ankle.
The younger wing suffered the harm after logging 11 minutes Tuesday, lacking 5 of his six shot makes an attempt. It’s unclear how the sprain occurred nevertheless it appeared to occur after he made contact with a referee close to the sideline.
“It looked like something happened down there, it was like a transition play,” stated Thibodeau, including that Reddish might be re-evaluated Wednesday morning. “So I don’t know exactly what transpired.”
Reddish would seemingly be a 3rd stringer in Thibodeau’s rotation however a foot harm to Quentin Grimes moved him to the second unit.
Reddish was acquired final season for a first-round decide however with no clear path to taking part in time.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com