Potential for the Knicks

There’s something a bit unsettling about the Knicks and their potential. Jalen Brunson, in particular, seems to have another gear he can shift into.

So far, he’s been underwhelming in the Finals, shooting only 33.9 percent overall and a mere 23.5 percent from beyond the arc. That’s not great, right? And let’s not forget, he’s racked up eight turnovers.

In a nail-biter against the Spurs, where the Knicks won 105-104, Brunson notably missed three shots in a row while his team was trying to secure their lead. It was late in the fourth quarter, and they were already up 14-0.

He did end up sinking a key jumper to tie the game and followed it up with a free throw after snagging a pass from Victor Wembanyama, which ultimately gave the Knicks the lead again.

De’Aaron Fox commented on their efforts to contain Brunson, indicating that they were making it tough on him through both games. “You can make it hard, but talented players find a way to score,” Fox noted. Brunson, particularly in crunch time, showed his ability to deliver despite the pressure.

The Spurs were clearly keen on shutting down Brunson during the game. They blitzed him every time he tried to work through a screen and collapsed into the paint whenever he drove to the basket.

Physicality was part of their strategy; they pressed him full court and nudged him off his path, which the referees seemed to allow in many cases. At one point, Fox even shoved Brunson and tried to get into his head, but Brunson just met his gaze.

Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father and assistant coach, voiced his displeasure at the tactics directed toward his son. Jalen anticipates more of the same in the upcoming Game 3.

“Understanding their style will help us adjust,” Brunson said. “We need to be prepared to play cohesively for the entire 48 minutes, supporting each other through the ups and downs.”

Despite not hitting his stride, Brunson somehow managed to perform in clutch moments during both Game 1 and Game 2.

ESPN pointed out that he’s made history, becoming the first player since 1971 to score the decisive points in the final two minutes of consecutive games.

Karl-Anthony Towns mentioned seeing Brunson as “Captain Clutch,” emphasizing his critical role in winning outcomes. “You can’t mess with number 11,” he said, pointing to Brunson’s significance.

If the Knicks can achieve this much without Brunson firing on all cylinders, it’s intriguing to think about what they could become once he truly gets going.