Jalen Brunson continues to earn the respect of Draymond Green, but the Warriors star still doesn’t think this Knicks team (with some version of Brunson as the centerpiece) can win a title.
Green initially thought the Knicks couldn’t stop Joel Embiid in the first round against the 76ers, but before the Knicks opened the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pacers at the Garden on Monday, he said: Stated. He doubled down on his criticism of Branson. That is if they keep moving forward.
Green: “I don’t hate the Knicks” said during a clip from “The Draymond Green Show.” It was posted on YouTube on Saturday. But I’m honest and have no delusions. And I said Jalen Brunson dominating the ball isn’t going to take you to the promised land.
“I never said you couldn’t win the first round series, because honestly, I think you guys should easily win the second round series. So I never said that.” I said I can’t go to the Promised Land. And frankly, I don’t think I can do it yet.”
Green, a 34-year-old forward who averaged 8.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Warriors this season, admitted he was impressed with Brunson’s rebounding performance after struggling early in the 76ers series.
He went 16-for-55 in Games 1 and 2, both games the Knicks still won, and then scored at least 39 points in four consecutive games, including Thursday’s series-clinching victory. That included 41 points in the game.
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That’s what Green wanted to see, especially from an “up-and-coming guy” who is “taking the next step in his career.”
“It’s about how you bounce back when you have a bad game in the playoffs,” Green said on the show. [have] Did it before. ”
Still, Green made his point throughout his latest show that Brunson’s “ball dominance” will prevent the Knicks from winning their first title since 1973. I repeated it many times.
“The Knicks need a version of Brunson who’s going to ‘share the ball and get down,’ get to his spot and set up shots for other players,” Green said.
And that, in his eyes, will bring out the best in the Knicks, both against the Pacers and in future games.
