Sports media’s number one Knicks fan found out on Wednesday night’s TNT broadcast.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins is rooting for the Knicks the same way he played for them, but instead of focusing on the Knicks’ history, analyst Reggie Miller in Game 2 told Jalen -Didn’t appreciate the focus on Brunson’s status.
“Are we going to make this whole game about Reggie Miller? Or is it just a big-bodied Brunson coming back?” Perkins tweeted. “Jesus Christ.”
TNT added Miller to its broadcast team for Wednesday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden, noting the bitter rivalry with the Knicks dating back to Miller’s playing days.
The regular broadcast duo of Brian Anderson and Stan Van Gundy were clearly leaning into it to add some flavor to the game, but Brunson’s injury made things tricky.
The ability of the Knicks’ best player to return was a major storyline, as it would have significant implications for both Game 2 and the rest of the series.
However, there are some tricky elements to play.
With Brunson missing the entire second quarter, the game is still on and the broadcast crew still has to call the fast-paced game happening in front of them.
The lack of an update on the injury until late in the second quarter also affects whether the Crew can fully return to work on the injury, as the rest remains speculation.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the NBA playoffs
That being said, there is a delicate balance in this act, and focusing on Miller’s playing days, which ended in 2004-2005, probably isn’t the best approach.
FS1’s Nick Wright agreed with Perkins.
“Maybe a little less Reggie/highlights from decades ago and a little more detail about where/how/when Brunson hurt his leg??” Wright posted. “Why isn’t this the entire broadcast now??”
The series moves to Indianapolis for Game 3, with the Knicks leading the series 2-0.
