If you've been waiting for a blueprint game for what the rebuilding Knicks will look like this season, Friday's blowout win over the Bucks ticked all the boxes.
Karl-Anthony Towns was unstoppable offensively, scoring at the rim and beyond the 3-point arc.
Jalen Brunson had nine assists without committing a turnover.
Josh Hart, as usual, filled out various columns on the scoresheet.
Best of all, OGs Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have taken on the task of primarily guarding Milwaukee's two scoring leaders, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, significantly increasing their combined starting point average of approximately 59 points. They were held to a total of 43 points.
“I thought OG and Mikal really set the tone for our defense in a tough matchup,” coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game. “I'll tell you, OG is very unique in terms of strength, speed and anticipation. He has a second, third effort mentality. I think that goes a long way.
“A lot of the things he does for the team don't really get noticed. But I think his teammates think very highly of him. Every possession he does, every You can't measure small things.
The 7-foot Towns, who scored 27 of his game-high 32 points in the first half, repeatedly called Anunoby “special” and “one of the best defenders I've ever seen,” and went on to play four times in the NBA. He also mentioned what he did. Minnesota Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Brunson added that the 6-7 Anunoby, acquired from the Raptors last December, makes it look “very easy and effortless” to guard players both big and small.
“That's just pure talent that he has,” Brunson said. “The way he protects the ball, the way he plays in off-the-ball situations, he's a phenomenal player that we have. He's been great since he's been here.”
Anunoby added to his performance against Antetokounmpo, finishing the game with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocked shots in 32 minutes.
“I want him to do as well as he can because he's a great player,” Anunoby said of the two-time league MVP. “You know he’s going to score, just try to limit the scoring and stop him from getting as comfortable as he usually is.
“I've been playing long enough that I kind of know what he does. He's a great player. So try to make things as difficult as possible.”
The Knicks' next game will be a trip to Indiana on Sunday to face the Pacers, who were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last spring.
The Knicks have already defeated the Pacers once this season in their home opener last month, and Bridges primarily held All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton scoreless on 0-for-8 shooting, including seven 3-pointers. I am responsible for holding back.
In Friday's win, Lillard was held to 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting and tied the Knicks' record at 4-4.
“Mikal, no matter who is the primary ball handler, he works at it all game long and keeps coming, and I think that says a lot about him,” Thibodeau said. “and [Hart] He's going to hustle, pick up loose balls, pick up the pace and do what he has to do. That way, if everyone focuses on their strengths and defense, we can get good results.
“But we know we're short-handed at the moment, so we've got to play hard and rebound the ball. We've got to do it as a team, and then we can Good things will happen.”
