LOS ANGELES – Karl Anthony Towns learns from one of the best Patrick Ewings.
“How is it dope? It's dope like hell,” the town said. “Blessing and I can say I'm on the bus with Patrick Ewing and go to the game.
“You always learn a bit here, then you ask him for that help, and he's in a situation, especially here in New York. So his wisdom is valuable and his game is clearly on the Hall of Fame level. So it's great to have an opportunity to sit with him and talk to him about basketball and what you can do to get better from my place.”
Ewing, who was hired as a coaching consultant for the Knicks before the season, attended both games in LA last week, a loss to the Lakers and Clippers, attending Sunday practice.
March 6th. nbae via Getty Images
He has been to several home and road contests during his first season of returning to the franchise.
“Patrick has all sorts of experience. I played in New York, so I understand New York and I think I won at a very high level,” Tom Thibodeau said. “Unfortunately he didn't win the championship, but he's a championship player. I saw what he did every day. It says a lot about him, to carry the franchise the way he did for 15 years.”
Jalen Brunson, who suffered a severe ankle sprain last week, left the team for the rest of his road trip to continue his recovery.
The Knicks will play three more games on the trip – Sacramento, Portland and Golden State.
The Knicks said they would provide an update on the injury around March 21st.
As the Knicks prepare to sign a contract while hoping to add toughness and leadership to veteran PJ Tucker, Miles McBride pushed back the idea that the team lost some of those traits from last season's gritty team.
“I think it's pretty difficult for the team right now,” McBride said. “Through the whole season, there were some great wins, some tough battle wins, and we stopped when we needed to stop. Anyone who adds that would be great.”
The Tucker deal was not yet official as of Sunday night.
The Knicks believe he will add an enforcer-type personality, but the 39-year-old hasn't played all season.
Assuming Tucker's 10-day deal begins on Monday before a tip-off against the King, he qualifies for five games.
The Knicks can then sign him another 10-day contract, waive him, or sign him for the rest of the season.
“Whenever I can get a vet, at some point I remember how fatal he was to corner three in the league,” Towns said.
