Knicks Adapt Offensive Strategy Amidst Struggles
A few weeks ago, after the Knicks faced two consecutive losses to the Hawks, their playoff hopes seemed bleak.
Mike Brown, sensing the urgency, approached the team with a fresh idea. He suggested adjusting their offensive strategy to involve Karl-Anthony Towns more in the play. This would require Jalen Brunson to take on an off-ball role at times, mixing up his usual style of play.
It’s not uncommon for star players to resist such changes, especially when they feel singled out for a team’s struggles. But Brunson didn’t hesitate.
Reflecting on the situation, he remarked that he wasn’t worried about any backlash. “What was there to discuss?” he stated. “When you’re down 2-1, it’s clear we need to try something new.”
He also noted, “1) I’m not a star. 2) Winning is my priority.”
As he exited the press conference, he added, “I’m not selfish, that’s why.”
This isn’t the first instance where Brunson has demonstrated his team-first mentality. Two years back, he signed a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension, even with financial flexibility remaining. This decision allowed the Knicks to maintain their roster depth.
The results of this strategic shift were surprising and overwhelmingly positive. The team hasn’t lost since, racking up seven consecutive victories with an average win margin of 26.4 points. Towns thrived in his newly designated playmaking role, collecting 66 assists this postseason—44 more than the previous year.
During this winning streak, the Knicks posted a remarkable offensive rating of 130.5 per 100 possessions.
Brunson himself excelled as well. He averaged 27.3 points while shooting 51.9% from the floor and 42.6% from beyond the arc. His efficiency improved too; for instance, he went from an average of 0.285 points per touch in the regular season to 0.324 during this streak, with touches per game decreasing from 91.3 to 84.1.
Coach Brown acknowledged the importance of positioning players effectively. “It’s crucial for our assistants to do that. With players who can pass well, like Draymond Green, Sabonis, and KAT, we leverage their strengths to uplift the whole team,” he shared.
Crucially, Brunson’s willingness to adapt has been instrumental in this success.
When Brown took over from Tom Thibodeau, some wondered how this might affect Brunson’s role. Having a long-standing relationship with Thibodeau, Brunson was uncertain initially. However, they found common ground during key moments in the season.
Brunson praised Brown’s approach, saying, “From day one, he’s kept an open dialogue. Decisions are made after discussions, whether the feedback is good or bad. We’re all pretty pleased with that.”
