CLEVELAND
One of the key developments that Mike Brown was meant to bring to the Knicks was a more dynamic offense.
LeBron James, who clearly respects Brown’s insights, praised these changes recently on the “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash. He pointed out that defenses can no longer just focus on a few predictable actions. “Over the past few years in New York, we found a good rhythm in their play. You could almost anticipate where the ball would go,” he noted.
However, this postseason, the Knicks seem to have become even less predictable.
Following their success against the Hawks in the first round, new adjustments had a surprisingly positive impact.
Karl-Anthony Towns, positioned at the elbow, has helped free Jalen Brunson to create open shots, allowing teammates to move and set screens effectively. James elaborated, saying the offensive strategy has changed significantly from being overly reliant on Brunson’s pick-and-roll and isolation plays. “Now, having KAT as the central point at the elbow allows JB to operate off-ball and combine with other actions. If the defense shifts, things can open up quickly,” he explained.
Yet, this new scheme has thrown a bit of chaos into Towns’ role in the offense.
Just when it looked like everything was falling into place, adjustments were necessary again.
During the initial games of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers—who have a strong frontcourt with Mobley and Allen—Towns’ effectiveness as a central hub diminished.
By the fourth quarter of Game 1, a moment of comeback for the Knicks, they deviated from the Towns-centered strategy and reverted to Brunson running the offense. This, eventually, led to a decisive win against the Cavs.
In Game 2, the Cavaliers responded by aggressively double-teaming Brunson, which allowed him to step up as the main facilitator—he ended the game with a record 14 assists for a playoff match.
This season, Towns has shifted from playing alongside Brunson to having the ball early in possessions and back again to a supporting role. How does he feel about it?
“I’ve always said I’ll make sacrifices and do whatever it takes for wins,” Towns shared. “It’s a blessing that we can utilize various methods to get victories. We’re winning, and there’s nothing to complain about.”
Now, the Knicks have different offensive strategies at their disposal, adapting based on the situation.
Mikal Bridges expressed confidence in the team’s versatility, noting that everyone is prepared to adjust and react during games.
Currently, the Cavaliers seem to struggle in containing Brunson, relying on the size of Mobley and Allen for their defensive strength.
It makes sense to isolate Brunson and let the Cavaliers press, but perhaps there will be a moment soon—whether in this series or a potential Finals—when Towns will need to become a focal point for the offense once more.
