When his beloved Pacers eliminated the Knicks in May, Reggie Miller posted a message to Jalen Brunson on social media that ended with, “You and your sons are healing together on the beautiful beaches of Cancun. Please enjoy!!'' he concluded.
But a lot has changed in the past five months. Specifically, and most importantly, New York's roster has changed.
Despite Indiana reaching the conference finals last season, Miller believes the resurgent Knicks are the biggest threat to defeating the defending champion Celtics.
“For me, the Knicks and Boston are the two clear-cut top teams in the East,” said Miller, a Hall of Famer and TNT analyst.
Certainly it's not a controversial opinion.
In the annual NBA GM poll released last week, 43 percent of executives ranked the Knicks second in the East, and 97 percent voted for the Celtics as the champions.
No GM ranked the Pacers in the top three, as they basically had a solid roster.
Miller agreed that Boston is still the favorite, but said he clearly likes New York's offseason moves.
“Go get Mikal Bridges. He hasn't missed a game since he was in AAU in sixth grade and he's a 3-and-D type of player. And go get him.” [Karl-Anthony Towns,] Who will create more space? [for Brunson]'' Miller said. “Think about this: Because of his shooting power and ability to pull big shots off the rim, he's going to create space for Jalen Brunson.” Think about the space that was and he was still giving you 29 [points] game. Think about the space he can manipulate with a high & side screen & roll with KAT? ”
Miller's excitement about Brunson's space was justified in the preseason, with the point guard averaging 20 points in just 21 minutes on 53 percent shooting in three games.
Meanwhile, Towns has struggled with his 3-point shooting (just 22 percent in three preseason games) and remains a defensive concern, but opponents can't afford to leave him open on the perimeter. I understand.
Officials said solving Brunson's paint jam was a big factor in the acquisition of Towns, but Robinson's health concerns added urgency.
It's a similar setup to Boston's, with long-range sniper Kristaps Porzingis at center.
The Knicks also have top wing defenders in Bridges and OG Anunoby to counter Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“We're not too worried about expectations or that part,” Brunson said. “That's different. It's completely different. [team]but I think it's good for us, because we're relearning, re-coaching, and understanding more and more what we have to do every day. Once the season starts, it's back to square one, and no matter what team you're on or how much chemistry you had the year before, it's all over again. ”
It's no coincidence that the Knicks' season opener is Tuesday in Boston, and Miller will be on TNT.
The Celtics are scheduled to receive their championship rings before tipoff at 7:30 p.m., but Knicks players will be forced to witness the ceremony or choose to ignore it, depending on how they feel. Become.
Either way, I hope that feeling motivates you.
“If you're a Knick, you got to see them get their rings. You got to hear the congratulations,” Miller said. “And you just retooled. And you said you're coming for them. And it's opening night. … It's going to be a fun trip to watch these two teams battle in the East.” Dew.”
