Gavin Schall here, the host of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Knicks’ Dynamic Duo Shines in Victory Over Suns
Nov 20, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates after making a three pointer during the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks showcased their offensive prowess with a commanding 138-122 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns emerged as the formidable 1A and 1B duo, leading the charge with 70 points combined for the game. This performance highlighted the potential of the Knicks’ recent trade for Towns, as both players demonstrated their offensive capabilities.
Brunson and Towns: A Formidable Pairing
Brunson’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, continuing his hot streak from previous games. He opened the game with three consecutive three-pointers, extending his impressive shooting run in the Suns’ arena. Despite facing tough defense, including hard doubles, Brunson managed to score 36 points and dish out 10 assists. His ability to navigate through defensive pressure and still deliver such a performance underscores his value to the team.
Towns complemented Brunson’s efforts with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and a strong shooting performance. His versatility on offense, whether through pick-and-rolls or pick-and-pops, was on full display. The duo’s synergy was evident, and even on a night where the Knicks’ defense had lapses, their offensive firepower was enough to secure a comfortable win.
First Quarter Fireworks
The Knicks’ first quarter was a masterclass in offensive execution. They shot an astounding 72.7% from beyond the arc and 78% overall, with Brunson and Towns leading the charge. The ball movement was crisp, resulting in 14 assists in the quarter alone. This level of play set the tone for the game and demonstrated the team’s potential when firing on all cylinders.
However, maintaining this level of play throughout the game remains a challenge. The Knicks need to sustain their ball movement and avoid reverting to isolation plays, which can disrupt their offensive rhythm. Consistency in this area will be crucial as they aim to contend with the league’s best.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ performance, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
- The impact of Josh Hart’s improved shooting on the Knicks’ offense
- Defensive challenges and adjustments against the Suns
- The role of Mikhail Bridges in the Knicks’ transition game
- Injury updates on Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa
- Jamal Crawford’s debut as a broadcaster and his potential as Clyde Frazier’s successor
A refrain I’ve increasingly heard from casuals, like the talking heads on the NBA’s biggest broadcast partners, is that the league is too homogenous these days, that every team just goes out there and chucks up threes. Every game is the same.
Leaving aside the shortsightedness of famous, influential media analysts dumping on their own product, it’s a common enough complaint that I felt an urge to investigate. My eyeballs tell me the league’s never been more diverse and fun, thanks largely to the absurd wealth of stars today with skill sets as bespoke as their draft night suits. Jokic’s Nuggets look nothing like Tatum’s Celtics look nothing like Brunson’s Knicks, and to suggest otherwise is willful ignorance.
As I wrote about for Basketball Poetry yesterday, the current top five offenses are Boston, Cleveland, New York, the Lakers, and Dallas. Those five teams rank first, 14th, 17th, 24th, and 21st, respectively, in share of shots that are triples. You certainly don’t need to launch a million threes relative to your peers to score the basketball successfully.
Of course, that’s a rather superficial analysis. Regardless of rank, what if the absolute numbers are all getting closer together? That would represent a growing sameness.
I looked at shot data from this season, a decade ago, and 20 years ago to see how much the share of three-pointers had changed.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Stat Owen Phillips of The F5 looks at how often centers defend guards, how often perimeter players are involuntarily guarded by centers (aka the Tony Allen effect), and much more in his analytical newsletter.
Analysis Jared Dubin of Last Night, In Basketball discusses something related: what kind of players are guarding point guards these days?
Must Read Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic talks about the NBA’s increasing difficulty for defensive-minded, older players, but the real story is that Draymond Green claims to have started lifting just four years ago.
Analysis Knicks’ Jalen Brunson dismisses the “scared to shoot narrative”, asserting confidence in his playmaking abilities to silence critics. (Posting and Toasting)
Roster On the heels of their big win over Phoenix, it’s clear the team needs some help on defense. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
The Randomness Of Fantasy Basketball On A Wednesday In The NBA
Nov 20, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Top Five Fantasy Takeaways from Wednesday’s Games
1. Paul George’s Knee Injury Concerns
Paul George’s knee hyperextension during the 76ers vs. Grizzlies game is a significant concern for fantasy managers. While initial reports suggest no structural damage, his availability in the coming games is uncertain. This situation could open up opportunities for other players on the 76ers to step up, making it crucial to monitor updates closely.
2. Unpredictable Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Game
The Pelicans vs. Cavaliers matchup was a bizarre affair, with unexpected lineups and performances. Elfrid Payton started for the Pelicans, and Jaylon Tyson shone for the Cavs, but these anomalies are unlikely to have long-term fantasy implications. Managers should view this game as an outlier and avoid making hasty roster changes based on these performances.
3. Pacers’ Struggles and Tyrese Haliburton’s Slump
The Pacers are facing challenges, particularly with Tyrese Haliburton’s shooting woes. His road performance has been notably poor, possibly due to lingering back issues. Despite this, Haliburton’s track record suggests a turnaround is likely, making him a prime buy-low candidate for managers willing to take a risk on his recovery.
Click the button below to see how Norman Powell’s injury could open up opportunities for the Clippers, and a top 50 player returns to action.
BBQ Pelican(s): Jalen Brunson And The New York Knicks TORCH New Orleans JALEN BRUNSON STAND UP!!!! The Knicks captain had his best game of the season on a night where the rest of the team struggled and carried them to a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Join hosts Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe for a recap of Brunson’s electric 3rd quarter, the Knicks bench continuing to struggle on offense, Josh Hart’s big comeback and so much more! Don’t miss this engaging analysis of the Knicks’ evolving strategy and their path to success. Tune in for expert insights and in-depth discussions on the team’s journey.
Karl-Anthony Towns Decimates the Timberwolves in His Return To Minnesota As the Knicks Cruise To a W
Alex and Gavin break down the first matchup between the Knicks and Timberwolves in the Karl-Anthony Towns era, as KAT dominated his former team in his old arena. Plus, Mikal Bridges had his best all-around game as a Knick, the defense played as well as it has all season, Julius Randle was more than a little grumpy at the Knicks and his former teammates, and much more on today’s show!
Can Karl-Anthony Towns And The Knicks Knock Off Some Old Friends? With Locked On Wolves Ben Beecken
he New York Knicks are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a highly anticipated matchup, with Karl-Anthony Towns’ transition to the Knicks taking center stage.
The boys are joined by Locked On Wolves Host Ben Beecken, to explore Julius Randle not yet being embraced in Minnesota, and Donte DiVincenzo’s ice-cold start before diving into the most surprising parts of Karl-Anthony Towns’ success with the Knicks.
