Abu Dhabi will wave goodbye to the Knicks on Saturday after (hopefully) watching New York blast Philly on back-to-back exhibition matchups.
Coming off an easy-peasy victory on Thursday, the Knicks will
try to put the 76ers to the sword to kick their weekend off.
Here’s the latest from Coach Brown and a few other Knickerbockers, including Jalen ‘No-Front-Officer’ Brunson.
Mike Brown
On the team’s transition offense urgency:
“Think about especially early on after makes, how the ball went through and it bounced, bounced, bounced. And we walked over and picked it up and then we tried to throw it inbounds. As the game went along you saw some possessions where that thing went through, boom, got it out, and before you can blink we’re shooting a layup or a wide open three at the other end of the floor. Our pace starts when the ball goes through the net. On a make it has to be better every single possession. … We have enough guys where we can rotate guys. But you’ve got to leave it all out on the floor every single possession. We’ll get to a point where we can do that but right now we’re not there. That’s what training camp is about.”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On adapting to the Knicks’ new system:
“Obviously, all of us are adjusting. We’ve got some new stuff we’re adjusting to, offense, new defense and all in between. Everyone, including myself, is trying to find where we can be the most impactful at.”
On feeling like a Knick now:
“All of them are different experiences. I was just talking to Deuce [McBride] about that. I’m so now intertwined into the Knicks’ organization, sometimes you see the Timberwolves come up and it doesn’t — I feel like a Knick. I feel like it’s a whole new chapter. Blessed to have the book that’s been written so far. This chapter is an exciting one and I want to finish it off strong.”
On why the pressure in New York is worth it:
“I mean, it’s always worth it. I appreciate our organization and the fandom that comes with what we did last year. But what makes it worth it is seeing results for all the work you’ve put in since you were a boy, since you were young. You asked for this opportunity to be an NBA player, and to be an NBA player and have success as a team and individually for us is what really makes it worthwhile for us.
Things change. You have kids, and for your kids to be able to witness this kind of history and moments in life and sports history makes it worth it. For me, it’s my family, being able to have my father, my grandmother and whoever is out there be able to watch me play basketball in person, my Dominican family see something special in the city. It really brings a smile to my heart.”
On figuring out his new role on the team:
“I think for me, I’ve got a lot of experience playing both sides now. I’m still figuring all this out now for this year’s team. Forgive me, I’m trying to figure it out myself where I fit in and where I can be most effective still. What I can say is I have experience playing both positions. I think it’s going to be a little more, feeling more seamless.
Usually, you walk into a game, you know you’ll be the five today. You walk into a game, you know you’ll be the four today. I think for me, it’s going to be more of like I could be five for four minutes and then be four for two minutes, then go back to the five. So I think that’s going to be a little different for me, where I’m going to be so fluid on what my position is. I’m working on just making sure I’m ready for whatever the case may be with us, what I’m learning about our team and the way we want to play.”
On adapting to Brown’s system no matter the role:
“I’m going to do whatever is needed to win. That’s always what I wanted to do and how I work. So nothing shall change this year.”
On how he views fame and respect in NYC:
“Nah, it’s a blessing. I said it before. The greatest currency you can garner in New York is respect. To be respected by the fans and everyone in the city, it means a lot. But you’ve got a new year, a new slate and you’ve got to earn that respect again. That’s what I plan to do this year.”
Miles McBride
On last postseason’s disappointment:
“We left a lot on the table.”
On enjoying the offensive changes brought by Mike Brown:
“It’s been fun to create for myself and others.”
Jalen Brunson
On what stuck with him from the playoffs loss to Indiana:
“(First game?) I was going to say the entire Eastern Conference finals.”
On his role in front office decisions, including the firing of Tom Thibodeau:
“My entire thing was, before anything happens guys, my job is to go out there and be the best player I can be. And do my job on the court. Anything that happens outside the court, with the organization, with the team, when it happens, tell me. But I don’t want any part in having a say in it or anything. It’s not my job to say who deserves to come, who deserves to go. It’s not me.”
On distancing himself from management duties:
“It’s not my job. My job is to go out there and play basketball.”
On the new offensive system:
“At the end of the day, it’s still basketball. It’s all about different concepts, different philosophies and all that good stuff. But it’s pretty much – it’s very similar to anything in the past.”
On whether the team needed a change in offensive style:
“That’s the talk, and that’s what’s been said, that’s what’s been heard. But I think for us, with everything that’s brought to us as a team, we’re just attacking it the best way possible, to make it as successful as possible. That’s all we can really focus on.”
On team growth and early preseason takeaways:
“It’s still a lot growth to be had. I think the longer we play together, the more chemistry we have, the better we are on the floor together. So that’s what’s most important for us. Continue to get better, continue to not be satisfied. Even a game like (Thursday), everybody says it’s just preseason but it’s another stepping stone for us, just to see where we’re at.”
