About 5 minutes into Tuesday’s win over the Orlando Magic, Knicks middle Karl-Anthony Cities set a decide for Jalen Brunson close to the half-court brand.
As Magic defender Anthony Black adopted the ball-handling Brunson, an uncovered Cities rolled to the basket, collected a bounce go and soared to the basket for a simple one-handed dunk.
Within the second quarter, Cities backed down Magic middle Moritz Wagner, paused and shrugged towards an official after contact went uncalled, then rotated and made a 14-footer.
GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE BUT A VERY SPECIAL ONE TO KARL ANTHONY TOWNS!
BUDDY PLAYING WITH THAT NEW YORK ENERGY! YOU GOT TO LOVE IT! pic.twitter.com/poSlgLsm5r
And within the waning seconds of the third quarter, the 7-foot Cities drilled a 3-pointer that served as a dagger within the Knicks’ 121-106 win over Orlando and its NBA-best protection.
Whereas ho-hum in isolation, these performs collectively served as a illustration of how the uniquely gifted Cities has elevated the Knicks’ high-powered offense.
Cities entered Thursday’s tilt with the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Sq. Backyard averaging 25.1 factors on 52.8% capturing and an NBA-best 13.1 rebounds per sport. It’s been a near-seamless transition for a participant the Knicks acquired lower than three weeks earlier than the beginning of the common season.
“It’s these guys in the locker room,” Cities, 29, mentioned Tuesday when requested how he’s managed to slot in so rapidly. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms, and they’re so great about helping me in the offense. I like to say ‘the Knicks way.’ [Brunson’s] been amazing. Josh [Hart], OG [Anunoby] have really helped me in this transition.”
The Knicks traded ahead Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves to amass Cities, a four-time All-Star now in his tenth NBA season. The splashy blockbuster got here throughout the identical offseason the Knicks despatched 5 first-round picks to Brooklyn for ahead Mikal Bridges.
The addition of Cities, who hails from close by New Jersey, gave the Knicks a floor-spacing stretch 5 whose versatile ability set has helped gas one of many NBA’s highest-scoring and most-efficient offenses.
Getting into Thursday, Cities had made 45.2% of his 3-pointers, which led the Knicks.
He scored a minimum of 30 factors seven instances, and a minimum of 40 factors twice, by 20 video games.
And he ranked close to the highest of the NBA by averaging 1.31 factors per possession (PPP) as a pick-and-roll roll man, forming a dynamic duo with Brunson, who, at 1.10 PPP, was among the many league’s finest pick-and-roll ball handlers.
“Brunson and KAT are the number one pick-and-roll combination in the league,” Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd mentioned final week earlier than going through the Knicks. He added of Cities, “Just understanding his ability, if you’re late in any defensive schemes, he’s gonna shoot it, and most likely it’s going in.
Towns credits Brunson, the Knicks’ team captain, for their quick chemistry.
“It’s easy to do when you’re playing with Jalen Brunson,” Cities mentioned. “He’s extremely smart. His IQ is off the charts. Obviously, all kinds of talent. Just playing off Cap and his game, the way he’s commanding the floor, it makes it easy to find where you fit into the offense.”
Cities spent his first 9 NBA seasons with the Timberwolves. He performed energy ahead within the ultimate two to accommodate the arrival of fellow 7-footer Rudy Gobert, a shot-blocking middle and a four-time NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr.
Cities has returned to taking part in middle this season for the Knicks, main a place group that continues to be with out Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and that solely acquired Treasured Achiuwa again from a preseason hamstring damage on Thursday.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, who was Cities’ head coach in Minnesota from 2016-19, believes the large man’s expertise taking part in a number of positions helped him adapt rapidly with New York.
“It probably would be harder for a rookie to do it, but I think the fact that he’s got 10 years in the league, and he understands the league,” Thibodeau mentioned. “Our players have played against him before, so I think that helps facilitate it, and then his skill set. Because he can shoot, he can pass, he can put it on the floor, he can fit in with anybody.”
