Two video games into the Mike Brown period, the Knicks are beginning to reveal early contours of a brand new identification — and some rotational battles are already coming into focus. There’s been rust, in fact, as gamers alter to new offensive ideas and spacing ideas. However there have additionally been flashes of rhythm and redefined roles. From Karl-Anthony Cities’ bumpy begin to Mikal Bridges’ environment friendly burst, right here’s a player-by-player have a look at the early returns in Abu Dhabi.
Karl-Anthony Cities
Recreation 1: 11 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2-4 FGGame 2: 6 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1-4 FG
Brown stated he’d transfer Cities everywhere in the flooring. He by no means stated it will click on in a single day. There are of course some kinks to work out for the five-time All-Star, however expectations stay excessive — particularly given Cities’ observe file as one of the crucial correct three-point shooters on the heart place in league historical past. The Knicks are banking on that model re-emerging. For now, the frontcourt pairing with Mitchell Robinson — which sparked success throughout final season’s playoff run — stays the beginning look below Brown to open the preseason.
Jalen Brunson
Recreation 1: 6 PTS, 4 AST, 2-8 FGGame 2: 14 PTS, 2 AST, 2 STL, 5-10 FG
If Brunson regarded out of rhythm within the preseason opener, he recalibrated shortly in Recreation 2. The Knicks’ captain and engine confirmed his common management and scoring contact, discovering his spots extra decisively because the staff discovered its tempo. The brand new system has introduced a change of tempo — each actually and figuratively — for the All-NBA guard. However as all the time, when issues stall, New York is aware of it will probably lean on Brunson to regular the ground and summon a rescue bucket.
Mikal Bridges
Recreation 1: 10 PTS, 4-10 FG, 2-5 3PTGame 2: 10 PTS, 2 BLK, 4-4 FG
No participant stands to profit extra from Brown’s offensive overhaul than Bridges. In Recreation 2, he didn’t miss a shot and flashed the downhill aggression that’s been lengthy overdue in his sport. Fairly than settling for mid-range pull-ups, Bridges attacked the rim — and transformed. He’s additionally nonetheless drawing the hardest defensive project every evening, guarding opposing lead guards — an space of development after blended ends in that position below Tom Thibodeau.
OG Anunoby
Recreation 1: Didn’t play (sprained hand)Recreation 2: 13 PTS, 4-7 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2 REB, 1 STL, 1 AST
Any concern about Anunoby’s hand vanished the second his first three-pointer dropped. Again within the beginning lineup for the Abu Dhabi finale, the two-way wing wasted no time discovering his rhythm. He drained three triples and regarded sharp inside the new offensive construction. Like Bridges, Anunoby figures to tackle a extra dynamic offensive position this season. His greatest second? A paint contact, two collapsing defenders and a superbly positioned lob — a delicate however essential evolution in his playmaking.
Mitchell Robinson
Recreation 1: 7 PTS, 16 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 1 ASTGame 2: 6 PTS, 8 REB
A few of Brown’s offensive ideas felt “foreign,” Robinson stated in camp — and it tracks. The Knicks are utilizing their defensive anchor in methods by no means seen below Thibodeau. In Recreation 1, Robinson served as a dribble handoff hub on the high of the important thing and was extra concerned in half-court motion as a passer and screener. His vertical spacing stays elite — however now it’s getting utilized, with guards actively searching for him out for lobs in a approach that felt absent final season.
Jordan Clarkson
Recreation 1: 9 PTS, 4-9 FGGame 2: 7 PTS, 2 AST, 2-5 FG
Clarkson brings extra than simply microwave scoring. At 6-5, his measurement provides New York extra size on the perimeter, and his passing has quietly been a preseason spotlight. He showcased it once more in Recreation 2, threading a drive-and-dish to Robinson for a clear end on the rim. He nonetheless profiles greatest as a bucket-getting sixth man, however Clarkson’s flooring sport continues to evolve.
Guerschon Yabusele
Recreation 1: 0 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 0-4 FGGame 2: 3 PTS, 1-1 3PT, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
Yabusele’s signature second got here in Recreation 2, when he denied Philly’s Justin Edwards on the rim with an enormous one-handed block, sparking a Bridges–Cities give-and-go in transition. The 6-8 ahead has been used at heart in small-ball lineups, a brand new wrinkle the entrance workplace can afford because of a roster wealthy with shooters. After spending final season on a lottery-bound Sixers squad, Yabusele is embracing his position in New York’s playoff-minded rotation.
Miles McBride
Recreation 1: 12 PTS, 5 REB, 3 STL, 2 AST, 5-7 FG, 2-4 3PTGame 2: 2 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK, 1-3 FG
McBride cooled off in Recreation 2 after a breakout opener, however the growth in his deal with and shot creation was evident. The Knicks will want dependable minutes from him to protect Brunson for the lengthy haul — and Brown has a historical past of trusting guards who defend and compete like McBride. Assume Keon Ellis in Sacramento: from two-way to rotation staple. McBride could possibly be on the same trajectory.
Josh Hart
Recreation 1: Sustained again harm in first halfGame 2: Didn’t play (again spasms)
Already nursing a finger harm, Hart landed awkwardly in Recreation 1 and was later dominated out with again spasms. His absence provides uncertainty to his preseason outlook and denies the staff a key observe presence because it adapts to Brown’s new system. The hope is precaution wins out — as a result of a completely wholesome Hart stays one in all New York’s most versatile glue guys.
Malcolm Brogdon
Recreation 1: 3 PTS, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLKGame 2: 5 PTS, 4 REB, 2 STL, 1 AST
Don’t let the non-guaranteed deal idiot you — Brogdon is taking part in like a rotation lock. His regular hand and veteran imaginative and prescient have already elevated the Knicks’ second unit, and his means to prepare the offense contrasts sharply with the staff’s chaotic backup level guard play final season.
Landry Shamet
Recreation 1: 2 PTS, 2 AST, plus-12Game 2: 6 PTS, 1-2 3PT, 3-3 FT
Shamet is doing precisely what he was introduced in to do: shoot, area and maintain defenders sincere. The veteran sniper hasn’t missed from the road and is hitting open appears from deep. He’s firmly within the combine for one of many ultimate roster spots — and his consistency solely ups the strain on New York’s youthful wings.
Pacome Dadiet
Recreation 1: 4 PTS, 3 TO, 1-6 FG, 0-5 3PTGame 2: 0 PTS, 0-2 FG, 8 MIN
Tough begin for the twenty fifth general choose. Dadiet opened preseason in Anunoby’s place however regarded overwhelmed, lacking all 5 of his threes and coughing up the ball thrice. He didn’t fare a lot better off the bench in Recreation 2. With wing depth already strained by Hart and Anunoby’s well being, the Knicks want somebody to emerge at that spot. To date, Dadiet hasn’t seized the second.
Ariel Hukporti
Recreation 1: 6 PTS, 6 REB, 6 MIN, plus-13Game 2: 5 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 2-2 FG
Large Huk is profiting from his minutes. The bruising huge man, coming off a torn meniscus, has impressed in restricted stints — and will wind up because the emergency third heart if the Knicks maintain 15. He’s energetic, bodily, and extra cell than anticipated given his body.
Tyler Kolek
Recreation 1: 6 PTS, 1 AST, 1 STLGame 2: 2 PTS, 1-9 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1 AST, 1 STL
The margin for error is shrinking. Kolek, the No. 34 choose, struggled mightily in Recreation 2, going 1-for-9 from the sphere and failing to generate offense as a lead guard. With Brogdon and Shamet making robust instances to stay, Kolek could discover himself squeezed out — except he can shortly string collectively robust showings earlier than the preseason clock runs out.
