JAYLEN BRUNSON VS TYRESE HALIBURTON
As mentioned here, I’ve made my peace with Leon Rose passing over Tyrese Haliburton in the 2020 NBA Draft to select another current Indiana Pacer Obi Toppin. By far, that was the worst decision in Rose’s successful New York Knicks career. But… it did indirectly lead to the acquisition of Jalen Brunson, and the subsequent turnaround in the Knicks’ fortunes.
The Knicks won 37 games and missed the playoffs the year before Brunson arrived. Since then, they’ve won 47, 50 and 51 games respectively and 4 playoff rounds. Now, he is giving James Dolan a 9th post-season home game in the World’s Most Famous Arena, hoping to extend the Eastern Conference Finals to give his owner a chance at a 10th next Monday night.
Brunson has been a godsend since his arrival, with the way he embraced his leadership role, both on and off the court. He is the individual most responsible for putting the Knicks back into the spotlight. To put it succinctly, “it all worked out”.
However, that does not mean that Haliburton is not a better all-round player with a higher ceiling. Haliburton is a better defender, rebounder and more natural distributer of the basketball. He’s four years younger, two inches taller and has more range on his deep shots. The one area that Brunson had over Haliburton coming into the series, is that Brunson found consistency in his game ever since he arrived in New York. Does Haliburton’s career game Tuesday night (32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds in the Pacers’ Game 4 win) signal that he has officially arrived?
We won’t know for sure until they tip-off. What we do know is that the Knicks wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for Brunson. As Scottie P famously says in the movie, We’re the Millers, “No ragrets”.
OG ANUNOBY TIME
Speaking of no regrets, the Knicks traded two beloved homegrown players in RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to acquire OG Anunoby and then made him the highest paid Knick ever by signing him to five-year, $212.5m contract last summer.
The Knicks acquired him with an eye on defending Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but tonight he needs to be on Haliburton. The entire game. Godspeed, OG.
MOVE AND PROTECT THE BALL
The Knicks were 11th in the league in assists in the regular season at 27.5 assists per game. They were 3rd in the league in fewest turnovers at 12.2. Not to be Captain Obvious, but they will not be able to extend the series if they repeat Game 4’s performance with 17 of each.
DON’T FORGET
Win or lose tonight, don’t forget the shambles that the Knicks organization was in before Rose and Tom Thibodeau arrived in town in 2020:
2001–02 (30–52) No playoffs
2002–03 (37–45) No playoffs
2003–04 (39–43) Lost 1st Round
2004–05 (33–49) No playoffs
2005–06 (23–59) No playoffs
2006–07 (33–49) No playoffs
2007–08 (23–59) No playoffs
2008–09 (32–50) No playoffs
2009–10 (29–53) No playoffs
2010–11 (42–40) Lost 1st Round
2011–12 (36–30) Lost 1st Round
2012–13 (54–28) Lost Conference Semifinals
2013–14 (37–45) No playoffs
2014–15 (17–65) No playoffs
2015–16 (32–50) No playoffs
2016–17 (31–51) No playoffs
2017–18 (29–53) No playoffs
2018–19 (17–65) No playoffs
2019–20 (21–45) No playoffs
2020–21 (41–31) Lost 1st Round
2021–22 (37–45) No playoffs
2022–23 (47–35) Lost Conference Semifinals
2023–24 (50–32) Lost Conference Semifinals
2024–25 (51–31) Playoffs in progress
