If the Knicks make it to the finals but lose to the Spurs or Thunder, would you trade KAT, Bridges, and McBride for Giannis? — Robbie C. Bronx, NY.
Robbie, I promise to answer your question. But first, here’s a life hack disguised as a few clichés — “stay in the moment”, “enjoy the journey”, “be where your feet are”, and “breathe”.
On one hand it’s great that the New York Knicks are able to rest their bodies and heal their injuries while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons continue to battle in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. On the other hand, impatient Knicks fans, journalists, and social media warriors have too much time on their hands.
The Knicks are on a seven-game heater, looking like the best Knicks squad since Willis Reed limped out of the tunnel in 1970. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns finally look like the two missing pieces of the puzzle they were acquired to be — yet the local sports media already has them headed to Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is nicknamed the “Greek Freak” for a reason. He’s a 9x All-Star, 2x MVP, former Defensive POY, and won a ring and a finals MVP five seasons ago. When healthy, he’s one of the Top 5 players in the game, but he’s only played more than 67 games in a season once since 2018-19.
More importantly, for the first time since Leon Rose put this starting five together, they look like a cohesive unit on both ends of the court. Their pieces fit and everyone is comfortable in their roles.
Jalen Brunson is the star. Towns is comfortable as a #2 — and enjoying his newfound playmaking role. OG Anunoby is the third star. Bridges has regained the aggressiveness he showed with Brooklyn and Phoenix. Josh Hart is the Knicks’ version of a kinder, gentler Draymond Green. Miles McBride has regained his stroke and Mike Brown’s micro-dosing minutes have worked wonders for Mitchell Robinson.
The Knicks have a very talented roster, but somehow, in the last seven games, they are actually better than the sum of their parts. Let the Knicks ride this out before mapping out any new plans.
More importantly, to give you one more cliché, let’s all enjoy the ride.
Is Jalen Brunson the best playoff performer in Knicks history? Natalia M. Rye, NY.
Until further notice, the two best playoff performers in New York Knicks history remain Hall of Famers Walt Frazier and Patrick Ewing.
Frazier averaged 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 93 career playoff games. He played in 3 NBA Finals, winning championship rings in 1969-70 and 1972-73. Plus, he was considered one of the best defensive players in the game.
Ewing averaged 20.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 135 career playoff games. He also was a force on both ends of the court and helped lead the Knicks to the finals in both 1993-94 and 1998-99.
Jalen Brunson doesn’t impact the game on the defensive side of the ball the way his predecessors did, but his unselfishness, both on and off the court, is a major reason why the Knicks have won 6 playoff series (and counting) in his first 4+ seasons in a Knicks uniform.
Plus, his scoring is unmatched. He’s averaging 29.44 ppg through 52 playoff games compared to Bernard King (31 ppg in only 18 games) and Carmelo Anthony (28.05 ppg in just 21 games).
My Top 3, in order, is Frazier, Ewing, and Brunson. But if the Knicks find their way to the Canyon of Heroes next month, Brunson moves up to #2.