A lot of attention this NBA offseason was given to what the New York Knicks didn’t do. They couldn’t land Donovan Mitchell in a trade with the Utah Jazz, but this was still a successful offseason for the Knicks.
They filled a major hole on the roster, signing point guard Jalen Brunson away from the Dallas Mavericks. New York has had a void at the point guard spot seemingly since Walt Frazier was gracing the backcourt and Brunson will provide a huge upgrade from what the team has been using in recent seasons.
In his first preseason game with the orange and blue, Brunson showed just how much of an upgrade he can be. Things already looked to be flowing better with him leading the way as the Knicks’ offense clicked right away.
Brunson finished the game with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 2-of-4 from 3-point range in 20 minutes. He added one rebound and five assists, finding teammates in advantageous positions to score the basketball. Head coach Tom Thibodeau loved what he saw from his new starting point guard.
“I love the way he can control and manage a game,” Thibodeau said. “To me, that’s the No. 1 function of a point guard. So he doesn’t get sped up, he doesn’t get rattled. I love the way, Julius the third quarter, that was terrific. So I think it’s a calming influence.”
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Having Brunson in the lineup will help the Knicks immensely. Last season, with Alec Burks playing point guard out of necessity, the offense would oftentimes stagnate. New York relied heavily on isolation basketball, as they were last in the NBA in assists per game and second to last in pace.
That is something Brunson will fix, as the turnovers will be cut down with him initiating the offense and he looks to push the ball every possession. The game will be much easier this season with a legitimate point guard, something Thibodeau also mentioned.
“When he gets us going and we can get stops and get up the floor and then share the ball, then the game becomes easy for everyone,” Thibodeau says.
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Brunson will be a great influence on the young guards on the team along with former MVP Derrick Rose. They will have a big part in the development of Immanuel Quickley and Deuce McBride, two players with bright futures.
“His impact off the floor is going to be as big as on the floor,” Quickley said.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Jalen Brunson & New York Knicks Updates
While it was only one preseason game, the Knicks and their fans have to be happy about the first impression that Brunson has made. They did exactly what you are supposed to do against a young team looking to find their way and the presence of Brunson was a big reason for that.
