Although it’s the slow period of August, there are still some interesting Knicks updates to consider.
The Athletic assessed the top lead guards in the NBA, placing Jalen Brunson among the elite.
Additionally, an early depth chart prediction was provided under new head coach Mike Brown. Lastly,
NBA.com revisited Patrick Ewing’s impressive shot-blocking capabilities. Let’s dive in!
Evaluating the Top Point Guards
In their rankings, The Athletic recognized Knicks player Jalen Brunson as a second-tier lead guard,
just below top talents like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Steph Curry.
Brunson was described as “primarily a scorer,” yet also “potentially the most clutch player in the league.”
Wasn’t he crowned the Clutch Player of the Year last season? His reliability is a big reason
for his rising profile: he has a knack for optimizing late-game situations, evident to Knicks fans throughout
the last season and playoffs, where his composure nearly led them to the Finals.
Brunson outperformed notable players like De’Aaron Fox, Trae Young, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Maxey.
For a player previously overlooked in Dallas due to concerns over size, this acknowledgment highlights
his significant progress in New York.
With Tyrese Haliburton out due to an Achilles injury and Kyrie Irving’s fitness always in doubt,
Brunson appears poised to solidify his position among the top three guards. For the Knicks, this is
more confirmation that they’ve made a brilliant acquisition.
An Initial Look at the Team’s Rotation
Additionally, The Athletic provided insights from James Edwards III on how Coach Brown might craft the Knicks’
rotation for the upcoming season. The projected starting five includes: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges,
OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mitchell Robinson.
A major topic of discussion is Josh Hart. He started a significant number of games last year, but the
Brunson-Bridges-Hart-Anunoby-Towns lineup struggled during the playoffs. Edwards anticipates that
Brown will favor Robinson as a consistent starter for his defensive prowess while allowing Towns to
play center in specific rotations when Guerschon Yabusele joins the court.
While Hart’s role as one of the first substitutions suggests a defense-oriented approach from Brown,
it doesn’t diminish his contribution to the team. For depth, Edwards suggests a nine-player rotation including
Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Towns, Robinson, Hart, Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, and Yabusele.
The Knicks are also exploring veteran-minimum options, with Landry Shamet potentially joining as a backup guard.
Top Shot Block Performers for the Knicks
Lastly, NBA.com highlighted the Knicks’ top five players with the most blocks in a single season, revealing
that all five spots belong to Patrick Ewing. This emphasizes his status as one of the greatest shot blockers
in the history of the NBA.
Ewing’s peak occurred in 1990, averaging four blocks per game, a feat achieved in only 16 seasons in the
league’s history. That year, he also scored a career-high 28.6 points per game, earned First Team All-NBA
accolades, and secured fifth place in MVP voting.
His defensive prowess was established throughout his career, with his shot-blocking peak in 1989, where he
averaged 3.5 blocks per game. Ewing further showcased his skills with notable performances, including a
nine-block game against the Jazz in 1991. While his legacy remains unmatched in New York,
players like Mitchell Robinson strive to leave their own mark, although injury concerns have clouded his career.
If you’re interested, you can check out the top-10 Knicks players for shot blocks per game on
Basketball-Reference.
- Patrick Ewing 2.7
- Kristaps Porziņģis 2.0
- Mitchell Robinson 1.8
- Marcus Camby 1.8
- Joe Meriweather 1.6
- Bob McAdoo* 1.4
- Marvin Webster 1.3
- Lonnie Shelton 1.3
- Tyson Chandler 1.2
- Charles Smith 1.2
Wishing you a great week ahead. Go Knicks!
