Mike Brown adjusts his starting five to the opponents

The second meeting of the Knicks, and the second starting five, was tested by Mike Brown. After growing up five against the Cavaliers with Ariel Hookporty, the New York coach chose to start Myles McBride against the Celtics. A pick that allowed Jalen Brunson to be used as the second running back, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby completed the starting five.

“I wasn’t sure it would be good if Ariel and KAT had to defend from the back from the start of the match”he explained, referring to the Celtics’ “small-ball” four-guard front. “We believe we are an extremely versatile team. We can play in many different ways.”

In the end, the Knicks won fairly easily, thanks to a great 2nd quarter, and McBride finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 31 minutes. He already scored 15 points against the Cavaliers. What makes Jalen Brunson proud.

“I think the best thing about him is that even when he didn’t play a lot (early in his career), he was still in the gym every day. Brunson remembers. “He did everything he needed to do. When the trade (sending RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quiley to the Raptors in 2023) happened, he got an extension and started playing, he fit in right away because he was ready. He worked, worked, worked … and he was ready. It’s a testament to who he is and what he works for, and he works. he’s always ready when it’s his turn if he has a bad night, he even comes back better the next day. That’s just his personality.”

The Knicks want to shoot more from 3-point range

For Brown, this configuration has a big advantage: it allows you to have shooters at all positions. The goal is to become a dangerous 3-point formation, and to do much better than the 34 3-point shooting average last season. After two games, Brunson and his team are averaging 42.5.

“Everyone on the pitch can shoot at a very good level and from a distance,” Brown made excuses. about that five. “Everybody can create their own shot or play for their teammates. You have to defend against them. And defensively, there’s a lot of interchangeability, guys are used to defending on the ball carrier. They’re fast, all that. It gives the opposition a different look than the traditional big five.”