The Knicks were back in the Tarrytown lab on Tuesday as they gear up for Thursday’s matchup against the Timberwolves.
New York only has three preseason games left before real basketball comes to Manhattan, and we cannot be happier about it as the wait is nearly over.
Here’s everything heard and said by Mike Brown and a bunch of Knickerbockers during the past few hours.
On the team’s current state and style of play:
“I don’t get into that stuff. We’re in a great spot right now. Our guys have been playing their tails off. They’re starting to pick up what we’re doing defensively, and offensively we’re getting a little more comfortable — especially trying to play fast. That’s what I’m concentrating on now. I love our guys, and I think they’re starting to enjoy playing the way we’re trying to play on both ends.”
On Jalen Brunson’s adaptation to his system:
“Jalen, he’s starting to adjust. You can see it. I think this is gonna be good for him. You can see how much space he has when he brings the ball, and again, if you want to pressure a guy like Jalen with that much space, there’s a pretty good chance that he can make you pay for it.”
On planning to increase preseason minutes for starters, starting with Thursday’s game:
“We’ll try to work it up this third game, try to get the starters a little bit of action in the second half.”
On evaluating lineups and dealing with injuries:
“Not really (worried about Hart and OG’s injuries), just because of the injuries, but that’s why you have 15 guys and three two-ways. Someone goes down, it’s the next man up. OG didn’t play in Game 1 — next guy steps up. Josh didn’t play in Game 2 — next guy steps up.”
“Knock on wood, that’s how it’s gotta be all year. That’s why it’s extremely important for everybody to be mentally locked in. Your number can be called any time. Our guys are extremely professional and they’ll be ready — even if they haven’t played in a game or two.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns and Guerschon Yabusele’s learning curve:
“They have the toughest job on the team because one, two, three and four are interchangeable. So when you’re on the floor, you have to know all four of those spots. And then five is completely separate.”
“So Kat and Yabusele have to learn all five spots in everything we’re trying to do now. That’s going to take time.”
“Sometimes they’re at the five, sometimes they’re at the four — and they’re completely different. It’s going to take them a little longer than everyone else, and the learning curve will be a lot steeper.”
“Not only is he trying to get a rhythm, but he’s trying to figure out what the hell he’s supposed to do when he’s at the five as opposed to when he’s at the four.”
“They’re both doing a fantastic job trying to adjust, but it’s going to take them a little longer than everybody else just because they’re playing both of the positions within the framework of our offense — and so their learning curve’s gonna have to be a lot steeper than anybody else’s.”
On Towns’ versatility in the offense:
“It’s hard to tee off and double-team or to measure up how you’re gonna play him because he’s all over the place at all times.”
On McBride’s athleticism and system fit:
“For sure, Deuce is one of the most athletic guys I’ve been around. His combination of power, strength, quickness, it’s off the charts for a guy his size. One time in practice, he went up and dunked the ball. I don’t know how he kept going up, up and up to dunk it. It surprised me. But he fits well with what we want to do, for sure.”
On joining a contender in New York:
“That’s something you chase. That’s a different high, man, if you want to put it like that. The level of detail, every play matters. I really want to get back there and I want for sure to take every step day to day, but Coming here, one of the reasons why is I wanted to compete in the playoffs and be on a winning team that’s playing for something.”
On preseason preparation:
“We’re getting closer to the season, getting closer to the real thing. We’re still preparing as well as we need to be. So we’ll continue with that preparation and focus. Obviously minutes aren’t what they would be in a regular-season game [yet].”
On adapting to Brown’s offensive system:
“Still adjusting, still learning and there’s still a lot for us to get better at, but I think playing out of the basics of our offense for the first week-ish or two, whatever it’s been — the potential is getting there. And what we’re learning and how we’re playing as a team is definitely improving. So still a long way to go, but getting our basics down.”
“What we’re learning and how we’re playing as a team is definitely improving. So still a long way to go, but getting our basics down.”
On team bonding in Abu Dhabi:
“I think the only thing different [from typical team bonding on a road trip] was obviously the length of travel. Being able to do the dinner in the desert that we did, getting to try different things out there that’s within their culture that obviously we don’t really do out here was interesting. But I’m glad we were able to do it.”
On Towns’ role and confidence:
“It’s super important to get his confidence and keep his confidence at an all-time high throughout the season if this team wants to achieve what we think we can achieve. He’s one of the great players in the league. It’s really that simple.”
“He can shoot shots from beyond the arc like guards do.”
On playing in a faster system this season:
“It’s always fun to get up and down. That’s what I like to do, make people play faster. Speed up people. I think for a guy that wants to play fast like me and having a coach like that, he definitely wants me to embrace it. Pick up people, make them turn and really guard my yard.”
On ignoring trade rumors:
“I don’t see any of it. I stay off of social media. Even before I got to the league, I feel like social media is a lot of negativity.”
On wanting to stay in New York:
“I mean, I love being here. I want to be a Knick for life. I can’t control anything. So just going to come to work until they tell me otherwise.”
On the fan support and city culture:
“Absolutely. I mean, when the fan base is behind you through the ups and downs, no matter what, it’s great to play in MSG. It’s the Mecca of basketball. So being a Knick for these last couple of years has been amazing and I love the city. I love the city. I love the fans. Just being able to embrace the culture. I feel like it’s a hustle culture and I’m a hustle guy. So it’s perfect.”
On writing a children’s book:
“Really just want to spread positivity. Continue to be a role model to the youth and help them believe that they can achieve anything as long as they work hard and have discipline in themselves.”
On working with Mike Breen:
“It was unbelievable. When you work with somebody like Mike Breen, one of the GOATs of the game, it makes it so easy. You learn so much just watching and paying attention … I wanted to take the year off, but those Knicks reps were unbelievable, and we were undefeated when Breen and I worked together, which is really cool. Always helps.”
On joining NBC’s NBA team:
“I felt like I was built to be with NBC, because I have such great relationships with people that came before me and then the next generation. I feel like it’s my duty to kind of be the bridge of kind of spreading the game. I knew the game would be first. The game is the star at NBC, and that’s why I love the decision I made. I’m glad they had an interest and I thought it was perfect.”
On the Knicks’ appeal as a broadcast team:
“The star power they have, they play an unselfish style of basketball, and they’re fun to watch. They have engaging stars. Brunson is a guy. I’ve seen kids wearing his jersey, and I’m like, you have the right guy. He’s a great guy off the court, [Karl-Anthony Towns] with that same thing. Those two lead the way as superstars. You have Josh Hart, you have OG Anunoby and you have all these unselfish pieces that I think will impact everybody.”