NEW YORK – Much has been expected of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns as a duo from the moment the New York Knicks paired them together. At the end of their second season as Knicks teammates, it looks like they’re just beginning to realize their offensive potential.
Since February 1, among the top 50 duos in total screens set, Brunson and Towns’ 1.31 points per direct through on-ball screens lead the NBA. Those are scores, generated immediately after the pick, by either the pick-and-roll ball-handler or a pass to an immediate shooter.
The improved synergy has been noticeable on both the stat sheet and the film. Towns told reporters after the Knicks’ Thursday night win over the Boston Celtics that it was the result of communication between himself and the team’s captain, Brunson.
“I just think we had good conversation the last couple of days. Those conversations are showing up in the game, especially in the last two fourth quarters,” Towns said, referring to close victories over the Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. “When things get into high-pressure situations, we have leaned on each other and trusted each other. It’s been very good for our team. Shoutout to JB, and shoutout to the guys on the team, for trusting us in those situations.”
With one regular season game left until a pivotal playoff run, it’s great timing for the duo to really pick things up with regard to both their production and the schematic strain they can put on opposing defenses.
Mike Brown breaks down Knicks’ Big-2’s improved synergy
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Knicks head coach Mike Brown said after Thursday’s win that the team was leaning more heavily into Brunson and Towns’ two-man game, citing the point guard’s off-ball movement and big man’s passing ability as integral to the action’s success. He also stressed the importance of this momentum carrying into the team’s upcoming postseason run.
“We’re running a little bit more, than what we had before. Those guys are just getting in rhythm, getting in rhythm at the right time,” Brown remarked. “Jalen is great without the basketball. His ability to get open, because he understands angles, is second to none. His ability to change directions without the basketball is second to none. When you have a passer like KAT, who can hand it off or pass late to you, it makes that play really effective. … The rhythm that those two guys have established these last few games is something they’re going to have to take into the playoffs. Because it’s a really good combination. Obviously.”
Brunson seemed to agree with the notion that he and Towns were an “obvious” match in the pick-and-roll. He answered “no” when asked if he knew why it took so long for the Knicks to run more pick-and-roll between him and Towns, “yes” regarding whether or not the action is worthwhile, and “very effective play” when asked if he felt Brown should have leaned on it earlier.
After his handling of questions regarding the Knicks’ schemes that would have made any politician proud, though, the captain did make his and Towns’ success sound simple.
“Just trying to make the defense make decisions, and just playing off that. I think the longer we’ve been together, the better our chemistry has been,” Brunson told reporters in the Knicks’ locker room on Thursday.
For the Knicks to win four consecutive playoff series, they’re going to need to be able to score in plenty of different ways – against plenty of different lineups and schemes. Brunson’s isolation scoring, Towns’ barreling drives, and shot-making from the team’s wings are all prerequisites to win a championship.
Towns understands this. It showed when he expanded on his comments regarding the “trust” between himself and Brunson.
“Just trusting us, and trusting that we can make the job easier for him. He’s done a great job of utilizing us,” Towns told reporters of the point guard’s Knicks supporting cast. “We’ve done a great job of making the most of those opportunities. So it’s a two-way street. Shoutout to JB for finding us.”
NEW YORK – Much has been expected of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns as a duo from the moment the New York Knicks paired them together. At the end of their second season as Knicks teammates, it looks like they’re just beginning to realize their offensive potential. Since February 1, among the top 50 duos in total screens set, Brunson and Towns’ 1.