The Knicks enter this season with very different expectations from the surface.
Championship expectations. The idea that they will supplant the defending champion Celtics and win their first crown since 1973.
Contained in the MSG Training Center?
Well, that’s a special story. They never discuss it.
“As much as we would like to leap back into Game of seven [of the Eastern Conference semifinals] last 12 months and proceed to where we went, we have now to begin the journey throughout,” Jalen Brunson said Saturday.
Brunson did say the hype is “definitely a terrific problem to have,” but he also believes it’s essential for the Knicks to tune out the surface noise, whether it’s positive or negative. They don’t need to feel too good about themselves without doing anything or have the necessity to prove people flawed.
“No matter what people say, whether it’s positive or negative, we have now to have mental toughness and just worry about what’s occurring within this constructing, inside this organization,” Brunson said. “You’ll be able to’t hearken to the positive and never hearken to the negative. That’s just not how it really works.”
The mindset, as all the time under coach Tom Thibodeau, is “recuperate each day,” based on Brunson.
Asked if that is probably the most talented Knicks team he has coached since taking up in 2020, Thibodeau simply said: “We’ll see.”
“Nothing changes. That’s for you guys,” the Knicks coach said, when asked concerning the expectations. “For us, we will’t skip over anything. Every day, we have now to place in all we will. Hopefully we’re constructing the best sorts of habits which can be vital to achieve success to recuperate and we’ll see where it goes.”
Thibodeau said he doesn’t expect to have a set backup center for Karl-Anthony Towns once the season begins.
He has loads of options, from young pivots Jericho Sims and Ariel Hukporti to undersized big man Precious Achiuwa and even using OG Anunoby in a small-ball lineup.
“I like the flexibility that they create and the physicality,” Thibodeau said. “That’s essential. Obviously you would like that depth for a season. We’ll see the way it unfolds. Got an extended technique to go.”
Sims and Hukporti, the No. 58 pick in last June’s NBA Draft, are battling for minutes in a crowded frontcourt.
The 6-foot-11 Hukporti had a formidable preseason debut Wednesday, producing seven points, 4 rebounds and three steals in 16 minutes.
“One guy’s been within the league slightly bit longer and Jericho’s athleticism may be very different from most,” Thibodeau said. “Ariel is a young guy coming in, there’s a defensive component to him already. But he has to learn the offensive a part of the sport, and that’s coming. But each are excellent.”
The Knicks enter this season with very different expectations from the surface.
Championship expectations. The idea that they will supplant the defending champion Celtics and win their first crown since 1973.
Contained in the MSG Training Center?
Well, that’s a special story. They never discuss it.
“As much as we would like to leap back into Game of seven [of the Eastern Conference semifinals] last 12 months and proceed to where we went, we have now to begin the journey throughout,” Jalen Brunson said Saturday.
Brunson did say the hype is “definitely a terrific problem to have,” but he also believes it’s essential for the Knicks to tune out the surface noise, whether it’s positive or negative. They don’t need to feel too good about themselves without doing anything or have the necessity to prove people flawed.
“No matter what people say, whether it’s positive or negative, we have now to have mental toughness and just worry about what’s occurring within this constructing, inside this organization,” Brunson said. “You’ll be able to’t hearken to the positive and never hearken to the negative. That’s just not how it really works.”
The mindset, as all the time under coach Tom Thibodeau, is “recuperate each day,” based on Brunson.
Asked if that is probably the most talented Knicks team he has coached since taking up in 2020, Thibodeau simply said: “We’ll see.”
“Nothing changes. That’s for you guys,” the Knicks coach said, when asked concerning the expectations. “For us, we will’t skip over anything. Every day, we have now to place in all we will. Hopefully we’re constructing the best sorts of habits which can be vital to achieve success to recuperate and we’ll see where it goes.”
Thibodeau said he doesn’t expect to have a set backup center for Karl-Anthony Towns once the season begins.
He has loads of options, from young pivots Jericho Sims and Ariel Hukporti to undersized big man Precious Achiuwa and even using OG Anunoby in a small-ball lineup.
“I like the flexibility that they create and the physicality,” Thibodeau said. “That’s essential. Obviously you would like that depth for a season. We’ll see the way it unfolds. Got an extended technique to go.”
Sims and Hukporti, the No. 58 pick in last June’s NBA Draft, are battling for minutes in a crowded frontcourt.
The 6-foot-11 Hukporti had a formidable preseason debut Wednesday, producing seven points, 4 rebounds and three steals in 16 minutes.
“One guy’s been within the league slightly bit longer and Jericho’s athleticism may be very different from most,” Thibodeau said. “Ariel is a young guy coming in, there’s a defensive component to him already. But he has to learn the offensive a part of the sport, and that’s coming. But each are excellent.”
