The New York Knicks have had a strong season so far, boasting a 39-20 record and holding the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Their success has been driven by the stellar play of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who have both been instrumental in the team's performance.
Brunson, averaging 26.1 points and 7.4 assists per game, has been a key factor in the Knicks' offensive strategy. However, recent games against top teams have exposed some vulnerabilities in their approach.
In losses against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Knicks struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm.
These defeats have raised concerns among fans and analysts, prompting former NBA star Carmelo Anthony to weigh in on the issue.
Speaking on his podcast, Anthony shared his thoughts on how teams are managing to disrupt the Knicks' offense, particularly by targeting Brunson.
"I also think that teams, it’s a copycat league, if you look at the Knicks vs the top teams, a lot could have gone into losing those two," Anthony said.
"I think teams figured out a way to at least disrupt the Knicks offense by putting bigger, stronger, taller guys on Brunson. Now when you switch, you’re going to another 6'8" guy, physical, pick after pick. That’s strategy, Cleveland did it, OKC did it as well."
Anthony's comments highlight a posible trend in the league, where teams are employing larger, more physical defenders to slow down Brunson.
This strategy has proven effective in recent matchups, as it forces Brunson to work harder for his points and expend more energy.
"They’re going to see big, taller, physical guys, they’re going to put physical guys on JB. He’s going to do his thing, but that’s a lot of work to constantly, every single time," Anthony added.
The Knicks need to find an answer to this defensive strategy if they hope to maintain their success and make a deep playoff run.
Adjustments in their offensive approach, such as utilizing other scoring options and creating more off-ball movement, could help alleviate the pressure on Brunson and keep the offense flowing smoothly.
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