Knicks Notes: Brunson, Sims, Barrett, Towns

Jalen BrunsonThe scoring average has dropped from his career-high of 28.7 points per game in 2023-24 to 25.2 PPG in his first 24 games this season, but the Curtsy Otherwise, Star is playing even better than he did a year ago when he finished fifth in MVP voting, claims James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Brunson’s shooting percentage is 49.6% from the floor and a career-best 43.2% on three-pointers. And perhaps most notably, he is averaging 7.8 assists per game, a career-best. That can be attributed in part to the fact that he’s playing with another elite scorer and shooter Karl Anthony cities and in part to Brunson’s improved ability to handle defenses that have used blitzes, hedges and double teams to slow him down.

“This has been happening a lot more often lately.” Brunson said of that defensive pressure. “I’ve always worked on things like this. I just like to trust my readings and my instincts.”

If Brunson continues to play like he has, he will likely appear on numerous MVP ballots again in the spring, but he and his head coach Tom Thibodeau are more focused on ensuring the Knicks continue to generate efficient shots and win games. New York’s offensive rating is an NBA-high 121.0 and the team continues to climb in the Eastern Conference, sitting at 15-9 after a win over Toronto last night.

“(Brunson) has 10, 11 (assists) every night now.” Thibodeau said Monday, according to Edwards. “He provides a lot of good offense for us. Everyone has this responsibility. Read the game and don’t hold the ball for too long. If you’re open, I want you to shoot. If you’re not open, I don’t want you to exaggerate. Just read what they do. If you have players who play for each other and play unselfishly, that will give you a high scoring rate.”

We have more on the Knicks:

• After playing just three minutes on Thursday and six minutes on Saturday, Jericho Sims was a DNP-CD for the first time this season in Toronto on Monday, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. As Bondy notes, Sims played strong defense for the Knicks this fall, but looked lost on offense in his two previous appearances. As long as Precious Achiuwa is available, Sims may not be a regular part of Thibodeau’s rotation.
• Raptors forward RJ BarrettFacing his former team on Monday, nearly a year after moving from New York to Toronto, told reporters he wasn’t shocked by his move: “You notice it when you’re treated a certain way.” As Bondy observes, Barrett’s shot attempts and scoring average declined during his final year with the Knicks as he became a third option behind Brunson and on offense Julius Randle. “A lot of stuff (made me feel like I was going to get traded). Many things”, Barrett said. “I think I just got a vibe, kind of thought. I wasn’t really surprised when it happened.”
• John Calipariwho coached Towns in Kentucky helped the former Wildcat overcome the initial shock that saw him transferred from Minnesota to New York earlier this fall, as Bondy details in a separate New York Post article. “First of all, you’re surprised when you’re an All-Star and you get traded. And the second thing is that you’re going to get hurt.” Calipari said. “Why did they do that? Why should they do it? And that’s why I ended up telling him, ‘Please, (the Knicks) are perfect for you.’ Don’t worry about all the other things. Move on. …Don’t look back. You’re not bitter. You’re already on to the next thing.’”