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00:00Welcome to New York Got Game.
00:06Welcome back to another edition of New York Got Game,
00:08where the Knicks are undefeated in the preseason.
00:11They're also under 10 days away from their start of the regular season.
00:15As the preseason continues, the anticipation continues to build
00:19for the regular season.
00:20So there's more and more to discuss about this Knicks team.
00:23We've got a good guest joining us this week
00:25to talk about a spicy hot take that has to do with the Knicks.
00:30So let's get right into it.
00:32The Knicks are heating up.
00:35Okay, so today we've got a special guest joining the show.
00:37He's the host of Combo's Court, Andrew Salop, also known as Combo.
00:41He's stirring up the Knicks fan base.
00:43He's got one bold prediction.
00:44That is going to be the focus of this week's episode.
00:47So let's get into it.
00:49My guy, Andrew, here in studio with me.
00:51What's going on, man?
00:52My guy, what's up, bro?
00:52How you doing, man?
00:53I'm good, man.
00:54And we had a great talk before the show,
00:55and we're going to have a great talk during the show.
00:57Talk a little Gen Z millennial action.
00:59We did.
01:00We were praising Gen Z.
01:01We were praising Gen Z.
01:02People might not think of us.
01:03We are millennials, old millennials.
01:05People might not think that we would praise Gen Z.
01:07Yeah, right.
01:08But we were giving some respect to you guys out there,
01:11including the Gen Z Knicks.
01:12We love everybody.
01:13We love everyone.
01:14We love everybody.
01:14How you doing, man?
01:15I'm doing well, just working on shows and family
01:18and working out, and that's what I do.
01:20You know that, Dexter.
01:20You were just on my show.
01:22Go listen to Combo's Court.
01:23Dexter was on there.
01:24He went with some great takes,
01:24some Asia Wilson takes, some Knicks takes.
01:27You said I was spicy.
01:28You were spicy that day,
01:29because you went right at Caitlyn Clark.
01:32I didn't go at Caitlyn Clark.
01:34I went at the Clarkies.
01:35The Clarkies.
01:36You're right.
01:37I went at the Clarkies.
01:37They're a conglomerate.
01:39You're saying they're one and the same?
01:40They're a conglomerate.
01:41They're all together.
01:42I don't know if Caitlyn Clark is down with the Clarkies.
01:43Well, you're saying she's not with her supporters?
01:46They're all together.
01:48She can appreciate a supporter.
01:49She might not appreciate how all of them act.
01:51That's all I'm saying.
01:52Fair.
01:52That's all I'm saying.
01:53Fair.
01:54Now, you just mentioned that I was on your show, Combo's Court.
01:58Everybody go check that out.
02:00And I've known you for some time.
02:02Yes, sir.
02:03And you like to give some spicy hot takes.
02:05I just give what I believe.
02:07Some people think it's spicy, you know?
02:08Some people think spicy.
02:09You'll say spicy.
02:10It's like the truth, and they think the truth is spicy.
02:12Sometimes the truth isn't spicy.
02:14Sometimes it's bland.
02:15That's true.
02:15But sometimes truth can't be spicy.
02:18The truth can't be spicy.
02:18And we've got to find that truth, that's spicy.
02:20Fair.
02:21There you go.
02:22You've had some bold takes from me before.
02:23This is not your first time on the show.
02:25No.
02:26But you said to me when I was on your show, Dex, I believe that the Knicks will win the title this season.
02:33100%.
02:33That turned my head.
02:35That's going to turn some other people's heads.
02:38What convinced you?
02:39My question for this off the top is, I want you to explain yourself to the people, why you said this, and what convinced you that this is the year.
02:46Because you've heard people say this before, the Knicks are going to win it this year.
02:49Maybe not a lot recently, but you guys get what I'm saying.
02:52But you're like, this is the year the Knicks are going to win the title.
02:55Why do you believe the Knicks will be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in June of 2026?
03:01The East is wide open.
03:02Halliburton out.
03:03Tatum out.
03:04I think that they have more chemistry now.
03:07They've got a year together with Brunson and Kat.
03:10And then I don't think OKC is going to repeat in the West.
03:13I think we thought the Bucs were going to repeat.
03:16We thought the Celtics were going to repeat.
03:18We thought Denver was going to repeat.
03:20And none of that ever happened, right?
03:21And I think it's going to continue in that.
03:23I think we're in the era of one-offs.
03:25And I think it's the Knicks' year because of how wide open the East is.
03:29And I think the one team that could give them problems in the finals is actually the Denver Nuggets.
03:33But I think the Knicks will have a parade in New York City after it's all said and done.
03:40OK.
03:40All right.
03:41Look, we've seen how these streets will get outside after these next postseason games.
03:49And I've asked other people this.
03:51You know, as native New Yorkers, your mind has to go to the point where what's it going to be like if they win a parade?
03:57It's going to be crazy.
03:57You've seen how it is outside the garden when they win a game.
04:00You saw it was when they got to the conference finals.
04:02Right.
04:03Can you imagine?
04:04I'm sure you have imagined.
04:05Can you imagine?
04:06I saw it last year and they didn't even make it to the finals.
04:08But can you imagine if they actually win?
04:10Oh, it's over, bro.
04:11I just, man, it's kind of scary, actually.
04:14I agree.
04:15No, like this is dark.
04:16People might die.
04:18Well.
04:19Is that too dark for your show?
04:21Nah, I mean.
04:22We bring the truth, whether it's spicy, light, dark, whatever it is.
04:25Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
04:26People are going to do some crazy stuff.
04:28I hope everybody lives.
04:29That's all I'm saying.
04:29People were jumping off, like, buildings.
04:35I just want to say.
04:35Light posts.
04:37We are not saying that you should go out there and do that?
04:38No, we should not do that.
04:40You should absolutely not do that.
04:41But it could get like that.
04:43Now, you, just to follow up, because you said the East is wide open.
04:46Mm-hmm.
04:46Okay?
04:47You don't think OKC is going to repeat.
04:49You think, you're leaning into the fact that we are.
04:51OKC is too inexperienced to repeat, I believe.
04:54I think that's an interesting statement.
04:55Yeah.
04:57We'll get to that in a second.
04:58OK.
04:59But you are, pretty much when I hear that take, you are really buying into this age of
05:03parity, combined with the continuity that the Knicks has before.
05:07Yes.
05:07You're right.
05:07We haven't seen a repeat championship, champion since 2018.
05:10So you're buying into all of this.
05:13I got some more for you, too.
05:14People are going to say, there's been some change to the roster.
05:17I like your continuity point.
05:18I think that's underrated with this next team.
05:20They got one more year together.
05:21One more year together.
05:23Is it possible the biggest upgrade that they made, and we're going to get into the coach
05:26in a second.
05:27Is it possible the biggest upgrade they made this offseason was actually switching the
05:30coach?
05:31Yeah.
05:31Mike Brown's going to bring ball movement.
05:34He's going to bring player movement.
05:36I think Tibbs was a great defensive coach, but he was a little bit stuck in his ways, and
05:40he wasn't playing modern basketball, read and react basketball, which we saw Mike Brown
05:44bring to the Kings, and I think that's really important for the New York Knicks, and we're
05:48seeing a little bit of it in preseason.
05:50You were seeing a bit of it in preseason with him and that, but when you look at Mike Brown
05:56as this new head coach, right?
05:58I've been liking what I've been seeing in preseason.
06:01You're seeing a system without a playbook.
06:03You're seeing more freedom from these guys in the way they're playing.
06:07How much of the factor of that, just the fact that there's a new system and the freedom
06:12within the system and the movement and the spacing, how much of that is tying into your
06:16confidence and what you're saying about what you believe this team can do?
06:19Yeah, I think it was tough with Jalen Brunson playing hero ball.
06:22I think it's tough to win a championship like that, and I think just bringing the ball movement,
06:26the player movement, the continuity.
06:28I think Mikkel Bridges is going to have a big season this year.
06:30I expect him to be an all-star because of the ball movement and the player movement and
06:34a little bit more Jalen Brunson off the ball.
06:35And if he's an all-star, that's a good sign that my prediction will come true.
06:40The New York Knicks will win a championship this season.
06:43So, just to follow on that, I've been saying this all summer.
06:48I think Bridges is going to have a great season.
06:50He'll be an all-star this year.
06:51That's another bold statement, too.
06:53So you think Knicks is going to have three all-stars this year?
06:55We've got to see.
06:56But you think Bridges is going to be one of them?
06:58Bridges is going to be one of them.
06:59Bridges has looked good in the preseason thus far.
07:01This is going to be, not to, Knicks fans might get mad at this.
07:04This is going to be Brooklyn Nets, Mikkel Bridges on a winning team.
07:08That's what this is going to be.
07:08But do they need him to be Brooklyn Nets, Mikkel Bridges?
07:10You and I talked about this last year.
07:12Do they need him to be Brooklyn Nets, Mikkel Bridges?
07:14Because I just think he has to flow.
07:16I don't think he's got to score 22 points a game.
07:18I think he's got to just give you 17 to 19, somewhere between there.
07:22No, I want to see 22 points a game, Mikkel Bridges.
07:25I don't think he gets 22 points a game.
07:27Why not?
07:28Because I don't think that's how it's going to flow in his office.
07:31I think 19 is more realistic.
07:33Okay.
07:34Can I say this?
07:3522 for Brunson, 22 for Mikkel, 19 for Kat.
07:39You're bringing Brunson's numbers down to 22.
07:41Yeah, man, from what I'm seeing in preseason,
07:43a little bit more Brunson in the corner.
07:44I hope he's happy with that.
07:45Because me as a player, if I'm the man, if I get to take every shot,
07:50if I get to handle the ball whenever I want,
07:52if they take that away from me a little bit, I'm a little upset.
07:54But Brunson might be more selfless than I am.
07:56We're going to get to that.
07:57Yeah, yeah.
07:57Because I feel like, we talked about this on your show, because I'm like.
07:59Like, that's one of the red flags.
08:02That's one.
08:02You're concerned about that.
08:03I'm concerned that Brunson might be a little upset.
08:05We're also seeing, so I don't want to step on your toes.
08:07No, no, no.
08:08Go ahead.
08:08No, we're also hearing him say, now he's being kind of PC.
08:12This is going to be a long journey, man.
08:14Long journey.
08:14He could have used different words.
08:16I think when he says it's going to be a long journey,
08:19he's trying to get people to temper their expectations.
08:22I'm reading the body language.
08:23It's like you, who would put the expectations sky high to where's championship.
08:27He's probably listening to combos scored.
08:28He's probably hearing me say it.
08:29Maybe.
08:30Yeah.
08:30Maybe he's watching this, and he's like, I'm with Dexick.
08:33You've got to bring it down a little bit.
08:35Oh, okay.
08:36You see what I'm saying?
08:36Like, he's trying to bring the expectations down a little bit.
08:38I can see that.
08:39So, let's go back to Mike Brown, because he has talked about playing faster,
08:44which you talked about, and spacing differently.
08:47Yes.
08:47Differently with this team.
08:48From a basketball philosophy standpoint, how does that style fit with this roster?
08:55It's interesting.
08:55Because this is a roster that played a certain way under Tibbs.
08:59So, how does the roster fit with everything that Mike Brown has been preaching
09:02and what you've seen thus far through three preseason games?
09:04I like it.
09:05I actually do think that some of the players on the Knicks are not read-and-react type players.
09:09Like, OG's not really a read-and-react type player.
09:11Even Brunson's a guy who likes to have the ball in his hands.
09:13Even Cat, shoot it, pass it, drive it, attacks closeouts really well.
09:18They don't remind me of Golden State Warriors, Mike Brown, Kings-type players,
09:24but I do think you need some of that to get deeper in the playoffs
09:27because you don't want Brunson to be so tired when everything means the most, you know?
09:33Yeah.
09:34You know, in crunch time.
09:35He is the clutch player of the year, but we don't want him to be tired in that moment.
09:39You know?
09:39It was a little too much Brunson hero ball.
09:41Yeah, I was looking at his usage the other day in the playoffs,
09:44and his usage rate was 35%.
09:46During the regular season, it was 32%.
09:48Could you bring it down a little bit?
09:50I haven't, there hasn't been any data I've seen thus far in the preseason,
09:53but I'm wondering where it is, and that kind of brings me to the next question
09:57because with a new offense that you see with the Knicks, right,
10:01we're going to see different sets and different actions for the team
10:04than we've seen before.
10:06Jalen Brunson, as you mentioned, is going to be playing a little bit off the ball.
10:10You've seen him a little bit in the corner at times,
10:14so you've seen Jalen Brunson playing a little bit off the ball.
10:17How do you think that Jalen Brunson is going to play off the ball
10:22after being so ball dominant for so long during his Knicks tenure,
10:27and do you think it's going to bode well for him personally
10:30and also the Knicks as a team?
10:33I think there's a chance that him and Mike Brown bump heads
10:36at some point during this season.
10:37Really?
10:37Because Jalen Brunson is a guy who likes to work on his game.
10:41He likes to work on his skill set.
10:42He likes to have the basketball in his hands.
10:44He loves to be in the gym.
10:46He loves to work on skill.
10:47That's Jalen Brunson.
10:48And when you're one of those guys, you want the basketball in your hands,
10:50and he had that last season.
10:52Now, more ball movement, more player movement.
10:56I think it brings your ceiling higher,
10:57but there is a chance that Mike Brown and Jalen Brunson can bump heads
11:00during this season.
11:01And you heard it here first on New York Got Game.
11:05I like the pump of the shell.
11:06But my pushback to that is going to be...
11:10I want to hear that.
11:11I'm pushing back.
11:11My pushback to that is Jalen Brunson's a player who has adapted to whatever
11:18situation in his career.
11:19He's played off-ball with a ball dominant guy in Luka Doncic on a team that also
11:23had Spencer Dinwiddie.
11:25He did.
11:25And he was fine.
11:26He did.
11:27The question I'll throw back to you,
11:29do you believe Jalen Brunson's all about winning?
11:32He's all about winning.
11:33But it goes back to that question, right?
11:35Like, I asked you, Dexter, would you rather get 30 and lose or one and win?
11:40Me, personally, I'd rather get 30 and lose, bro.
11:44What?
11:45I want to get buckets.
11:48If you get buckets and lose, what does it matter?
11:50You're a loser.
11:50If you get one and win, nobody cares about you.
11:54If you hit the one free throw and it won the game.
11:56Okay, now you're changing context.
11:58I am changing context.
11:59No, but in all seriousness, like, I don't know.
12:01I just think it will be a tough adjustment for Brunson,
12:04and I'm seeing a little bit of it now.
12:05I'm seeing the sprinkles.
12:07I don't think that you're wrong on that.
12:10He's really harping on that long journey thing.
12:12Like, you could be, I understand you've got to be, like, PC
12:15and just give, like, there's other ways to go PC.
12:17You don't think he really believes in it being a long journey
12:19and being a process?
12:19No, it will be a long journey, but I do believe part of that long journey,
12:23he wants it to be that there will be some of that heliocentric,
12:27I'm an engine type Knicks offense that we've seen.
12:31And then mix in a little bit of that ball movement and player movement
12:33and not all be about that, right?
12:36Look, I know in the regular season he's going to have the basketball.
12:39I just think at times he's going to be, like, the rhythm is going to be hard.
12:42When you have the basketball in your hands, you always have rhythm.
12:44I think he's good enough of a player.
12:47He's a great player.
12:48I agree.
12:49I think that he's a great player enough that he's going to recognize
12:51what needs to be done for the team, what's also best for him.
12:54And, like, I know it feels good having the ball in your hand.
12:58I understand that you get the rhythm.
13:00I understand all that.
13:01But you know what also feels good?
13:02Being fresh when you have the ball in your hand down the stretch.
13:04100%.
13:04So you're not as burnt out, particularly in the playoffs.
13:07100%.
13:07I think that matters a lot.
13:09Here's the thing.
13:10Like, it's a sacrifice that has to be made to win a championship.
13:13But what if you make the sacrifice and don't win the championship?
13:17You try again.
13:19It's like, oh, Jalen Brunson fell off.
13:21He hears that, bro.
13:22He's in media.
13:22He has a podcast.
13:24He hears all that.
13:26Listen.
13:28You do podcasts.
13:29I do podcasts.
13:29We do content.
13:30Brunson does podcasts.
13:32If you look at – if you're going to – let's say Jalen Brunson,
13:36his points per game average drops two and a half to three points per game.
13:39No, no.
13:40It could drop more than that.
13:41If you think that he fell off because of that,
13:44because it's all about buckets for you, then I think you're wrong.
13:47I agree with that.
13:48And I feel like you're not understanding basketball.
13:50I agree with that.
13:50If he's more efficient this year and the team is winning more,
13:53that's all that matters.
13:54I want him more – I want him as a –
13:55I mean, Jalen Brunson's a highly efficient player.
13:58Can he be more efficient?
13:59Absolutely.
13:59Look, what if you're the man?
14:01You took a pay cut.
14:02Unless Pablo Torre comes after him, we don't know what's going to happen with that.
14:05You got less shots, too.
14:07You're a wild.
14:12You can't be putting out stuff like that.
14:16Now you got the Knicks, people thinking the Knicks have different payments going on.
14:20I didn't say anything.
14:21I was just, you know, plugging up Pablo Torre.
14:24Don't give Pablo any more ideas.
14:25Pablo might start looking for a new story.
14:27Yeah, man.
14:27No, that was a joke.
14:29That was a joke.
14:29But, like, he took a pay cut, legit.
14:31Like we're saying, he took a pay cut.
14:32Now less shots.
14:33And then you don't even win a championship.
14:35I'm a little upset, man.
14:36I'm a little upset.
14:37Here's what I want to say about winning a championship.
14:39Yeah.
14:40It's a long journey.
14:41It's a long journey.
14:41That's what he's saying.
14:42I think he's saying it's a long journey for us to win a championship and give you the ball.
14:46Because I'm Jalen Brunson and this is my team.
14:48I still think he gets the ball when it happens.
14:50Of course, he's going to get the ball a lot.
14:52But what was his average last year?
14:54I think his average was just 24, just under 25.
14:57Okay, yeah.
14:57Like, if I'm in my prime and I go from 25 to 19, I'm like –
15:01He's not going from 25 to 19.
15:04I don't see that.
15:0625 to 19?
15:07It's possible.
15:07Because Mikel's going to have a year, man.
15:09I'm telling you.
15:10You've got Mikel going up to 22.
15:11Yeah.
15:12It's one of the numbers to watch for this.
15:13Yeah, I think Mikel might be their leading scorer.
15:16See, I think you're just being spicy now.
15:18No, I'm serious.
15:19Like, for what I'm saying, your preseason, I know it's early.
15:22All right.
15:22Mikel Bridges might be there.
15:23He's having the best preseason out of any Nick.
15:25He's a better two-way player than Brunson, too.
15:28Yeah.
15:28Yeah, yeah, yeah.
15:29Not a better overall player.
15:30He's a better two-way player, for sure.
15:32Mikel Bridges – well, this is why a lot of the talk with Bridges –
15:35and you last year, I remember before the season, you came on with me
15:38and we talked about how impactful he needed to be and all this stuff.
15:41And he did not have a good year last year during the regular season.
15:44He came up big in the playoffs.
15:45I am also inclined to agree with you.
15:47I think he is going to have a really good year.
15:49Yes.
15:49I just think this offense suits his game incredibly well,
15:53and I think we will see that.
15:55Now.
15:56Yeah.
15:57Knicks have a roster.
15:58They have some continuity,
15:59but we have to get to something that came up last week.
16:03You know this.
16:04There's been a lot of rumblings.
16:05A lot of rumblings.
16:06A lot of potential Giannis move for the Knicks in the future.
16:11Two-part question for me here.
16:13One, do the Knicks need Giannis?
16:17And do those rumblings impact your confidence in the Knicks' long-term window,
16:23or do they only fuel your win-now belief that they're going to win now?
16:27Like, which one is it?
16:29Because if you think the Giannis move is around the window –
16:31Great call.
16:32Right?
16:32Yeah.
16:33Is that impacting how you feel about things now?
16:36And then don't forget the first part.
16:37Do they need Giannis?
16:38They don't need Giannis, I think.
16:41And to harp on your point, I think that's another red flag.
16:45Like, was I in the trade talks?
16:46You know, right in preseason?
16:48Players think about that.
16:49It's a distraction.
16:50You're saying it's a distraction.
16:51It's a distraction.
16:51It's a distraction.
16:52No matter what they say, it's a distraction.
16:54You know?
16:56And it could have been Kat in those talks.
16:58It could have been Mikel.
17:00But I think the Knicks will win the championship this year.
17:03But if they don't win, they should trade Jalen Brunson for Giannis.
17:07Engine for engine.
17:09You are trolling.
17:09I'm not trolling.
17:11I'm saying if you're going to get Giannis, I don't think you should get Giannis.
17:14But listen, listen, listen.
17:16The fit with Giannis and Brunson is not a good fit.
17:19It's two engines.
17:20You heard James Harden.
17:21I am the system.
17:23Giannis is a system.
17:24Brunson is a system.
17:25Now, if you put them two together and you have to trade Mikel and Kat,
17:29you gutted your whole depth, it doesn't make sense with those two.
17:31We just saw Dame Lillard and Giannis not work, two engines.
17:36Giannis is the engine now.
17:38And the team will be better defensively.
17:40I think if you lose this season, you trade Brunson for Giannis in a three-team deal
17:44that lands Brunson with the Rockets.
17:48The Knicks are going to trade their captain.
17:50Well, they're going to win a championship.
17:52I'm just saying if they don't win a championship.
17:54If they don't win a championship, they're not trading their captain.
17:56Here's my caveats.
17:57Here's my caveats.
17:58Here's my caveats.
17:59Yes, go ahead.
17:59They're going to win a championship this year.
18:01If they don't and they have their mindset on Giannis, mindset,
18:05we have to get Giannis, the move is Brunson for fit reasons.
18:10They're both engines.
18:11They're not going to work well together.
18:12Let me ask you this, too.
18:15I don't think the Knicks need Giannis.
18:16I'm with you.
18:17Yeah.
18:18I'm saying if you have your mindset, that has to be the move.
18:20To get Giannis, you would have to gut this team.
18:24You don't have to gut it if you trade Brunson.
18:27But Brunson's not enough.
18:28Giannis makes $50 million a year.
18:30You've got to get the salary to get a little closer.
18:31Well, you go Pacom Dottier, Miles Bridges.
18:34No, you're probably going to have to put a Josh Hart in there.
18:36But is that what they do?
18:37Oh, the roommates.
18:37The roommates in Milwaukee.
18:39Yeah.
18:39They can eat some cheese, have some beer.
18:42Some cheese curds.
18:42Yeah, yeah.
18:43I'll tell you what.
18:44The roommates don't want to be in Milwaukee.
18:46I'll tell you that.
18:46Yeah, yeah, yeah.
18:47That's a fact.
18:47They don't want to be in Milwaukee.
18:48That's a fact.
18:48No shit.
18:48Well, how about the Rockets, though?
18:49That might be a good mix.
18:50Josh Hart, KD.
18:51We'll see what happens.
18:52But go ahead, Dexter.
18:53The point I was going to make to it is, I agree with you, the Knicks don't need Giannis.
18:58Yes.
18:58And I have concerns about Giannis anyway coming to the Knicks.
19:01Giannis is a player who's still fantastic.
19:04He's a top four player in the league.
19:06Yes.
19:07But can't shoot.
19:08I don't see his game aging well as he gets older.
19:11I don't like that for the Knicks long term.
19:15A big who can't shoot, who's, you know, going to lose a step or two.
19:20It's like, is he going to be a bigger Russell Westbrook?
19:22Is that what we're looking at?
19:23How do you feel about, you know, Giannis, wing stop, space in the floor, playing defense?
19:29Defensively, they'll be ridiculous.
19:31We saw Cat and Rudy do really well together.
19:33We saw Giannis and Brooke Lopez do really good together in two big lineups.
19:37How are you thinking about that?
19:39With Giannis as your engine instead of Jalen Brunson.
19:43Just think about that.
19:44That's a crazy team.
19:44I'm going to say this.
19:45Maybe this is spicy.
19:47Maybe this is the hot take.
19:50I don't trust Giannis as my engine as things get older.
19:54I don't.
19:55Brunson is younger.
19:56Yeah.
19:57This is why I wouldn't do that trade.
19:59I wouldn't do that trade either.
19:59I'm just saying if you have to do it, you go that way for fit reasons.
20:04And then also, I'm telling you, I'm telling you, I'm putting it all together here.
20:06Mike Brown, Brunson, butting heads.
20:09They want to bring Giannis in.
20:10I'm telling you.
20:11You're just out here trying to put some drama on the team.
20:13No, I'm just, I told you, my prediction is the Knicks win a championship.
20:16I'm just cautioning Knicks fans about the potential dangers of this season.
20:21You got to look at it.
20:22The gift and a curse, like Jay-Z.
20:23There's a gift and a curse.
20:25All right.
20:26You might have mentioned, maybe this is your guy.
20:28Maybe this is a different one.
20:29Okay.
20:29But if you had to point to one player outside of Brunson, because you talked about how important
20:34he'll be and how he could play on the ball, off the ball, et cetera.
20:38But if you had to point to a player outside of Brunson who could be the X factor in making
20:42a title run happen for the Knicks, who is it and why?
20:47Jordan Clarkson.
20:49X factor.
20:50X factor.
20:51Every great team needs a six man.
20:54Vinny Microwave Johnson, Jason Terry.
20:57Jordan Clarkson is that guy.
20:58He's the team's only hooper, as I told you.
21:00They have a lot of basketball players, but Jordan Clarkson is their only hooper.
21:03And this team desperately needed a guy that could heat things up off the bench.
21:09A Jamal Crawford, Lou Williams type player, not as good as them, but he's that.
21:13And he'll be that for the New York Knicks.
21:14And if he has a great season, it's going to bode really well for this New York Knicks team.
21:18What's a great season for Jordan Clarkson?
21:20Off the bench, 15, four and four.
21:2315 might be hard for him off the bench.
21:25He's tough.
21:26He got everything.
21:27He's got games.
21:27He's skilled.
21:28He's athletic.
21:28He has height.
21:29He can get a shot up.
21:30This is why D'Lo's still in the league, because he can get a shot up.
21:32It's important.
21:34That's a little bit of a...
21:35He can also get a shot up and start breaking a bunch.
21:37No, no, too.
21:37But getting shots up is important.
21:39That's a little bit of the Miles McBride problem.
21:41He can't get shots up.
21:42He's not as good as a creator.
21:43Yeah.
21:44Like, you've got to be able to get shots up in the league.
21:46I agree.
21:47And something I think you and I talked about in your show was that when you looked at the
21:51Knicks bench production, particularly in the playoffs where they struggled, man, it
21:55was rough, right?
21:56You just didn't have a guy that can go get you a bucket.
21:59Right.
21:59Jordan Clarkson could do that.
22:00Yes.
22:00So, you look at him as an X factor for that bench.
22:02You think he sets the tone in a way.
22:04Yeah, yeah.
22:04And I want him to be the sixth man.
22:05I think he's the most talented guy off the bench this year.
22:09The most talented.
22:10You like Josh Hart coming off the bench?
22:13I actually like Josh Hart as a starter, but you can't start him because you need Mitch
22:19there because Brunson and Cat is not good on defense.
22:25Right.
22:26Like, Cat anchoring a defense is no bueno.
22:28Right.
22:29Right.
22:29It's not.
22:30It's not good.
22:31And then the other problem for me with Hart is you have my, I've talked about this with
22:34Brian Fonseca here on the show, you have him out there as another non-shooter, especially
22:38if you start Mitch.
22:39It just couldn't work.
22:41So, I like the double big lineup.
22:43I like it.
22:43I've kind of come around.
22:44I know CP was really big on it, and I kind of like, talking to people around the league,
22:48they're telling me like, and I thought about this before then, that you can't have Cat
22:52anchoring your defense with Brunson as the other best player that needs to play major
22:56minutes.
22:57It's just not going to work.
22:57And Cat looks more comfortable now.
22:59I know it's preseason.
23:00He slimmed down to play the four, right?
23:01He's looked better.
23:03You know what I mean?
23:03He's looked better than that.
23:04So, look, I know you're confident that the Knicks are going to win it all.
23:07The Knicks are going to win it all.
23:07You said it with your chest.
23:08Yes.
23:08You're confident.
23:09Yes.
23:09Do you have any concerns, any red flags about the 2025, 2026 New York Knicks?
23:14Are there any concerns that you have?
23:16Yeah, I think you talked about one of them when it's those trade talks.
23:19Does that get in the locker room's head?
23:20Like, was I in trade talks?
23:21And then it's the Brunson-Mike Brown dynamic with this team shifting more to player movement
23:26and ball movement and a little less hero ball from Brunson.
23:29How will Brunson adjust to that is a huge X factor for this team.
23:32How many games do you feel like you need to see from there?
23:37We're going to see it quick.
23:39Real quick.
23:39See what quick?
23:40The fact that they are.
23:40If it's going to work with Brunson or it's not.
23:42Oh, it's not.
23:43I think it's real quick.
23:44I think that I usually say with all these things of basketball, get to 25 games or so.
23:51I like to see what you got with the team.
23:53I don't want to jump too early.
23:55But I think we'll know about then.
23:58Yeah, definitely.
23:58What this team looks like.
23:59That's fair.
24:00I think there's going to be some growing pains with the offense.
24:02You're going to see some things that look good.
24:04It's not going to look good.
24:05But I do think it's the right.
24:07They're playing the way they need to play.
24:09Yeah.
24:09For the two guys they have on this team.
24:11Look, I think the Knicks are going to win a championship.
24:13What do you think the outcome will be at the end of the season?
24:17I think the Knicks have a very good shot of winning a championship.
24:20I'm not giving my prediction yet.
24:21You'll get that next week.
24:22Okay.
24:23But I'm going to say this.
24:26Because, again, I understand some people are going to watch this conversation between me and Combo.
24:31And they're going to see the title of this episode.
24:32They're going to say, this is crazy.
24:35I think for the first time in a long time, the most anticipated Knicks season, 30 years, three decades, that statement is not crazy.
24:44The Knicks absolutely can win.
24:45100%.
24:46The title this year.
24:47Absolutely can win the title this year.
24:48And another thing we didn't talk about yet.
24:49Their four best guys are in their prime window.
24:52Yeah, which I think matters.
24:53I think windows are smaller now in the NBA, in this second apron world.
24:56The windows are smaller.
24:57Which is also why I don't think it's crazy.
24:59No, they're not old.
25:01They're in their prime.
25:02They're not young and inexperienced.
25:03They're right there where they're supposed to be when it comes to age.
25:06Like, they've done a really great job with building this roster.
25:09Like, incremental moves over the course of time without name chasing.
25:12That's why they shouldn't trade for Giannis.
25:14I happen to agree with that.
25:15Yeah.
25:16But here's the thing.
25:18Knicks fans, and we are native New Yorkers, and we know this, they've been through decades
25:23of hope.
25:25They've also been through decades of hurt.
25:27We've seen that.
25:28So, what should give them confidence that this year's team is, I'm going to take a word,
25:33you talked about how the team is built.
25:35This year's team is built different.
25:37Because that's what Knicks, I think fans are going to look at and say, all right, Combo,
25:40I see your confidence, you like this, but how is this different than what I've seen
25:45in the past?
25:46How is this different?
25:46Let's take it 30 years ago to 1995, and that was a different basketball era and all
25:49this stuff.
25:50But I think it's the last time the Knicks fan really had hope that this team could go
25:54all the way and do it, and they got their heart broken.
25:57Why is this team built different?
25:58Yeah, no major shakeups, adding pieces over the course of time, not name chasing.
26:03And then the East is wide open, as I said, with no Halliburton, no Tatum.
26:06I think they're going to make the finals.
26:08I think OKC gets there, but I don't think OKC has the experience yet to repeat.
26:13I think there is a chance for a dynasty.
26:14Obviously, with the second apron and the first apron, it's hard to keep teams together.
26:18But I don't think that they'll have the experience to repeat.
26:22It's a really tough thing to do.
26:24And then I think the Knicks win it all.
26:25I would say, if you're going against Jokic, who now has Bruce Brown back, who has Tim Hardaway Jr.,
26:34and they have Cam Johnson, that's a tough team if they get it together.
26:37So, that would be scary for the Knicks, I think.
26:39But if OKC gets there, I think the Knicks will win it all.
26:42I like Denver out the West, too.
26:43Yeah, Denver.
26:44I mean, Jokic keeps getting better.
26:45Like, his one weakness was three-point shooting, and then he shot like crazy last year.
26:49Like, he's honestly one of the greatest players to ever live.
26:51But I could see OKC getting back there, too.
26:53Yeah, yeah, yeah.
26:53That wouldn't shock me.
26:54I think that's actually better for the Knicks, because Jokic is, oh, man.
26:56You don't like that matchup at all.
26:58I don't like Jokic.
26:58Yeah.
26:59Yeah, that's tough.
27:00I hear you on that.
27:01He's ridiculous.
27:03I've talked about this a lot, too, with Brian Fonseca on this show.
27:06We've talked about, and Stephan Bondi, our great Knicks beat writer here,
27:09we've talked about this season being championship or bust for the Knicks.
27:12And I think the front office and the organization has definitely made it seem like this.
27:16How would you define success if they fall short here?
27:20Is it championship or bust, or is there sort of a gradual step that you look at with the Knicks
27:28in terms of even if they fall short, they kind of made the right step towards if they get to the finals and lose?
27:35But they did that.
27:35It's like progression in the right way.
27:38Is it not successful if they don't win the championship?
27:41Well, if you actually lose the championship, you shouldn't look at it as a total failure.
27:46You should look at it as a learning experience from a philosophical point of view.
27:49But to me, it's championship or bust, because this is going to be their best chance.
27:53If I'm on the team, it's not an absolute failure.
27:55Like, I'm looking for ways for us to get better, to win it next year.
27:59But in Combo's point of view, it's championship or bust, because this is going to be their best chance, I think.
28:04They're all in their prime window.
28:06I told you the East is wide open because of all the injuries.
28:08And I don't think OKC will repeat because of their inexperience, even though they won a championship.
28:12So I think this is the year they have to win.
28:15And then once they win, people will want to play there.
28:17And then maybe they can win again and again and kind of build a dynasty here in New York.
28:20Oh, I see. Now you have to use the D word.
28:22Now we're out here talking about dynasty.
28:25It could go either way.
28:27It could go either way.
28:28It could go boom and bust with this Knicks team.
28:30We gave you the red flags, and then I gave you the predictions.
28:32You did give me the red flag.
28:33You did give me the prediction.
28:35OK, we're going to go to the last question here.
28:38Oh, we're already done, man.
28:39I can do this for two more hours.
28:40I mean, we had a lot to read and you talked about.
28:43Let me enjoy the moment.
28:44Yeah, you got to stay in the moment.
28:46OK, so if you are right, let's say that you're right.
28:50Let's say that the Knicks win it all.
28:53By the way, can I just say this?
28:54Uh-oh, here we go.
28:55I said so to the Mets on your show.
28:57You did.
28:58I told you what the decision 2.0 would be on my show.
29:02You said it would be from some brand.
29:03You were right about that.
29:04Yes, and now I'm saying the Knicks will win a championship.
29:07Combo Stradamus?
29:08That's what we're calling you now?
29:09Let's go, baby.
29:10I always knew I was a prophet, but I couldn't find a decent job.
29:14Jay-Z, let's go.
29:15All right, let's go.
29:16Sorry.
29:16I'm always here for the Jay-Z bars.
29:19There's no problem.
29:20Jay-Z or Nas?
29:21My two favorite rappers of all time, but Jay-Z is the GOAT.
29:24OK, I respect that.
29:25I agree.
29:26I agree.
29:26My two favorites of all time.
29:27Jadakiss is the GOAT, I think, as a rapper.
29:29I think he's the best rapper to ever live.
29:31People have better bodies at work, but just in terms of rapping, he's the best to ever do it.
29:35But we'll proceed.
29:36Jadakiss might be mad.
29:37I don't have him in his top five, but update Jadakiss.
29:40Top five, dead or alive, and that's just off one LP.
29:42I'm not.
29:43Jadakiss, I love you, but you're not.
29:45OK.
29:46Jadakiss not my top five.
29:47I love Jadakiss.
29:48In my opinion, it's just his opinion.
29:49It's just mine.
29:50Hey, we got a spicier takes on the show.
29:52Like, the Knicks are going to win the championship.
29:53Yeah, yeah, yeah.
29:54You got to let us know if you agree or not.
29:55But if you are right, and the Knicks do win it all, what do you think is going to be the
30:03one headline that you hope to read about next June that will tell you the story of this
30:10team's journey?
30:14Dynasty in the Making.
30:16Ooh.
30:17So you think that if they win it all, the headlines will be, it's going to be in the
30:22back page of the Post.
30:24This is the Dynasty in the Making.
30:25This is something sustainable.
30:27This is something you can see going on for years.
30:29100%, because they're in their prime window.
30:32And they're professionals.
30:33Mikel's a professional.
30:34Jalen's a professional.
30:35Kat's a professional.
30:37They're all, OG's a professional.
30:38Like, remember I said Jordan Clarkson's a Hooper?
30:41Yeah.
30:41You got to be worried about the Hoopers' longevity, right?
30:44But these guys are professional basketball players.
30:47You know?
30:47And I think that that bodes well when you're talking Dynasty.
30:51I think if they win this year, they'll be able to get those vet minimum deals where people
30:55want to ring chase with the Knicks.
30:57And I think it's a Dynasty in the Making.
30:59I think they're more experienced than OKC to really start that Dynasty up this year.
31:03So Dynasty in the Making.
31:05What do you think the reaction is going to be from people that hear your take here today?
31:13Like, the New Yorker that's a basketball fan.
31:16They just don't want to be hurt.
31:17That's what it is.
31:19Are you saying that people are scared to say what you're saying?
31:22They're scared.
31:23People are scared.
31:23They know what's happening, though.
31:24It's a Dynasty in the Making.
31:27I'm telling you, Dexter.
31:27I'm saying there's shook ones out there.
31:29Shook ones out there.
31:30Mobb Deep.
31:31Shouts to them.
31:32Shouts to Mobb Deep.
31:33Yeah.
31:34Your album's dropped.
31:35Infinite.
31:35OK.
31:36OK.
31:36You're on it.
31:37OK.
31:39I do think.
31:40But you have to understand that, though.
31:43The trepidation from the Knicks fan to not want to go out there.
31:46Knicks fans are always mad at me, Dexter.
31:47Because I said Cade was better than Jalen Brunson.
31:49I remember when you said that.
31:51He might be the MVP this year.
31:53He had 26, 6, and 6 in preseason.
31:58I mean, do you think the Pistons are going to win enough games?
32:01Yes.
32:03Pistons are dangerous.
32:04How many wins do you have for the Knicks this year?
32:0856.
32:09Yeah, I like that.
32:10I have them in the 55 to 58 range.
32:12Yeah, 56.
32:13OK.
32:13Yeah, because you know they're not going to try and win every single regular season game.
32:16That was a Tibbs thing.
32:18They're not playing it that way.
32:18Yeah, yeah, yeah.
32:19I don't see that at all.
32:19As they should not play it that way, right.
32:21But you have the Knicks winning it all.
32:24They're winning it all, Dexter.
32:25You're not scared.
32:26Not scared.
32:27Never scared.
32:28Never scared.
32:28We're the bone crusher.
32:29I was about to say that, man.
32:31We got the same bonds.
32:32We got the hip-hop bonds going on.
32:33We got the hip-hop bonds going on.
32:34We got the hip-hop bonds going on.
32:34We're the bone crusher.
32:35We should start a hip-hop show, me and you.
32:37We should do that.
32:37I used to do a hip-hop podcast with my guy Brian Fonseca.
32:39That was good.
32:40I'm an A&R 12 podcast.
32:41Everybody wants to check it out.
32:42I'm here for it.
32:42I'm here for it.
32:43So you got the Knicks winning.
32:44Yeah.
32:45Do you think it's going to be a good year in New York?
32:47They're going to be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy.
32:49And you know what it's going to say on the New York Post?
32:51I told you already.
32:52It's a dynasty in the making.
32:53Yeah.
32:53They got to give you credit if that's the headline.
32:57They got to put like a little asterisk and say combo set it.
32:59Send a check in the mail, Dexter.
33:01I can't promise you all that.
33:04Okay.
33:04I can show them the clip.
33:05Okay, okay, okay.
33:05I can't promise you that you're going to get paid.
33:08I can show them the clip.
33:09I can try and do that.
33:12But it's good.
33:13Hey, combo out here making spicy predictions.
33:17He loves the Gen Z's.
33:19I like Gen Z.
33:20I love working with Gen Z.
33:21Gen Z are the best.
33:22Good vibes.
33:23Aura, Riz.
33:24I know all their lingo.
33:26Come on, man.
33:28I'm honorary Gen Z.
33:29I think, you know what?
33:30Gen Z thinks I'm Gen Z.
33:32Like, people in my family don't believe Gen Z thinks I'm Gen Z.
33:36But they do.
33:37They're like, you're that age?
33:38I'm not going to say my age on air.
33:39But they're like, really?
33:40I thought you were one of us.
33:42Go ahead.
33:42You got good vibes.
33:44Maybe follow his good vibes.
33:45He said the Knicks are going to win.
33:46We are going to see what the Knicks do.
33:47Either way, look, combo.
33:49I think it's going to be a very exciting season.
33:51Very exciting.
33:52Coming up.
33:52I'm really excited for it.
33:54Everybody check out Andrew Salop, also known as Combo.
33:58Combo's Court.
33:59Check out the podcast.
33:59It's a good one.
34:00I was on a recent episode.
34:01Yes, you were.
34:02Check that out.
34:03Always good takes from this man at all whatsoever.
34:06He'll always give you some good takes.
34:08Spicy or not.
34:09Bland.
34:09The truth.
34:09Whatever you want.
34:10The truth is spicy.
34:10He said he'll give you the truth.
34:11What's your one bold prediction about the New York Knicks this season?
34:15Oh.
34:16My bold prediction about the New York Knicks this season.
34:19Bold.
34:19What's a bold prediction about the New York Knicks this season?
34:22Let me see.
34:24You want to hear my bold?
34:25Of course I do.
34:26Here we go.
34:26Now, my bold prediction is you said Cade Cunningham will win MVP.
34:32Cade Cunningham will win MVP this year.
34:34You also said he's better than Jalen Brunson.
34:36He's definitely better than Jalen Brunson.
34:38Jalen Brunson has a way better team surrounding him.
34:40And I'm going to say this.
34:42Jalen Brunson, MVP this year.
34:44That's very bold.
34:45You asked me for a bold take.
34:50They're going away from Brunson hero ball.
34:52I don't see it.
34:52But, you see, why does somebody have to play hero balls to win MVP?
34:57It's about the stats, bro.
34:57It's about the narrative.
34:58You need the stats to win MVP.
34:59You need the stats.
35:01I think there's a way in which you're going to see.
35:03You see the stats that SGA and Jokic put up?
35:05They're ridiculous.
35:06I don't think Brunson's.
35:07That Jokic puts up?
35:08I don't think Brunson's point per game average is going down as much as people think it's going to be.
35:12I don't think that's going to happen.
35:15I think it's actually going to be quite about the same.
35:17You think it's going to be the same but more effortless?
35:19Yes, I do.
35:20I think it's going to be so efficient.
35:21You know Jokic was top three in steals, points, assists, and rebounds?
35:27Nobody ever did that before.
35:28He's going to do that again.
35:29He keeps getting better.
35:30That's the MVP every year.
35:31That should be the MVP every year, Dexter.
35:32I mean, there's a case that Jokic could have won MVP last year, and he did not.
35:36He should have won MVP.
35:36No matter who wins the award, Jokic is the most valuable player in basketball.
35:40I don't disagree with you on that.
35:42I'm not disagreeing with you on that.
35:43I should agree with you on that.
35:45I'm just saying, I think narrative plays a lot to it.
35:48If the Knicks have the ascending narrative that you said, and Jalen Brunson is a front
35:52and center best face of this team that transforms offensively and looks and is playing like
35:58a unit of a championship team by the time we get there, I think Jalen Brunson, and Jalen
36:02Brunson's highly efficient, and I do think also his assist numbers are going to go up.
36:06Okay.
36:06His assist percentage numbers are going to go up.
36:08Okay.
36:09I think Jalen Brunson has got a great chance.
36:11He was fifth in MVP voting two seasons ago in a much more heliocentric offense.
36:16I think when he's playing in a much better offense, we look at SGA and him cooking, but
36:24he gets to play with other dudes.
36:25He's not burnt out, and I think that matters.
36:28I like your take.
36:29I think it's up to Mike Brown not only to bring in the ball movement, the player movement,
36:33but make sure he gets his as well, Jalen Brunson, right?
36:36I love Jalen Brunson.
36:37Knicks fans think he's prime Michael Jordan, though.
36:40Knicks fans think Jalen Brunson is prime Michael Jordan.
36:42I think the Knicks fan thinks that Jalen Brunson, and I think this is fair, I think that they
36:47think he is the best player they've had on this team clearly since Patrick DeWitt.
36:53Well, he's not a better basketball player than Carmelo Anthony.
36:56He might end up being a better Knick than Carmelo Anthony.
37:00Yes.
37:01If he wins a championship, I mean, he wins a championship, but...
37:04I mean, he's already had a better playoff career than Carmelo Anthony.
37:06That's not even debatable.
37:10He's got more playoff moments than Carmelo.
37:12He's not a better basketball player, though.
37:14That sounds like I'm shading Melo, because I'm not shading Melo, because I think Melo's
37:18dope player.
37:18He's one of the greatest scorers to ever live.
37:19Best of all time.
37:21I just think Jalen Brunson's a great leader, has great clutch playoff moments, has been
37:27further than him in the playoffs.
37:32I've got a quick one for you before we get out of here.
37:34I don't think we've ever talked about this.
37:35I've got to...
37:36See, now I'm extending this...
37:37I want to...
37:38I want to...
37:38The email said 1.30 a.m.
37:41That's how long I'm trying to stay here.
37:42That's what the email said.
37:43But anyway, go ahead, Dexter.
37:44We don't have people stay here after hours.
37:46I'm ready.
37:46I could do this all day.
37:47Go ahead, Dexter.
37:49Carmelo Anthony.
37:51He just went to the basketball...
37:52Not just went to.
37:52It was a little bit ago.
37:53A couple weeks...
37:54You know, six weeks ago, whatever.
37:55Went to Basketball Hall of Fame.
37:57Should his number be up in the rafters or MSD?
37:59Of course.
38:00Huh?
38:00He held down the franchise.
38:01I've asked a lot of people this as it comes here.
38:04Of course.
38:04Some people feel one way.
38:05Some people feel another.
38:06Three to the dome.
38:07Three to the dome.
38:08Let's get Melo's number up there in the rafters.
38:09Yeah, man.
38:10We got Melo, man.
38:11We got to see that.
38:11He reps Brooklyn?
38:12Yeah, come on.
38:13I'm not from Brooklyn, but he reps Brooklyn.
38:15I'm from Brooklyn.
38:16You are from Brooklyn.
38:17Shouts to Brooklyn, man.
38:18You better have said that.
38:19Shouts to Brooklyn.
38:20No shades to Brooklyn.
38:22You could have got up out of here.
38:24Yeah, yeah.
38:24You came with shades to Brooklyn.
38:25You could have got up out of here.
38:26But, hey, you asked me for my take.
38:27I gave you a little bit of a bold take.
38:29It was good.
38:29It was good.
38:30It was a bold take.
38:30We'll see.
38:31Maybe...
38:32Hey, there's a world where...
38:33You know what?
38:33If your take is right, Mike Brown has done a great job this year.
38:37I also might also add, if my take is right, it's also very likely your take could be right.
38:43You see how that all goes together?
38:44You see how we do it here at New York on Game?
38:46Both things can happen.
38:46Both things can happen, and it will be kind of dope.
38:48Yeah.
38:49But if both things don't happen, my Giannis take happens, and we don't want that to happen.
38:54I do not like your Giannis take.
38:55Yeah.
38:56I don't like it at all.
38:57But they could go back in the episode and hear it if they fast forward to the end.
39:00I don't know, but go ahead.
39:01They shouldn't fast forward to the end.
39:02That's another thing.
39:03You should also check out Combo's Court.
39:05Andrew Salip, he hosts it.
39:06Does a fantastic job with the podcast.
39:08He has tons of great takes.
39:09You need to check that out.
39:10Andrew, man, I appreciate you coming through and explaining to the people why you believe
39:15the Knicks are going to win a championship this year.
39:16The Knicks will win it all.
39:18Dynasty on the way.
39:19It'll say it in the New York Post when the season is over in June.
39:23Or was it July?
39:23June.
39:24June.
39:25There you go.
39:25July is a really good.
39:26You're talking about free 18 next year.
39:28We will see.
39:29Appreciate you, man.
39:29Anytime.
39:30Appreciate you.
39:31The Knicks are on fire.
39:34Okay, so if you've been watching the Knicks so far this preseason, you've seen something
39:39that feels different.
39:40I'm talking about movement, spacing, pace, and an actual flow to the offense that we simply
39:46did not see under Tom Thibodeau.
39:48And that's because in the preseason, new head coach Mike Brown, he's allowing his players
39:53to read and react to what defenses are giving them.
39:57And that's been a good thing.
39:58It's right.
39:58The Knicks, they're being taught to read and react, to trust instincts, to move the ball,
40:03cut, screen, and keep the defense guessing.
40:06Look, it's not perfect yet.
40:08Through three preseason games, you've seen the growing pains.
40:10You've seen some misreads.
40:11You've seen a few turnovers that make you shake your head, but you can already see how
40:16much freer this group looks offensively.
40:19For example, Jalen Brunson isn't just pounding the rock for 18 seconds anymore.
40:23He's coming off pin downs, running handoffs, even spotting up off the ball.
40:27And when he gets it back, it's quick decisions, not isolation dribbling.
40:31Guys like OG Ananobi and Mikkel Bridges, they're thriving in this pace, attacking open lanes
40:36instead of standing around.
40:37You've seen five-out spacing at times, with shooters stretching the floor, which is opening
40:41up driving lanes for Brunson and others.
40:44Mr. Robinson, he's looking bouncy and catching lobs against.
40:48Knicks fans, that's an energy play that you missed a ton last season.
40:52And what's wild is that the Knicks are undefeated in this preseason, and they're not even close
40:57to a finished product.
40:58That's what should excite you.
41:00Brown's system isn't about running plays.
41:02It's about creating plays within plays.
41:05It's about trust, movement, and adaptability, something that can evolve deep into the season.
41:11After years of grinded-out basketball, this offense has finally had some rhythm and creativity.
41:17It's unpredictable, and for defenses, that's a nightmare.
41:20So, yes, it's still a work in progress.
41:23But for Knicks fans who've been waiting to see something fresh, something more modern and
41:27fun, this is the kind of progress that you can get behind.
41:30But if this continues to grow the way that it's trending, the Knicks won't just be tougher
41:34to defend.
41:35They might just be a whole new version of dangerous.
41:39That's going to do it for this week's episode of New York Got Games.
41:41Special thanks to the great people working behind the scenes.
41:44Producer Erica Block, Associate Producer and Technical Director Heather Bronsignore, Editor
41:49Eduardo Guerrero, and Production Assistants Tommy Cohen and Jessica Thiesing.
41:53I'm Dexter Henry.
41:54We will have much more coming your way this week on New York Got Games.
41:59And thanks for watching New York Got Game.
42:02Boom shakalaka!
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