The Knicks have one of the best ball-handling defenders in the NBA (Mosty Mikala) and two best off-the-ball defenders (AND Anunoby I Josha Harta).
What happens if you put all three in the same lineup?
“It could add a completely different element to our defense.” Tomka Thibodeau he said recently.
That element was on full display Wednesday in New York's preseason victory over Washington.
Bridges had three steals in 30 minutes; Anunoby and Hart each had two. Their versatility and switchability embarrassed the Wizards, as this video from @IQfor3 shows.
The Knicks totaled 16 steals and converted Washington turnovers more than 30 times.
Of course, it should be noted that the Wizards will be a bottom-five team in the NBA this season. Several of their turnovers on Wednesday were the result of unforced errors. Overall, preseason basketball has been pretty sloppy.
But even when you take all of these factors into account, the defense of Bridges, Hart and Anunoby was noteworthy.
“I think we're just learning better,” Bridges said after the game. “I think defensively we can be really good. We just need time and being around each other more, and training and playing pre-season games will help a lot.”
Bridges already had a feel for how to play Anunoby.
“I learned a lot from OG defensively last month and I told him that. Of course, all five of us are united defensively, but I know that if I screw up, everyone else will support me. especially the OGs,” Bridges said Wednesday. “If I screw up, it'll come from anywhere and I'll just read it and react.”
The Knicks, of course, relied on Bridges and Anunoby as a defensive tandem. In late June, they gave the Nets five first-round picks for Bridges, and a few days later they signed Anunoby to the largest contract in franchise history.
It looked like a pretty smart bet on Wednesday night.
TALK ABOUT CITIES
Cities of Charles Anthony he rebounded from his early shooting issues to finish his preseason debut at the Garden with 25 points.
“He stayed with it,” Thibodeau said after the game. “He started maybe with a little pressure, first time here. I like its appearance. Just be patient. At the end of the day, everything will fall into place. And so it happened. He stayed at it. This didn't discourage me, I thought he started focusing more on his playmaking which resulted in easier baskets.
Jalen Brunson and Towns matched each other in the third quarter; Brunson assisted on three of Towns' four field goals in the quarter. In the second quarter, Towns assisted on a play by Brunson.
“I'm glad it went the way it did today,” Towns said afterward. “There will be tough nights when I don't shoot well, especially at the Garden. Of course the pressure is different. Show your teammates and fans mental toughness, even when things aren't going well. I will take it both ways.” defensively or just finding a rhythm earlier rather than later in the game.”
FRIDAYS FOR PAT
As you might expect, Thibodeau is thrilled Patrick Ewing returning to the Knicks in an advisory role. “We're just excited about it,” Thibodeau said before Wednesday's game. “We obviously know how much he means to the organization and I think all his experiences will be invaluable to us. From being with me, to sharing my thoughts; sometimes he'll be here and other times' I'll be there remotely, watching the games and giving feedback.
“I also work with (team president) Leon (Rose) at the front desk and Wes (executive vice president Williama Wesleya); I think it can help from that perspective as well. … Obviously being a Hall of Fame player, one of the greatest Knicks of all time, (having) a former player's perspective, talking to our players and understanding that New York has been through everything here; his career obviously speaks for itself; Every year you felt like when he was healthy you had a chance to win.
Ewing will be a basketball ambassador and I will be working on the team and business side of the franchise this season.
NYK WAS ON JV
The Knicks have been in contact with the center Jonas Valanciunas during free agency.
“We had many conversations with different teams. New York (was) one of them, was included. So, you know, I am where I am now,” Valanciunas told SNY.
The Knicks pursued Valanciunas in early July Isaiah Hartenstein left for Oklahoma City. New York could offer Valanciunas up to $10 million over two years. He signed a three-year contract with the Wizards worth $30 million.
