Jalen Brunson appeared inward and took the blame as a result of that’s who he’s.
It’s what he’s executed since he turned the Knicks’ unquestioned chief and what he’ll proceed to do no matter who is admittedly at fault. However the sentiment he expressed after the Knicks’ 116-102 loss to the Celtics Saturday evening at Madison Sq. Backyard actually would have been higher served coming from his teammates.
“It doesn’t matter what I did,” Brunson mentioned after the sport. “We didn’t carry it tonight absolutely.”
It’s noble for Brunson to say “we” didn’t carry it, on an evening through which, individually, he definitely introduced it.
Regardless of being guarded by five-time NBA All-Defensive Group member Jrue Vacation and one-time All-Defensive Group member Derrick White, Brunson poured in 34 factors on 12 of 25 from the sector and 4 of 9 from 3-point vary, additionally including 9 assists.
“Man, he was baking Jrue and Derrick,” Josh Hart joked. “Nah, [Brunson’s] a man that, he doesn’t get sped up. Clearly, I performed with Jrue for a 12 months in New Orleans; to me, he’s one of the best defender I’ve seen. He has quickness, nice intuition, good palms, sturdy. We have been simply attempting to get him off [Brunson] as finest as we might, however [Brunson] is nice at having the ability to create his personal photographs. His footwork is nice, so he’s in a position to get to his photographs in several methods.”
Brunson’s brilliance was spoiled by tough offensive nights for many of his teammates.
And it’s beginning to change into thematic because the injury-riddled Knicks have misplaced 5 of their final six video games, turning a once-surging season into what has change into a regarding slide.
With out Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow), the Knicks seemingly have had one path to victory — Brunson carrying them there. However regardless of his continued dominance, Brunson has not been in a position to safe wins by himself.
The Knicks have requested Brunson to supply almost all of their offense throughout this stretch, and defenses have since realized that he’s the staff’s solely main menace on that facet of the ball, and have began to aggressively double-team and entice him.
In these six video games throughout this stretch, Brunson has posted a whopping 34.7 p.c utilization price — second amongst certified gamers within the NBA behind Jaren Jackson Jr. of the lowly Grizzlies.
Throughout Saturday evening’s loss, it skyrocketed to 39.6 p.c.
It’s a major enhance from his season-long 29.3 p.c utilization price, which — once they’re each wholesome — is sort of similar to Randle’s 28.7 p.c season-long utilization price.
There’s been little to make up for Randle’s lacking workload, and far of it has fallen on Brunson’s shoulders. And it’s repeatedly getting uncovered.
It’s much more obvious on the ends of video games, when opposing defenses have their finest defenders on the court docket and might hone in on Brunson much more. If Brunson can’t discover a shot, the Knicks have little Plan B.
“Jalen is gonna work,” Thibodeau mentioned Saturday. “[The Celtics are] superb defensively with that size on the rim, however Jalen is aware of the way to get to spots. I assumed within the first half, he moved round very well. Performed off the catch lots, in a position to get set. However then we hit that stretch [late in the game] the place they have been powerful on us.”
![Jalen Brunson can only do so much for the Knicks without Julius Randle and OG Anunoby.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/11-new-york-knicks-reacts-77146898.jpg?w=1024)
Brunson’s present workload isn’t sustainable, and can put on him down come playoff time if it continues.
And it’s not prefer it’s resulted in wins, both.
Put merely, with Randle and Anunoby’s returns definitely not imminent, the Knicks need to discover a method to get Brunson extra assistance on offense.
A lot of that accountability falls on Donte DiVincenzo and newcomers Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, who all mixed to shoot a woeful 9 of 30 from the sector Saturday evening.
With that sort of manufacturing round Brunson, the Knicks have little probability — irrespective of how nice Brunson is.
However nonetheless, Brunson will at all times discover a method to take blame.
“I acquired to be higher,” Brunson mentioned. “Plain and easy, from a vocal chief standpoint to not turning the ball over and simply being a greater decision-maker.”