A few additional thoughts on Brunson passing more: (1) maybe Brunson makes a leap but maybe the league adjusts and improved facilitating is necessary to keep opponents off balance; (2) getting Mitch some easy buckets would be a good thing; (3) getting Grimes more opportunities to either shoot 3’s at 40% or receive passes as he cuts would make the offense less predictable; and (4) citing Randle at 34% from the 3 is a bit misleading. He shot almost 38% on the road and 30% at home and 26.8 ppg on the road against 23.5 ppg at home. Figuring out how to get Randle comfortable and productive at home would go a long way to unlocking the team’s potential.
Hollywood Hanke making the newsletter! I absolutely forsee Brunson going for 28ppg w/9apg. Randle will take a haircut in ppg as he gets more C&S attempts as a result of more passing from Brunson....and RJ. Overall, I think we see a smidge more passing (& unfortunately turnovers) from the starters this year as Thibs loosens the reigns in his last season as HC.
Agreed. With the options the Knicks have now, there is no reason why the assist numbers should be the same as when Randle was playing Point Forward and surrounded by inferior players. But as another poster pointed out, that's basically where the Knicks are. That really does need to change.
Last year, the Knicks finished 22nd in passes made per game, 30th in potential assists, and 26th in ast to pass ratio. Not good.
The year prior, they were 20th in passes made and ranked exactly the same in both other categories.
The conclusion I draw from this is: it goes way beyond Brunson. I firmly believe they’d be better if he passed more, but
A) better in what capacity? They just had a historically-good regular season offense, and
B) Randle, Barrett, and Quickley could stand to pass more / move the ball with fewer dribbles, too.
Is this simply a characteristic of Thibs’ system? We know they prioritize low-turnover basketball, which means more ISO, especially later in the shot clock (which is why our potential assist numbers are so pathetic).
So I’m not sure this can change unless Thibs changes...though the deeper we go, the less sure I am about who is truly responsible. Last 15 games last year, the Knicks jumped to 13th in passes made and 20th in potential assists. Randle and Brunson missed time during that span, and obviously Hart had arrived via trade. Will the team pass more with Hart - and DiVincenzo - in NY for a full season? Will Brunson pass more with his two brothers here for a full season? Or is it simply that when he and Randle are healthy, this is the way the team plays?
Interesting data and good questions. It was one thing in 20-21 when the Knicks were so lacking in talent (and so injury depleted) that Randle was running the offense and was the top scorer. But last year's team had more talent and this year's team should be better still. Team has to share the ball more to make the ISO (which is still going to be a big part of the offense) less predictable and harder to defend against. That's not all on Brunson, but he has the ball in his hands the most and has the vision and handle to turn double teams into open shots for other players.
A few additional thoughts on Brunson passing more: (1) maybe Brunson makes a leap but maybe the league adjusts and improved facilitating is necessary to keep opponents off balance; (2) getting Mitch some easy buckets would be a good thing; (3) getting Grimes more opportunities to either shoot 3’s at 40% or receive passes as he cuts would make the offense less predictable; and (4) citing Randle at 34% from the 3 is a bit misleading. He shot almost 38% on the road and 30% at home and 26.8 ppg on the road against 23.5 ppg at home. Figuring out how to get Randle comfortable and productive at home would go a long way to unlocking the team’s potential.
The Obi resolution will probably help Randle at home.
Here’s hoping.
Hollywood Hanke making the newsletter! I absolutely forsee Brunson going for 28ppg w/9apg. Randle will take a haircut in ppg as he gets more C&S attempts as a result of more passing from Brunson....and RJ. Overall, I think we see a smidge more passing (& unfortunately turnovers) from the starters this year as Thibs loosens the reigns in his last season as HC.
#Mid3forLife
Anthony H - Thanks for the shoutout. If Brunson is at 9 assists, the Knicks’ offense will be great!
A lob to Mitch here, hit a cutting RJ there, Grimes or DDV spot up there it doesn't have to take a lot IMO. He averaged 6 apg in S1.
I agree. That needs to be the model. Looking at Brunson’s efficiency alone and saying he shouldn’t pass more misses the point.
He's got the ability and its the only option that would raise the ceiling of the offense
Agreed. With the options the Knicks have now, there is no reason why the assist numbers should be the same as when Randle was playing Point Forward and surrounded by inferior players. But as another poster pointed out, that's basically where the Knicks are. That really does need to change.
Giddy up!!!!! It’s game day!!!
As Clyde has often remarked: Sharing is caring.
Last year, the Knicks finished 22nd in passes made per game, 30th in potential assists, and 26th in ast to pass ratio. Not good.
The year prior, they were 20th in passes made and ranked exactly the same in both other categories.
The conclusion I draw from this is: it goes way beyond Brunson. I firmly believe they’d be better if he passed more, but
A) better in what capacity? They just had a historically-good regular season offense, and
B) Randle, Barrett, and Quickley could stand to pass more / move the ball with fewer dribbles, too.
Is this simply a characteristic of Thibs’ system? We know they prioritize low-turnover basketball, which means more ISO, especially later in the shot clock (which is why our potential assist numbers are so pathetic).
So I’m not sure this can change unless Thibs changes...though the deeper we go, the less sure I am about who is truly responsible. Last 15 games last year, the Knicks jumped to 13th in passes made and 20th in potential assists. Randle and Brunson missed time during that span, and obviously Hart had arrived via trade. Will the team pass more with Hart - and DiVincenzo - in NY for a full season? Will Brunson pass more with his two brothers here for a full season? Or is it simply that when he and Randle are healthy, this is the way the team plays?
This comment got me thinking. Good stuff. Will revisit at some point.
Interesting data and good questions. It was one thing in 20-21 when the Knicks were so lacking in talent (and so injury depleted) that Randle was running the offense and was the top scorer. But last year's team had more talent and this year's team should be better still. Team has to share the ball more to make the ISO (which is still going to be a big part of the offense) less predictable and harder to defend against. That's not all on Brunson, but he has the ball in his hands the most and has the vision and handle to turn double teams into open shots for other players.