I want to point out that KAT is also playing much better under Thibs than he’s played before.

I don’t think this is true. KAT was pretty dominant in the first round vs Phoenix last year, and he was even a two-way force in the Nuggets series.

It could seem true if you compare KAT through 4 games to KAT through all three rounds last year. But why would anyone do that?

Knicks are shooting -4.8% against Cade.

Again, I’m not saying Cade is better, but Brunson is really bad at defense.

Cunningham 24
Brunson 10

Yeah, Cade might be the best player in this series lol

Very happy that he made the HOF and had his number retired, he was a heck of a player and an even better dude, particularly post-career. Here’s a great short tribute video with quotes from Bill Bradley and Clyde.

What has stood out most, particularly in the clutch, is Brunson’s ability to ignite offense quickly. Pesky second-year wing Ausar Thompson, who stands 6-foot-6 to Brunson’s 6-2, has started on the Knicks’ captain throughout the series, limiting him to 39% shooting and just 23 points on 23 shot attempts in those first quarters. But he’s also been overly aggressive in his first NBA postseason, getting into foul trouble while also struggling with turnovers, having committed 11 against his five assists. Between the fouls — Thompson had five in Game 1, fouled out in Game 2 and had four in Game 3 — and offensive struggles, Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff has often closed games with Schroder.

There’s some upside in that: Schroder has considerable postseason experience, and he hit what turned out to be the game-winning triple in Game 3. His ballhandling and outside shot are also big pluses compared to Thompson’s. But Brunson has found it much easier to score on Schroder than on the rangy Thompson. In fact, Brunson, who put up 15 points in the fourth quarter after returning from an ankle injury, is in the midst of a historic clutch scoring run. If it holds, Brunson’s 13.3 points per fourth quarter would be the most in the play-by-play era (since 1996-97), according to ESPN Research.

Given Brunson’s level of success late in games — each has come down to the wire — Bickerstaff may have to rethink who gets the fourth-quarter assignment on the Knicks’ All-Star point guard.

Not reachable by landline anymore if that says anything…

they came for our answering machines

@herringnba.bsky.social‬
Thibs says Shamet is a gametime decision with an illness

He hasn’t played much, so not a huge deal. Maybe Wright gets a few minutes?