Knicks’ Jalen Brunson’s Ball Dominance Hindering Team’s Offense, Says Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague
The New York Knicks find themselves in a precarious position, trailing 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Despite their best efforts, the team has struggled to find a rhythm on offense, and former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague believes he knows the root of the problem. According to Teague, Knicks star Jalen Brunson’s tendency to hold the ball for extended periods is hurting the team’s chances.
In a recent podcast episode, Teague offered a candid assessment of the Knicks’ performance in the series, highlighting Brunson’s ball dominance as a major issue. "You know how the Knicks lose these games bro? Jalen Brunson holds the ball for, the shot clock is 24 seconds, he’s holding that (expletive) for 17 (seconds)," Teague said. "It’s the way he hold the ball. They don’t get no rhythm. That’s why when he comes out the game, all of a sudden the pace pick up, the tempo pick up. All of a sudden, you see people start hoopin’ a little bit. He hold the ball so long." (Source: Newsweek)
Teague’s comments are not unfounded. According to Newsweek, Brunson’s usage percentage is at 40.1 percent throughout two games in the conference finals. While his numbers are impressive, they have not translated to wins. In the series, Brunson is averaging 39.5 points per game, 8.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. (Source: Newsweek)
The Pacers’ defense has been relentless, and the Knicks’ offense has struggled to adapt. In order to create scoring opportunities, the Knicks need to move the ball and become unpredictable. However, Brunson’s tendency to dominate the ball has made it difficult for the team to establish a consistent rhythm.
A comparison between Brunson and Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton highlights the differences in their playing styles. Haliburton’s usage percentage is at 26.2 percent, and he is averaging 22.5 points per game, 11.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three. (Source: Newsweek)
The Knicks will have an opportunity to respond on Sunday, and it remains to be seen whether they will make the necessary adjustments to turn the tide in their favor. As Newsweek reports, the team’s coach, Tom Thibodeau, is facing criticism from former NBA stars, and the team’s chances of advancing to the next round are dwindling.
In order to succeed, the Knicks need to find a way to move the ball and create scoring opportunities. As Teague noted, Brunson’s ball dominance is not helping the team’s cause. "The Pacers’ defense is too good for Brunson to just go iso and hope for a made bucket, especially throughout a 48-minute contest," Newsweek notes. The team’s ability to adapt and make adjustments will be crucial in determining their fate in the series.
The Knicks’ situation is becoming increasingly dire, and they will need to make significant changes to their offense if they hope to stay alive in the series. As Newsweek reports, the team’s silver lining is that they have shown resilience in the face of adversity, but it remains to be seen whether they can overcome their current deficit.
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