As the New York Knicks enter a new chapter under Mike Brown, former college coach Tom Crean offered a sharp critique of the team’s heavy reliance on Jalen Brunson in their offense. Crean argued that to truly rise as contenders, the Knicks must improve ball movement and involve more players beyond Brunson.
After making significant strides by winning 51 games and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the Knicks parted ways with longtime coach Tom Thibodeau. While Thibodeau had led the team to consistent postseason appearances, criticism mounted over his limited rotations and predictable offensive sets. The arrival of Brown signals a shift toward a more dynamic style, with hopes of diversifying the Knicks’ attack.
Crean Critiques Knicks’ Over-Reliance on Jalen Brunson’s Offensive Role
At a recent Las Vegas Summer League game against the Brooklyn Nets, Tom Crean, now an ESPN analyst and former Indiana University coach of Knicks forward OG Anunoby, expressed concern about New York’s offensive strategy. He singled out the team‘s dependence on Brunson, the two-time All-Star, to create scoring opportunities.
Crean highlighted the necessity for the Knicks to speed up their tempo and enhance ball sharing under coach Brown’s leadership. He emphasized the importance of transition play and warned against stagnant offensive sets centered on a single action or shot.
If they don’t throw the ball ahead and play more in transition, and they’ve gotta get away from one action, one shot, I mean, the ball has got to move, and that’s Mike Brown’s forte,
Crean said.
According to Crean, Brunson’s value isn’t just in scoring but in running efficient offense aided by ball movement. When the offense stalls with him as the focal point, opposing defenses focus solely on stopping him, limiting the team’s effectiveness.
Jalen Brunson is so good that you really should never measure him based on his points. You measure him based on his efficiency, the ball moving ahead, getting offense.
Additionally, Crean pointed out that the Knicks possess a roster of versatile players capable of contributing more offensively, including OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride. He stressed that increasing ball circulation and involving these “wing runners” could unlock greater team potential.
No matter what, they’ve got to get better moving that ball from side to side, utilizing their players. They’ve got great wing runners, right?
Crean said.
Well, those guys can also make plays in the halfcourt, and I think for them to take the next step … Jalen has almost got to get more off-the-ball catches, rather than drive it into the paint, and everything starts and finishes with him.
Mike Brown’s Vision to Evolve Knicks’ Offense Beyond Brunson
Mike Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year known for his transformative work with the Sacramento Kings, plans to revamp New York’s offense by building on Brunson’s versatility. Brown’s previous team thrived with a pace-and-space system that improved their offensive rating to a league-best 118.6 during the 2022-23 season and boosted their win total by 18 games.
Brown seems determined to implement a similar fast-paced style in New York, encouraging fluid ball movement and creative uses of Brunson’s skill set. In his introductory press conference, Brown acknowledged Brunson’s importance and adaptability within this framework.
Everyone knows I like to play fast,
Brown stated on July 8.
To have a guy like Jalen out there gives you the versatility to play all different kinds of ways, which is what it’s gonna take to win games.
This approach suggests that Brown intends to increase opportunities for players like Anunoby and Bridges alongside Brunson, responding directly to critiques about the offense’s current predictability and concentration.
Assessing the Knicks’ Next Steps and Potential Impact
The Knicks stand at a pivotal moment as they transition into Brown’s system, aiming to become a more unpredictable and efficient offensive unit. Tom Crean’s commentary underscores the urgency for New York to move beyond a Brunson-dominated offense by fostering better ball distribution and empowering supporting players.
Brown’s track record signals a promising direction for the franchise, creating an offense that leverages speed, versatility, and teamwork. If implemented successfully, this shift could propel the Knicks deeper into the playoffs and solidify their status as a true Eastern Conference contender in the upcoming seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Dallas lose Jalen Brunson?
A. Dallas chose not to trade Hardaway. They offered Brunson a four-year, $55.5 million extension, but he declined. Finney-Smith happily accepted an identical deal, but Brunson felt he deserved more because he had improved significantly.