Josh Hart didn’t sugarcoat his feelings after the Knicks’ loss to the Pistons. “We’re losing games I feel like we shouldn’t be losing,” he shared, echoing what fans might be muttering under their breath. On the surface, the Jalen Brunson-led Knicks seemed to do everything right. They poured in 119 points, knocked down 50% of their shots, and connected on 40% of their threes. To top it off, they earned 11 more trips to the free-throw line than Detroit. Those numbers sound like a winning formula, don’t they?
Yet, when the final buzzer sounded, none of it mattered. While it may seem like the Knicks are massively underperforming, that’s not the case. They’re actually sitting at 26-15, their best record under Tom Thibodeau at this stage of the season. But Brunson thinks this isn’t enough, just like Hart.
A visibly upset Brunson said, “We’ve gotten better but there’s still a long way to go. Continue to have the mindset of getting better every day. It’s the same, no matter what game it is. It could be game 82. Our mindset’s still to get better”. Is Brunson targeting some with his mindset comment here? Well, something happened during the game.
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In a critical moment, Brunson signaled OG Anunoby to switch and take on Cade Cunningham, but Anunoby ignored him, locking eyes with Brunson as if the request didn’t matter. Josh Hart’s frustration? Yeah, it was written all over his face—again. Even after their previous match, Brunson had said, “We have to go out there with no egos. We have to go out there with no individual agendas. We have to go out there and sacrifice.”.
It feels like something is wrong in the Knicks’ locker room but we can’t say for sure. The Knicks may have trouble in the locker room but their front office has done some work in handing out contracts.
Jalen Brunson makes it to ESPN’s All-Contract team
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Leon Rose has been a magician at finding hidden gems and locking in talent on affordable deals. ESPN recently spotlighted their All-Contract team, which highlights players on the best-value contracts outside of rookie and max deals. Leading the charge? None other than Jalen Brunson. At just $24.9 million this season, Brunson is one of the best bargains in the league.
Before this season, he inked a four-year, $156.5 million extension, even leaving $113 million on the table to keep the Knicks flexible. That’s loyalty. Brunson’s putting up 25.5 points and a career-high 7.5 assists per game, proving he’s worth every penny. Remember last year’s playoffs? He carried the team until a broken hand ended his run.
via Imago
Dec 28, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) hugs New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) after their game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Deuce McBride also snagged a spot on ESPN’s list as a backup shooting guard. After the Knicks traded RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby, McBride stepped up, signing a $13 million, three-year deal. At $4.7 million this year, he’s delivering 9.5 points and his signature relentless defense.
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These budget-friendly contracts have paved the way for big moves, like adding OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Sitting at 26-14, the Knicks are working to shake off a rough 1-4 patch. It feels like they’re just getting started
In a recent game, the New York Knicks suffered a tough loss, and tensions were high in the locker room afterwards. One player, Jalen Brunson, was visibly upset and made a confession that shed light on the underlying ego tensions within the team.
As the team gathered in the locker room after the game, Brunson stood up and spoke passionately about the need for unity and selflessness on the court. He admitted that his own ego had gotten in the way at times, and he was determined to put the team first moving forward.
His words struck a chord with his teammates, who were also feeling the weight of the loss and the growing discord within the group. It was clear that there were underlying issues that needed to be addressed, and Brunson’s honesty and vulnerability set the tone for a much-needed conversation.
As the team reflected on their performance and the dynamics at play, it became clear that in order to succeed, they would need to put aside their egos and work together towards a common goal. It was a sobering realization, but one that was necessary for the team to move forward and improve.
In the end, Brunson’s emotional confession served as a wake-up call for the Knicks, and a reminder that success on the court requires more than just individual talent – it requires teamwork, humility, and a willingness to put the team above all else.
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Jalen Brunson, Knicks, locker room confession, ego tensions, upset player, NBA, New York Knicks, sports news, basketball, team dynamics, player emotions
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