Posting and Toasting - All Posts~https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29802/posting_fave.png2024-03-18T21:30:00-04:00http://www.postingandtoasting.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T21:30:00-04:002024-03-18T21:30:00-04:00Game Thread: New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors, March 18, 2024
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<p>The road trip continues with a visit to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.</p> <p id="EV1iwA">On Monday night, the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> (40-27) will visit the<a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/"> Golden State Warriors</a> (35-31) for the third game of a West Coast trip. So far, so good, as the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> have knocked off the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com">Portland Trail Blazers</a> and the Sacramento Kings in the first two games. The Warriors bested the Knicks in their previous matchup this season, and on Saturday held off the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Lakers</a>, 128-121.</p>
<p id="qekMm0">Could be a shootout tonight! Tip-off is 10 p.m. EST on ESPN. This is your game thread. This is <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State of Mind</a>. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Watch your manners. And go Knicks!</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/18/24104693/game-thread-new-york-knicks-at-golden-state-warriors-march-18-2024Russell Richardson2024-03-18T19:56:27-04:002024-03-18T19:56:27-04:00Jalen Brunson named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for March 11th–17th
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<p>That’s our All-Star!</p> <p id="NSrEsR"><a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks </a>point guard Jalen Brunson was rewarded for his recent excellent play by being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Brunson averaged 35.7 points, 5.3 assists, and shot 54.3 percent on his field goal attempts while leading the Knicks to a 3-0 week. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for Week 21 of the 2023-24 season (March 11-17). <a href="https://t.co/qkvhElduJL">pic.twitter.com/qkvhElduJL</a></p>— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAPR/status/1769808538749010115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="dLIcMs">The Knicks guard started the week with a modest 20-point, nine-assist game in a 106-79 defeat of the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a>. Taking his show to the West Coast, this is where Brunson has exploded in his last two games. Against the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> on March 14th, JB scored 45 in 37 minutes to lead New York to a 105-93 victory. He secured <em>Player of the Week</em> honors by dropping 42 points in a road victory in Sacramento on Saturday night. </p>
<p id="XUMKGE">Jalen Brunson became the first Knick since Carmelo Anthony in 2014 to have back-to-back 40-point games. The first-time All-Star keeps producing, and it’s incredible to watch. Brunson is averaging a career-high 27.5 points and 6.4 assists per game. He has his Knicks squad at 40-27, good enough for fourth in the Eastern Conference and only two games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third seed. </p>
<p id="XRKaR7">This is Brunson’s third time being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week this season. The only players named Player of the Week three times this season are Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, and Joel Embiid. That’s pretty good company for the Knicks guard to get mentioned with. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BACK-TO-BACK 40-PIECES <br><br>After 45 on Thursday, Jalen Brunson drops 42, including big buckets down the stretch, as the Knicks get the road W in Sacramento.<br><br>42 PTS | 5 3PM | 4 STL <a href="https://t.co/dq5aYhB5St">pic.twitter.com/dq5aYhB5St</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1769226423640682819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="MvlHxe"><em><strong>Follow </strong></em><a href="https://twitter.com/Jwiesel13"><em><strong>Josh</strong></em></a><em><strong> on </strong></em><a href="https://twitter.com/Jwiesel13"><em><strong>Twitter</strong></em></a><em><strong> for more </strong></em><a href="https://twitter.com/ptknicksblog"><em><strong>Knicks</strong></em></a><em><strong> news and stories.</strong></em></p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/18/24105205/jalen-brunson-named-eastern-conference-player-of-the-week-for-march-11th-17thJosh Wiesel2024-03-18T10:00:00-04:002024-03-18T10:00:00-04:00Game Preview: New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors, March 18, 2024
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<p>Golden State’s rebounding might meets New York’s defensive grit in a showdown at the Chase Center</p> <p id="zsafIA">On Monday night, the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> (40-27) will visit the<a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/"> Golden State Warriors</a> (35-31) for the third game of a West Coast trip. The trip has gone swimmingly so far, as the Knicks have knocked off the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com">Portland Trail Blazers</a> and the Sacramento Kings in the first two engagements.</p>
<p id="HYhs9D">[INJURY UPDATE, 12:15 pm EST: OG Anunoby has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game . . . cursed elbow.]</p>
<p id="ed2DFY">The Knicks have won five of their last ten, and the Warriors are 6-4 most recently. Stephen Curry tops all scorers for Golden State with 27 points per game and remains their finest three-point shooter at 41%. The Dubs have the 11th-ranked offense and the 16th-best defense and are fairly fleet of foot. On Saturday they defeated a motivated <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Lakers</a> squad, 128-121.</p>
<p id="VuERcL">When the Knicks and Dubs last squared off, our heroes fell behind early and could never quite come back in a 110-99 loss on February 29. Both teams shot poorly, with GWS connected on 32% from beyond the arc and the Knicks making 12-of-39 shots there. In the game, Curry led all scorers with 31 points and grabbed 11 boards, while teammate Jonathan Kuminga added 25 and eight. For New York, Jalen Brunson scored 27 points, while Josh Hart contributed yet another indefatigable performance, logging 14 points, 18 boards, and seven assists in 47 minutes.</p>
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<p id="FZFlz7">Golden State is the league’s second-best rebounding team, led by Draymond Green’s 7.1 boards per game. Their top scorers are Curry, Klay Thompson (still kickin’ from the bench with 17.2 PPG), and Kuminga (16.2 points, 4.8 boards). Rookie shooter Brandin Podziemski has averaged 9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while connecting on 38% from deep. Rounding out the starting five, Andrew Wiggins has averaged 12.6 points, and 4.2 rebounds, while shooting 46% from the floor, and 35% from downtown.</p>
<h2 id="7hzFwy"><strong>Prediction</strong></h2>
<p id="YuFdWg">ESPN picks Golden State to win by 66%. Hmm . . . not so fast, Espy. Have you seen the defense that the Knicks have been laying on opponents lately? They have held opponents under 100 points in six of their last seven games. And what about Jalen Brunson’s back-to-back 40+ point games? New York will bring a lot of confidence into the arena tonight, and deservedly so. Things will get dicey if the Dubs shoot well early, but if <s>OG Anunoby</s>, Hart, and Isaiah Hartenstein uphold their standard of defense, and Donte DiVincenzo reclaims some of his magic against his previous team and former mentor, the Knicks will depart the Chase Center with a win tonight. Knicks by +3.</p>
<h2 id="Hxy1jU"><strong>Game Details</strong></h2>
<p id="UqWcIY">Who: <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> (40-27) at <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> (35-31)</p>
<p id="Nukq1U">When: 10:00 pm EST, Monday, March 18, 2024</p>
<p id="1qLC4L">Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA</p>
<p id="Ir5nGu">Watch: ESPN</p>
<p id="8oqW0n">Follow: <a href="https://twitter.com/ptknicksblog"><strong>@ptknicksblog</strong></a></p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/18/24104684/game-preview-new-york-knicks-at-golden-state-warriors-march-18-2024Russell Richardson2024-03-18T08:00:00-04:002024-03-18T08:00:00-04:00Knicks Bulletin: “Just head on a swivel. You never can relax with him.”
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<figcaption>Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Is it time for Jalen Brunson to claim a spot in an All-NBA team? That and more in today’s dose of quotes.</em></p> <p id="LwIsbE">The Knicks entered last week following a loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, Mar. 10, but swept the competition throughout the next seven days by beating the same Sixers on Tuesday and then both the Blazers and the Kings on the road on Thursday and Saturday respectively.</p>
<p id="9VU3eF">It’s been five consecutive games for New York in which they have held their opponents to no more than 93 points scored—including three of those being limited to a meager 79 points tops—but the Golden State Warriors will pose an entirely different challenge on Monday.</p>
<p id="nx2OzE">Here is what some Knicks—coach and players—have said over the last few hours as New York had Sunday off before taking on the Dubs later today.</p>
<h2 id="VIIWRe">Tom Thibodeau</h2>
<p id="00g4kP"><em>On Jalen Brunson’s game against the Kings...</em></p>
<p id="jrA5Yj">“I don’t want to say too much, but I felt like he’s getting hit a lot, right? But the best part of him is he never complains. He’s not crying. He’ll just keep going, and he’ll focus on making the shot, which he did.”</p>
<p id="9Uirlk">“So without getting off his game, he just kept going, but to drive the ball as many times as he does, and the physicality that he’s being trapped—they’re pursuing him, they’re hitting him, and he only had four free throws, but that’s what I love about him.”</p>
<p id="4XYo3G">“He’s tough-minded, can figure it out, he knows how the game is being called, he knows that he’s on the road—it’s gonna be tough—and that doesn’t slow him down. He doesn’t let the officials impact him in any way.”</p>
<p id="NoodMr"><em>On the challenge that game-planning and defending Domantas Sabonis presented him with...</em></p>
<p id="ryxYFi">“You’ve got to defend every aspect of [his] game. Him running the floor, him leading the break, him on the post, him on the dribble hand-off, him on a pick-and-pop, him in the pocket [making a play after he receives the ball following a pick-and-roll].”</p>
<p id="g8TtUe">“I thought every one of those you’ve gotta be able to do a second and third effort because it’s not just him.”</p>
<h2 id="6VTVbw">OG Anunoby</h2>
<p id="6JzaPN"><em>On Steph Curry’s skill set and what he expects to see from him tomorrow...</em></p>
<p id="CD0Bc2">“He’s just an amazing player, great shot-maker. Very deceptive with the ball. Just a super talented guy.”</p>
<p id="SYHC61">“Just head on a swivel, screens coming from everywhere. Switches from on ball to off ball. You never can relax with him.”</p>
<p id="dqNCbu"><em>On getting the assignment of defending Steph Curry on Tuesday...</em></p>
<p id="abnkrQ">“I’m sure it’ll happen during the game, cross switch or in transition. So I’m ready for it.”</p>
<h2 id="zdxpBw">Josh Hart</h2>
<p id="XMhICJ"><em>On Jalen Brunson’s chances of making it to an All-NBA team this season...</em></p>
<p id="OH5oTx">“I think he has a really good chance to get it, I think he deserves it. He’s had the consistency, he’s had the durability that guys who are in that position. I think that’s something he deserves. Media, hopeful they see that.”</p>
<p id="kfxIeP">“Games like [the one against Sacramento] where we’ve obviously (had) guys in and out of the lineup and he’s been carrying us... Hopefully, they recognize that. He’s someone that deserves it, someone who should get it.”</p>
<h2 id="7uiZZR">Donte DiVincenzo</h2>
<p id="pu9OJo"><em>On the Golden State Warriors ahead of Tuesday’s matchup...</em></p>
<p id="XcYh7W">“They’re good. There’s no way around it. They beat good teams. They dealt with the injury bug. They’ve dealt with guys in and out, Draymond [Green] being suspended. They’ve been through it and they’re still in the race for the playoffs and the play-in.”</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/18/24104621/knicks-bulletin-just-head-on-a-swivel-you-never-can-relax-with-himAntonio Losada2024-03-17T17:36:06-04:002024-03-17T17:36:06-04:00Knicks’ Upcoming Week, March 17-23
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<figcaption>Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Can the Knicks secure a road sweep before heading home for a matinee?</em> </p> <p id="B1vtd1">The <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> will conclude their road trip this week with two Western Conference stops, then buzz home for a crosstown rivalry matinee on Saturday. So far, they are 2-0 on their West Coast swing, but two big opponents stand between them and a road sweep. Here’s the schedule.</p>
<h3 id="n9IeuJ"><strong>New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors, 10 PM EST, Monday, March 18, 2024</strong></h3>
<p id="whJAlF">Playing the third of a four-game road trip, the Knicks will face the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com">Golden State Warriors</a> (35-31) in San Francisco on Monday night.</p>
<p id="DMcMV8">Sturdy defense and Jalen Brunson’s 42-point performance lifted the Knicks over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. The Warriors, with a 17-17 home record, are led by Stephen Curry’s 27 points per game. They have the 11th-ranked offense and the 16th-best defense, and they play with pace. </p>
<p id="sanaFG">The Knicks fell behind by a lot early and could never rally back when they last played the Warriors, losing 110 to 99 on February 29. Both teams shot the longball terribly, and Curry led all scorers with 31 points. Watch Monday’s rematch on ESPN. </p>
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<h3 id="2zWgEt"><strong>New York Knicks at Denver Nuggets, 9 PM EST, Thursday, March 21, 2024</strong></h3>
<p id="Xm2RMs">The defending champion Denver Nuggets are having another solid season, powered by the behemoth center Nikola Jokic. As of this writing, they have a record of 47-20 and sit tied atop the Western Conference. Led by Jokic (26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists per game), Jamal Murray (20.9 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 boards) and Michael Porter, Jr. (16.7 points, seven rebounds), they have the seventh-best offense and the tenth-best defense. They circulate the ball with ease and take more two-pointers than anybody. </p>
<p id="BkDl7x">The Knicks beat the Nuggets (at full strength!), 122 to 84, on January 25. This will be a massive test of New York’s defensive abilities.</p>
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<h3 id="JI9XFC"><strong>New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets, 1 PM EST, Saturday, March 23, 2024</strong></h3>
<p id="FlIei4">The Nets currently rank 20th for both offense and defense and are on the outside of the playoff picture, still trying to sneak in. The Knicks beat Brooklyn twice already this season. Most recently, they rallied with a 32-point fourth frame to win 108-103 on January 23. Mikal Bridges scored 36 points and Nic Claxton pulled down 17 boards for the losers, while Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle scored 30 apiece. Matinees always make me nervous, but New York should have enough firepower to hold off the Brooklynites on Saturday afternoon. I’ll be traveling, so you’ll have to let me know what happens.</p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/17/24104257/knicks-upcoming-week-march-17-23Russell Richardson2024-03-17T14:00:00-04:002024-03-17T14:00:00-04:00Knicks Bulletin: “Maybe he’ll pass a little bit more next game.”
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<figcaption>Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Everybody in New York and Sacramento was amazed and delighted by Jalen Brunson’s 42-point outing.</em></p> <p id="5005P1">The <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> faced a tough start to the month of March going against the Cavaliers on the road, playing the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a> two times in three days, and then going on a West Coast trip for their next four games but so far, so good for New York as the Knicks have amassed a 5-2 record in their last seven matchups.</p>
<p id="qsSG3t">On Saturday, in their second game away from Manhattan, New York beat Sacramento 98-91 and with that dub, they put together a three-game winning streak while limiting each of their last five opponents to 93 points at most.</p>
<p id="PJlCmi">Here is what the protagonists from both sides of the affair had to say about Saturday’s game.</p>
<h2 id="HIu9pr">Tom Thibodeau</h2>
<p id="rePWQA"><em>On Jalen Brunson’s 42-point performance...</em></p>
<p id="AoVjU6">“You almost come to expect what Jalen did. It’s every night and it’s big play after big play. Every time we need a big bucket he comes up with it.”</p>
<p id="Twwqi5">“He’s such a gifted shotmaker. He knows he’s on the road. It’s going to be tough, and that doesn’t slow him down.”</p>
<p id="UAx4s6"><em>On Brunson’s overall skill set and talents...</em></p>
<p id="jX1N2L">“The one thing about Jalen—he just wants to win. You can double him the whole game to get the ball out of his hands, he’s not going to fight it. He’ll make the right play. That’s who he is.”</p>
<p id="GcwwPc">“He’s going to make the right play. He’s not going to fight a double team. The game will tell him what to do. And obviously, when teams are loaded up, we want to play more out of transition. And when we do that, we’re hard to guard.”</p>
<p id="3fDYxq"><em>On OG Anunoby, who was “questionable” entering Saturday’s matchup...</em></p>
<p id="mn87kQ">“OG’s a basketball player. He does a bit of everything.”</p>
<p id="xsFdVf">“Each game, as he goes through this just coming back in, there’s gonna be soreness involved and just see where it is. He went through shootaround (Saturday morning), so that was good.”</p>
<p id="eQiKb4">”It’s just day by day. There’s going to be some days where there’s soreness involved.”</p>
<p id="mg3fYP"><em>On Alec Burks (18 minutes) and Bojan Bogdanovic (24) increased playing time...</em></p>
<p id="Vkb1DT">“We were just buying time. The group that was in there (with Bogdanovic and Burks) was going pretty good, so I thought to give (Brunson) an extra minute here, minute-and-a-half. I knew they’d be loaded up on him pretty good so I wanted to make sure that he had the energy to finish.”</p>
<p id="WqAhgv">“[They were] huge for us. We know both guys are gifted shotmakers. Each day is a little bit better. I think it’s hard, in-season trades. But you know what they’ve done throughout their careers. We’re fortunate to have gotten them.”</p>
<p id="x68Ii0">“Today was a good day because those are timely shots. And they’re big shots. Getting better each day, great minutes from our bench today”</p>
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<h2 id="PafW4i">Jalen Brunson</h2>
<p id="g4Nx2I"><em>On beating rookie Keon Ellis one-on-one taking advantage of the rookie looking away for a second...</em></p>
<p id="V0xGzF">“I saw him kinda looking before. He turned his head one time or twice and then I just told Isaiah (Hartenstein) to come up, set the screen. He looked, and as soon as he turned, I went.”</p>
<p id="raOVqm">“If he comes (to) set the screen, he comes to do it. I just read it. I’m just surveying the court and kinda just reacting. Once he turned his head, there’s no way he could (see)—unless he’s a magician.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jalen Brunson reacts to being the 4th Knick ever to get 40 PTS in Back-To-Back games. His company? King, Ewing, Melo <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyknicks</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jalenbrunson1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jalenbrunson1</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/McNuttMonica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@McNuttMonica</a> <a href="https://t.co/fDxClXNdh0">pic.twitter.com/fDxClXNdh0</a></p>— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/status/1769222670208344408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="Gcq9Z8"><em>On joining Patrick Ewing, Bernard King, and Carmelo Anthony as the fourth Knick with back-to-back 40+ point games...</em></p>
<p id="doG7vu">“Grateful, honored... Those guys have a bigger resume than I ever will. I’m just tryna help my team win that’s all.”</p>
<h2 id="XCwH5n">Josh Hart</h2>
<p id="6p7FPY"><em>On Jalen Brunson’s 42-point performance...</em></p>
<p id="UvOtBy">“He’s our go-to guy. Great that he was able to kinda get into that company (Melo, King, and Ewing). That’s elite company.”</p>
<p id="fBjf9L">“Maybe he’ll pass a little bit more next game.”</p>
<p id="Tcia5a">“It’s something that we know, like, ‘Alright, if we’re not making shots, we can still rely on him to start the engine up and keep going.’”</p>
<p id="T69lrM"><em>On the Knicks’ team defense against De’Aaron Fox...</em></p>
<p id="Ycy3lG">“I was about to say, ‘Not me.’ That boy spun me around like a top.”</p>
<p id="TsffYX"><em>On people overlooking the banged-up Knicks and only giving them chances once/if everybody gets healthy...</em></p>
<p id="VeWqmz">“Every now and then, I go down Knicks Twitter and they’re always popping with what people are saying. At the end of the day, we can’t listen to it. A lot of [experts] are saying these guys can make the Eastern Conference finals, do this, do that, but only if they’re healthy. Only if they have Julius, only if they have Mitch [Robinson], or whatever it is.”</p>
<p id="z4bh2F">“Right now we don’t have those guys. We don’t know when those guys are going to come back. So we can’t think of it like, ‘Oh, let’s just keep it afloat.’”</p>
<p id="J83wKz">“I think it’s like we’ve got to take care of our business that’s in front of us. And if they get back before the end of the year, perfect. If they don’t we’ll rock it with the guys we have and we have the confidence.”</p>
<p id="2OIM8k"><em>On fighting for good seeding ahead of the playoffs and not taking them for granted...</em></p>
<p id="hpCwiz">“You don’t get those opportunities often. This is my seventh year in the league and hopefully this is going to be my second year in the playoffs. You don’t want to waste any of those opportunities because they don’t come around often.”</p>
<h2 id="2yjtSK">OG Anunoby</h2>
<p id="6TFSve"><em>On a random Saturday in Cali...</em></p>
<p id="8BFN9k">“I didn’t even know I was questionable.”</p>
<h2 id="V12PUm">Isaiah Hartenstein</h2>
<p id="Ny8JiB"><em>On how the Knicks planned to stop a young and fast Kings team...</em></p>
<p id="z5mwGn">“We know they’re going to push the ball a lot. So we just have to make sure we get back on defense, that’s the biggest thing. Just making sure after missed shots or turnovers, try to keep our turnovers low. Just get back on defense, that’s the biggest thing.”</p>
<p id="vYUbCB"><em>On slowly but surely regaining his confidence and fitness and increasing his playing time...</em></p>
<p id="NKJb0P">“I mean, it’s a process. I think the Knicks organization does a good job—not rushing things, making sure we feel right. Everything’s been going good. I’ve been good. OG’s been good. We’re going on a good progress now.”</p>
<h2 id="Usl2Lp">De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings Player)</h2>
<p id="0n3r4s"><em>On the Kings’ defensive effort on Saturday...</em></p>
<p id="v6WEKT">“Outside of [Jalen Brunson], we did a great job. But he had almost half their points...”</p>
<h2 id="gBdlpY">Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings Player)</h2>
<p id="3iILct"><em>On the loss to the Knicks on Saturday...</em></p>
<p id="YcWibk">“They kinda punched us in the mouth in the third quarter. We came back, we fought back... it’s something that—I’m happy for our team being physical.”</p>
<p id="fvEEBc">“We’ll see this team again in a couple weeks in New York and I think it’s great that we get this kind of matchup before the playoffs.”</p>
<p id="bg0MrB">“I feel like we did a great job today as well (on defense), we just couldn’t score as much as we usually do and stop Brunson. He’s a top-tier player.”</p>
<h2 id="J0hBzT">Mike Brown (Sacramento Kings Head Coach)</h2>
<p id="iN5fFg"><em>On Jalen Brunson’s performance...</em></p>
<p id="rGVBk7">“Man, he’s a helluva player. (Aside from) Steph (Curry) maybe, I don’t know if we blitzed anybody as much as we did Jalen tonight, tried to send two (defenders) at him, and he still scored 42 points. … We sent the double-team at him every single time he came off the pick-and-roll in the second half and probably half the time in the first half. He’s a hell of a player.”</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/17/24103664/knicks-bulletin-maybe-hell-pass-a-little-bit-more-next-gameAntonio Losada2024-03-17T11:00:00-04:002024-03-17T11:00:00-04:00Insider: Precious Achiuwa and Isaiah Hartenstein contract projections
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<img alt="Chicago Bulls v New York Knicks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tUhrejafGvwUlyQzV6e2JK1E4As=/0x0:3066x2044/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213180/1907706038.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Both players are entering free agency next summer. Will the New York Knicks re-sign one, both, or none?</em></p> <p id="Sk68kR">Will they budge, or will they not? Will they budget, or will they not?</p>
<p id="x8N0yf">Those two questions are related to two different parties that will have to enter negotiations in less than four months.</p>
<p id="N93Zbg">The first one is related to the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a>’ big men Precious Achiuwa and Isaiah Hartenstein. The second one is related to the Knicks franchise and its top-to-bottom brass.</p>
<p id="CYYSjO">Achiuwa and I-Hart will enter July as free agents. The former is restricted but the latter will be free to sign a deal wherever he wants without the Knicks having a chance to match. The Knicks, mind you, might <em>not want</em> to match any deal nor offer a contract to any of those two players.</p>
<p id="BDulRj">With a month left in the regular season, New York has a three-man rotation in the paint boasting true centers Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein as well as big-forward tweener Precious Achiuwa.</p>
<p id="QaBGCX">Robinson <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/mitchell-robinson-knicks-reach-agreement-on-deal">signed</a> a four-year, $60 million deal back in July 2022. Hartenstein <a href="https://hoopswire.com/knicks-adding-isaiah-hartenstein-on-two-year-deal/">signed</a> a two-year, $19 million contract at the same time Mitch did. Achiuwa arrived in New York via trade last December and is still playing under his <a href="https://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york_knicks/">rookie-scale contract</a>, earning $4.3 million this season.</p>
<p id="qUDnAz">Stefan Bondy of the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/14/sports/precious-achiuwas-performance-forcing-a-tough-knicks-decision/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nypost_sitebuttons"><em>New York Post</em></a><em> </em>shared an interesting projection made by <em>ESPN’s </em>front office insider Bobby Marks for the next contracts Achiuwa and Hartenstein might sign come July.</p>
<p id="3X7zlj">Marks projected Achiwua’s free agency value at “$8 million-$10 million in annual salary,” and the former <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com">Brooklyn Nets</a> Assistant GM also estimated “a $13 million-$14 million annual salary” for Hartenstein’s next deal.</p>
<p id="pro8W9">Again, Robinson’s deal runs through June 2026 on a decreasing basis with the big boy scheduled to earn $14.3 million next season and then a bit below $13 million in his final year before hitting the open market.</p>
<p id="kyDoS8">The Knicks, whether they want it or not, will need to make a decision come July. Staying idle would mean both Achiuwa and Hartenstein will be playing basketball elsewhere next season. Re-signing one (or the two) of them would mean filling the cap.</p>
<p id="L9K2E1">According to Marks, there will be something interesting brewing in the upcoming big-man free-agent market simply because of the lack of interesting, available players.</p>
<p id="XemcFT">“Centers don’t get big money anymore, but Achuiwa and Hartenstein benefit from a weak free-agency class at that position,” Marks told Bondy. Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton and New Orleans’ Jonas Valanciunas are mentioned as the best players expected to be available next summer.</p>
<p id="MMrtah">As Bondy noted, and assuming the Knicks bring back OG Anunoby, “re-signing both Achiuwa and Hartenstein will send them into the luxury tax.”</p>
<p id="Nptljd">What will the Knicks do next? Have Achiuwa and Hartenstein already done enough to guarantee them an extension to stay put in New York next season and beyond? Will the Knicks do a 180-degree turn and bring those two backs <em>while</em> trying to find a team to trade Robinson to? Will everything depend on what happens in the playoffs when New York (hopefully) will have all of their players available and a healthy rotation?</p>
<p id="Xc3Qcw">Many questions, only 15 regular-season games and an undetermined postseason run to solve all of them.</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/17/24102763/insider-precious-achiuwa-and-isaiah-hartenstein-contract-projectionsAntonio Losada2024-03-17T09:30:00-04:002024-03-17T09:30:00-04:00Takeaways from the Knicks’ win over the Kings on Saturday
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Sacramento Kings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oyU43jtUYvVc0D7RAM3UbkigjTA=/0x5:7360x4912/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213066/2082127687.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Knicks triumph over Kings in Playoff-Style showdown, with Brunson scoring 42 and Hartenstein giving a defensive masterclass</p> <p id="vcQ3Za">Saturday’s contest between the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> (40-27) and the <a href="https://kingsherald.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> (38-28) was a thrilling battle between two playoff-hungry teams. Jalen Brunson delivered another exceptional performance, scoring 42 points to guide the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> to a 98-91 victory. Despite a strong first half from their potent power forward Domantas Sabonis, the Kings’ offense struggled under the Knicks’ smothering defense and produced just their second-fewest points of the season. Here are four takeaways to whet your weekend whistle.</p>
<h2 id="ebI8f9"><strong>Hartenstein Neutralized Sabonis</strong></h2>
<p id="9RRNDL">The game was physical from the start, and Isaiah Hartenstein really put that rascal Domantas Sabonis in the torture chamber last night. </p>
<p id="jEhEjU">This season, Sabonis has averaged 20.1 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 8.3 assists—a career year—and 62 double-doubles. After an 18-point, seven-rebound first half, Sabonis stumbled post-intermission. On Isaiah’s watch, the double-double king scored no points in the second half, and just three while iHart was on the bench. </p>
<p id="ge2sWQ">Normally the Sabonis assignment would have gone to Julius Randle, and we have enjoyed some Godzilla-level battles between those two over the years. In Randle’s absence, Isaiah did the duty and deserves the game ball for neutralizing Sacramento’s biggest threat. And iHart’s late-game <em>And-1</em> bully drive on Sabonis helped to seal the win for the Knicks. It was a dominating performance and another game that his agent can point to when negotiating the big man’s next contract this summer.</p>
<p id="dpyrUK">Hartenstein finished with seven points, 14 boards, four blocks, three assists, and one steal in 28 minutes. Like that? We do. Here’s a nifty appreciation tweet from last night’s game. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I know it's late and I have nothing else to add here, but can I just appreciate Isaiah Hartenstein for a moment<br><br>Had a block in each quarter in a game Knicks won at Sacramento by 7 points, without scoring 100 points. Kings shot 35.3% FGs overall. <br><br>Exceptional defense by iHart <a href="https://t.co/BZZqJYYu0o">pic.twitter.com/BZZqJYYu0o</a></p>— Law Murray (@LawMurrayTheNU) <a href="https://twitter.com/LawMurrayTheNU/status/1769242042969026762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<h2 id="3BhJT1"><strong>McBride Struggled on Offense</strong></h2>
<p id="N5wx4V">Sacramento’s length bottled up Deuce McBride. He struggled to get up clean shots, attempting only one, and a double-team confused him into a jump ball at one point.</p>
<p id="nboBBt">Deuce logged 6:43 minutes in the first half and played just five minutes while attempting no shots in the second. His defense continued to shine, but his scoring difficulties among the trees were worrisome.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge end of quarter sequence, beginning with outstanding defense from Deuce McBride, and ending with a terrific rebound and outlet by Josh Hart to Bogey. <a href="https://t.co/eXCN7Gg3KB">pic.twitter.com/eXCN7Gg3KB</a></p>— Rit Holtzman (@BenRitholtzNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenRitholtzNBA/status/1769191772624675079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="e1fGra">Deuce started to blossom once Quentin Grimes was traded to Detroit and unlocked more court time. Since Grimes last took the court wearing orange and blue on January 30, 2024, McBride has averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 23.7 minutes. He has yet to demonstrate leadership in the second unit, however, and he also laid a goose egg a week ago against Philadelphia. His three-point shooting has cooled to 34% over these last 20 games, too. In the Playoffs, if the opponent has an excess of height, Deuce might develop a sore keister from spending extended time on the bench.</p>
<h2 id="rEHl31"><strong>Defense, Defense, Defense</strong></h2>
<p id="zpCyiA">The Knicks’ swarming defense, led by Hartenstein, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby, limited the high-scoring Kings to only 91 points, their second-lowest total of the season. The home team tried to push the pace and get out in transition, but the Knicks were excellent at getting back and nipping fast breaks in the bud. </p>
<p id="i0uS0X">Normally, Sacramento puts 118 on the scoreboard. Not against this East Coast juggernaut. With the win, the Knicks have held opponents under 100 points 21 times this season, the most of any NBA team. On average, the Kings make 14.4 triples per game. Last night, they shot 10-of-37 (27%).</p>
<p id="0A6opO">The Kings had several chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but New York gave them no gimmes. Sacramento missed layups, found every jumper contested, and failed to capitalize on key possessions. When last checked, New York’s defensive rating was eighth-best in the league. If Anunoby can stay available down the stretch, New York could finish with a top-five rating, mark my words.</p>
<h2 id="efJybS"><strong>Brunson Persevered Despite Questionable (Lack of) Calls</strong></h2>
<p id="yNr7p3">Last night, Jalen Brunson scored 42 points on 17-of-28 shooting, including 5-of-10 from deep. He joined a select group of Knicks players (Bernard King, Patrick Ewing, and Carmelo Anthony) with back-to-back 40+ point games. </p>
<p id="P9AIl2">Jalen also took a beating in his 36 minutes but somehow attempted a mere four free throws. For comparison, he attempted 17 on Thursday in Portland, and it sure looked like received more lumps from the Kings.</p>
<p id="KUcxXI">On paper (sorry, on-screen), the game appeared to be evenly called. New York was whistled for 21 personal fouls to Sacramento’s 20, after all. Yet the Knicks took just 16 free throws to the Kings’ 26, and the home team scored 21 of their total score at the charity stripe (New York, 13). It’s hard to believe the Kings were just that more disciplined.</p>
<p id="C9B6NL">Nevertheless, the NBA’s toughest point guard takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Here’s a clip of JB casually applying his blowtorch. Enjoy your Sunday, Knicks fans.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Oh my god”<br><br>Davion Mitchell and anybody else that tried to guard Jalen Brunson on Saturday had an “off night” <a href="https://t.co/gJ4ylwm0s3">pic.twitter.com/gJ4ylwm0s3</a></p>— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1769336788114350333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/17/24103755/takeaways-from-the-knicks-win-over-the-kings-on-saturdayRussell Richardson