Jason Burgos
The same reason why Jalen Brunson believes the New York Knicks crushed the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their quarterfinals series is the same thing that can take them all the way to the NBA Finals. And it is not Karl-Anthony Towns looking like the Eastern Conference version of Nikola Jokic.
On Thursday night, the Knicks did not just beat the Hawks in Game 6 of their playoff series. They absolutely obliterated a team that finished the regular season by winning 20 of their last 26 games. Their 140-89 victory wasn’t just the biggest postseason win in team history. It was the largest in NBA history.
There has been a lot of talk about the team’s impressive play over their last three game and the real reasons behind it. Many suggest it is the offensive adjustments head coach Mike Brown has made in that time. Especially putting Towns into a point-center role at the top of the key.
After the game, Jalen Brunson was asked what he felt led to such a dominant win. Yet he didn’t point to Towns or their hot shooting. He pointed to the same thing that made the Knicks a title contender in the 90s: Elite-level defense.
“We were able to get stops, run in transition, get layups,” Brunson said, [h/t the New York Post]. “It really came down to our defense. It allowed us to play fast. Allowed us to play in transition. And we made shots. Most importantly, it shows us what we’re capable of defensively. I think that’s really important.”
Surprise, surprise, defense can carry the New York Knicks to the Finals
For weeks, there has been speculation about some of the Knicks’ recent struggles on offense despite gifted scorers like Brunson and Towns. Many accused Brown of failing to adjust his system to get the most out of the star big man. Maybe they were right, but it seems like there was a fix available that was just about effort and had little to do with scheming. It was to play better defense.
Legendary Knicks TV announcer Walt “Clyde” Frazier has said for years, “defense leading to offense.” The team’s top star just confirmed their offense ended up having one of the greatest games in franchise history because they played strong defense. Furthermore, what makes good defense so useful is that the effort that goes into it doesn’t go into slumps like shooting or chemistry can.
The catchphrase, “defense wins championships,” has endured for decades in a variety of sports because it’s true. Good defense can slow an elite offense, but it can also lead to easy baskets and more opportunities. Just like back in the days of Patrick Ewing, if the Knicks get to the NBA Finals next month, defense is what will get them there.
