The Nix are still trying to determine how they will fill their remaining available roster spots after success using training camp struggles as a case study last season when Landry Shamet acted as an obvious candidate.
This year, another veteran wing with playoff experience hopes to prove he’s worthy of a swing as Bruce Brown doing his thing as a versatile ball-handler, finisher and defender. Head coach Mike Brown liked what the 30-year-old showed in training camp, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic (Link to Twitter).
“He does a good job. He was with the group a few nights ago… those guys made a few mistakes, but they played hard – not just defensively, moving the ball quickly, etc.” said Brown.Bruce, he was great with the ball. It was a textbook. Watching him still do those things knowing he’s fighting for a spot is exciting.”
The championship coach added that one of the things he appreciates about those training camp battles is getting to know veterans as people, not just players, which can tell decision makers a lot about how someone will fit the team’s culture.
There’s no guarantee Brown will win the spot, as the team has a more pressing need at center and has seen some interesting moments with James Wisemanamong others.
We’ve got more from Nicks:
- It’s not a secret yet Karl-Anthony Towns there is very disappointed With the Knicks suspending all negotiations, the star center is focused on controlling what he can control and what really matters, Edwards wrote (via Twitter). “We are all human. My only philosophy since we won, the only thing I think about is how do we win another one?Towns said.For me, that’s the same focus that I came into this season with, that I’m going into Game 1 with; How are we going to keep the trophy in New York after this one summer?”
- The Knicks enter this season with a challenge they’re unfamiliar with: how to approach a season when you’re defending a championship. While they only made a handful of roster changes, the rest of the Eastern Conference looks noticeably different from a year ago, and Mikal Bridges knows the Knicks have to make adjustments if they want to keep their spot at the top of the conference. “I think you want to grow throughout the season” he said, according to Edwards (Link to Twitter). “You don’t want to be at your best to begin with. You want to go through a season, have ups and downs, and then be at your best for the rest of the season.”
- This summer was summer Jalen Brunsonas the Finals MVP spent most of the offseason enjoying the various side jobs that stem from the Knicks’ championship comeback, Peter Sblendorio writes for the New York Daily News. Brunson, who has described this summer as “the longest and shortest ever,” has attended World Cup games, won an ESPY, hosted Saturday Night Live and is set to make a guest appearance on “Law & Order: SVU” with superfan and longtime series regular Mariska Hargitay.
