New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown highlighted his team’s defensive intensity and communication after the 120-66 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
“You know, defensively, we were really good. We had level physicality on and off the ball,” Brown said. “Our closeouts to contests were really, really good. They shot 29% for the game and had only four offensive rebounds. Our guys did a phenomenal job keeping them off the glass.”
Brown credited team communication as a key factor. “Every time down the floor something was happening defensively, I heard it from my seat. The guys were talking and trying to help one another on that end of the floor,” he added, singling out Mitchell Robinson as the defensive player of the game.
Offensively, the Knicks maintained high pace and spacing. “Our pace was really good. Our spacing was there, and it allowed us to make quick decisions with the basketball. Every time we did, we got downhill and shared the basketball effectively,” Brown said.
He also praised the team’s young players who logged significant minutes. “Our young guys played a lot tonight after practicing in Westchester earlier, and for them to come out and play hard for 12 minutes in the fourth quarter was a lot of fun to see,” Brown said.
On correcting defensive lapses from recent games, he noted, “I thought our communication was off the charts. Guys knew their responsibility on the backside, we had five guys on a string, so when the ball moved, we all moved, which put us in position to help on the closeouts. At the end of the day, our closeouts were on point.”
Brown reflected on the team’s response to adversity and emphasized individual accountability. “When you go through adversity, it starts with an individual looking in the mirror. Starting with me. I have to see how I can help. We know we’re better on both sides of the ball, and we all have to think, how can we get this win?”
Regarding spacing and shot creation, Brown explained, “The spacing has to be right, and decisions have to be quick. If the ball gets swung, you can’t sit there. You have to play off two feet to attack the paint and create turnovers.”
Brown also addressed Karl-Anthony Towns’ offensive fouls. “KAT’s a smart guy. Great players make adjustments, and he will continue to make adjustments to his game. He got called for two tonight; we hope officials do a better job recognizing the first foul.”
He singled out Landry Shamet’s movement and decision-making as critical. “Landry’s pace not just in transition but in the half-court creates opportunities. When he moves from point A to point B with force and makes quick decisions, he gets to the paint, and the defense has to react.”
The Knicks’ 54-point victory, the largest in franchise history, ended a four-game losing streak while extending their unbeaten run against Brooklyn to 13 straight games. They now prepare for a Saturday matchup at Philadelphia, while the Nets host the Celtics Friday.
