Knicks followers had been largely thrilled. Nets followers had been dissatisfied however understood.
The blockbuster commerce that despatched Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn to Broadway for 5 first-round picks, a second-rounder and a swap of first-round picks felt like a seismic transfer that spoke volumes in regards to the path each franchises had been heading.
The Knicks had been going. The Nets had been rebuilding once more.
Friday evening sees the 2 meet for the primary time because the dramatic deal.
“I believe will probably be good to see my guys once more,” Bridges mentioned of the reunion at MSG. “I’ve quite a lot of good mates there, even the teaching employees that’s there, till [general manager] Sean Marques and [assistant general manager] Andy [Birdsong]. I am actually near quite a lot of these guys, so it’s going to be good to see them.
Thus far, the commerce hasn’t labored out the best way most imagined, at the very least not but.
The Knicks are off to a sluggish begin at 5-6, a brand new staff nonetheless looking for an id amid extraordinarily excessive expectations.
The Nets are only one recreation within the loss column behind them, vastly outperforming the expertly low bar set for them underneath new head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Bridges is symbolic of the Knicks’ inconsistent begin.
He has not been a failure, however he has not but succeeded in establishing himself.
His 15.6 common could be his lowest because the 2021-22 marketing campaign with the Suns.
He is taking pictures simply 30.4 % from 3-point vary on 6.3 makes an attempt.
His rebounding (3.8) is down and he has a NET score of minus-0.6, which means the Knicks are outscored by 0.6 factors per 100 possessions with Bridges on the ground.
In fact, it is solely 11 video games. The Knicks as a complete are nonetheless in search of the right combination, they usually’ve handled accidents to key reserves Treasured Achiuwa and Cam Payne, in addition to the absence of middle Mitchell Robinson all season.
Moreover, coach Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks groups have all the time began slowly.
Final 12 months’s group was 17-15 in 32 video games. The 12 months earlier than, they had been 12-13 in 25 video games.
The Knicks come into the sport coming off a irritating one-point loss at dwelling to the Bulls that noticed them get better from a 22-point deficit.
However they got here up brief when Josh Hart fouled Colby White on a 3-pointer, White made all three free throws with 3 seconds left and Jalen Brunson’s jumper on the buzzer was midway out and in.
It was the staff’s fourth loss in six video games. Afterwards, nonetheless, they felt that there have been many positives on this setback.
“I’m simply proving to us on this locker room that we don’t cease preventing,” Brunson mentioned. “That’s what we are able to take away from this match. Clearly the consequence wasn’t what we wished, however there have been quite a lot of positives. You may’t take a look at the negatives persistently. You may study from issues. We have now to see what we are able to work on and go from there.
The NBA launched the ultimate two minutes report on the Knicks-Bulls recreation and mentioned the foul in opposition to Hart within the closing seconds was correct.
Along with saying he had a hand on White’s again, the league additionally mentioned he made unlawful contact with the again of White’s head throughout the play. …
Karl-Anthony Cities (left knee contusion) has been added to the harm report. He is questionable, as are Payne (left hamstring) and Miles McBride (left knee irritation). Brunson (proper ankle sprain) is possible. Achiuwa (left hamstring pressure) stays out.
