The Knicks keep changing identities — and it could win them a championship
CLEVELAND — Remember the easy offense the Knicks generated against the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers? The high-post actions with wings feasting off backdoor cuts that made Karl-Anthony Towns look like one of the Gasol brothers? It’s gone.
Taken away by a Cavaliers defense trying its best to slow down the buzzsaw that’s become the Knicks offense. Towns recorded two triple-doubles over the final three games against the Atlanta Hawks and averaged 7. 5 assists in the second round against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Entering Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks’ All-Star big man had just six assists against seven turnovers against the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have clogged passing lanes once wide open in earlier rounds. And guess what?
The Knicks still won both games in decisive fashion: First came the 22-point comeback fueled by a 44-11 run in Game 1. Then came a convincing 16-point victory in Game 2 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Knicks are far from a one-trick pony.
They’ve toggled between multiple offensive identities in Year 1 under Mike Brown — and they’ve needed every version of themselves to get this close to the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Playoff basketball is about taking away a team’s first option. Sometimes its second option, too.
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