Knicks' Post-Brunson Performance: A Concerning Trend

Felix Dubois

4 min read

Post on May 15, 2025

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1. Introduction:

Jalen Brunson's impact on the Knicks is undeniable. He's the engine that drives their offense, a maestro orchestrating scoring opportunities and anchoring their overall game plan. His leadership on the court extends beyond statistics; he elevates the play of his teammates and provides a crucial stabilizing presence. However, when Brunson is sidelined, the Knicks' performance plummets, revealing a concerning trend that points to deeper structural issues within the team. This article will argue that the Knicks' performance without Brunson highlights significant weaknesses in their roster construction and game plan, demanding immediate attention.

2. Main Points:

H2: Offensive Inefficiency Without Brunson:

The absence of Jalen Brunson immediately translates into a significant offensive downturn for the Knicks.

H3: Scoring Drought:

• Average points with Brunson: [Insert average points per game with Brunson].
• Average points without Brunson: [Insert average points per game without Brunson]. The difference is stark, demonstrating a clear reliance on Brunson's scoring ability.
• Field Goal Percentage: A noticeable drop in field goal percentage is observed when Brunson is absent, indicating struggles in shot selection and efficiency.
• Three-Point Shooting Decline: The Knicks' three-point shooting percentage also suffers significantly without Brunson's court vision and ability to create open looks for his teammates.

H3: Lack of Playmaking:

Without Brunson's ball-handling skills and playmaking abilities, the Knicks' offense becomes stagnant.

• Reduced Assists: The team's assist numbers decline sharply, demonstrating a lack of consistent ball movement and scoring opportunities.
• Increased Turnovers: A rise in turnovers reflects the struggles of other players to effectively manage the ball in Brunson's absence.
• Stagnant Offense: The flow of the offense grinds to a halt, resulting in predictable and easily defended possessions.
• Reliance on Isolation Plays: The team tends to resort to inefficient isolation plays, highlighting the absence of a reliable secondary playmaker.

H3: Impact on Role Players:

Brunson's absence significantly impacts the performance of other key players.

• Decreased Efficiency of Randle: Julius Randle's efficiency drops considerably when Brunson isn't available to facilitate scoring opportunities for him.
• Barrett's Scoring Struggles: RJ Barrett's scoring output also diminishes without Brunson's facilitating passes and court awareness.

H2: Defensive Vulnerability:

The Knicks' defensive performance also suffers a considerable blow without Brunson.

H3: Increased Opponent Scoring:

• Points Allowed Per Game: A noticeable increase in points allowed per game highlights the defensive struggles without Brunson.
• Opponent Field Goal Percentage: The opponent's field goal percentage rises significantly, indicating an inability to effectively defend.
• Defensive Rebounding Struggles: The Knicks struggle to secure defensive rebounds, leading to more second-chance scoring opportunities for opponents.

H3: Breakdown in Team Defense:

The absence of Brunson seems to disrupt defensive schemes and communication.

• Increased Pick-and-Roll Effectiveness: Opponents find greater success with pick-and-roll plays, exploiting the gaps in the Knicks' defensive rotations.
• Lack of Defensive Rotations: The team shows a lack of cohesive defensive rotations and communication, resulting in easy scoring opportunities for opponents.

H3: Roster Construction Concerns:

The Knicks' reliance on Brunson highlights critical areas needing improvement.

• Need for a Reliable Backup Point Guard: The team desperately needs a reliable backup point guard who can effectively fill Brunson's shoes when he's unavailable.
• Lack of Consistent Three-Point Shooting: Outside of Brunson, the team lacks consistent three-point shooting, limiting offensive options.
• Overall Bench Depth Issues: The bench lacks depth and consistent scoring, amplifying the impact of Brunson's absence.

3. Conclusion:

The Knicks' post-Brunson performance reveals a concerning trend: a significant decline in both offensive and defensive capabilities. This highlights fundamental weaknesses in their roster construction and overall game plan. The team's over-reliance on Brunson exposes a critical need for improved depth, especially at the point guard position, and a more versatile offensive approach. Addressing these issues is crucial for the Knicks' future success. Analyzing the Knicks' performance without Brunson necessitates a candid assessment of their current roster and strategic planning for the future. What steps should the Knicks take to address this concerning trend of Knicks' post-Brunson struggles and improve their overall team performance? Let's discuss!