Mike Brown is planning to increase the minutes for his starters when the Knicks organize the Timberwolves for their third pre -season match on Thursday, in an attempt to get them time in the second half, while he continues to increase the workload for the opener against the Cavaliers on 22 October.
No Knicks Starter played more than 18 minutes last week during one of the games in Abu Dhabi, with most logging 17 in each.
Mitchell Robinson played 18 and 13 respectively in the first and second game, while Pacôme Dadiet filled for an injured OG Anunoby during the first exhibition against the 76ers and 15 collected.
“Coming closer to the season, getting closer to the real work, we are still preparing ourselves as well as we have to be,” said Jalen Brunson after training on Tuesday in Tarrytown. “So we will just continue with that preparation and that focus, and yes, of course minutes are not what they would be in a game for a regular season, but everything we do is important.”
With the increased minutes, the Knicks can also continue to work through the adjustments to Brown’s new system, where Brunson says that it “potential comes”.
Every preseason match, with both ending in Knicks victories, contained flashes and signs of need for continuous growth.
And after Thursday the Knicks have two more exhibitions – Monday against the Wizards and 17 October against the Hornets – before the regular season starts.
“What we learn and how we play as a team is certainly improving,” said Brunson. “So a long way to go, but bring down our basic principles.”
Josh Hart (back), who left the preseason opener and missed the second game, did not practice Tuesday and is today today, said Brown.
Brown did not sound overly concerned about the spasms or about the knicks that have already had to navigate a few injuries this preseason – where Anunoby missed the first exhibition against the 76 people because of a sprained hand.
“That’s why you have 15 boys and three two -way,” said Brown. “Someone goes down, it’s the next man. … that’s how it has to be all year round, and that’s why it’s extremely important for everyone to make sure they are mentally locked up in what we do, because your number can be called at any time and our boys are extremely professional and they are ready when their number is mentioned, even if they are not played in a game or two.”
Brunson and Malcolm Brogdon acknowledged that sleep was still going out and Jetlag still exists since he returned from Abu Dhabi, but Brunson said it was good that the Knicks traveled to the middle for the few competitions.
“I think it’s all different [from typical team bonding on a road trip] was clearly the duration of traveling, “said Brunson.” Being able to put the dinner in the desert we did, to try different things that are in their culture that we clearly do not really do here, was interesting. But I am happy that we were able to do it. “
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