Smartphones and other devices have certainly affected people in negative ways for a variety of reasons, but there’s at least one thing for sure about constant scrolling: we’ve actually become perfect at multitasking!
It’s silly to think that each and every fan’s vision wouldn’t be on the intact York Knicks during their 123-98 home opener victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, but that’s what happens when your dear Yankees are simultaneously. playing in Game 1 of the International Line against the Dodgers. Giancarlo Stanton’s go-ahead run in the sixth inning generated a deafening “Come on Yankees!” MSG family song. Unfortunately for Untouched York lovers, the Yankees lost in too many innings to Freddie Freeman’s brilliant slam. and it was the Lakers fans who were able to celebrate while their NBA team played..
The simultaneous events created an electric shape in Madison Sq. Grassland on Friday night, and it helped that the Knicks demonstrated why they are believed to be a valid contender for the name this season.
Here are five reasons why MSG was the happiest playground on Earth on Friday night.
1. Bridges can explode again
Knicks lovers weren’t like, afraid concerned, but at least quite concerned, about the shooting of offseason acquisition Mikal Bridges, who admitted to having re-equipped its mechanics with horrible initial effects, both statistically and aesthetically. The 38% career 3-point shooter was 2-for-19 from deep throughout the preseason, then 2-for-7 during the Knicks’ embarrassing 132-109 season-opening loss to the Boston Celtics.
Bridges put the worries to rest, at least for now, by going 8 of 12 from deep in Friday’s win, including 2 of two from deep en route to 21 points.
The shooting process seemed a minute more fluid and Bridges certainly seemed more relaxed than he did in the first game or the preseason, so that was definitely cause for birthday celebration for MSG patrons.
2. KAT will get defensive
The Knicks’ offense should be one of the best in the NBA this season, but defense was certainly an issue when the Knicks chose Karl-Anthony Cities as their setting center. Probably the most flexible 7-foot scorers we’ve ever seen, Cities has never been referred to as a defensive stopper or rim protector. So Knicks fans should have been content to watch his latest heavy-duty crossover on the boards, collecting 15 rebounds in the win, with four on the offensive glass. This is its best overall bounce since December 14 last week.
He also banned two shots and caught a robber, which appears to be bringing the energy to the defensive end as well.
Cities is such an offensive weapon that if he can at least compete defensively, he is moving to make the Knicks extremely bold.
3. Two is gout
He didn’t light up the scoreboard like he did on opening night, but Miles McBride still got Knicks fans a little excited on Friday. He ended up limping around with what looked like a core or ankle injury in the second quarter, and headed to the storage room to get a quick check-up later. It was a scary generation for the Knicks, who are coming to rely on McBride to control the second unit all season long when Jalen Brunson sits.
Speed: It wasn’t exactly Willis Reed coming out of the tunnel, McBride put aside any concerns when he returned in the third quarter and then hit a 3-pointer from the corner to let everyone know he was fine.
Injuries are never fun and always concerning, so it was perfect to see McBride return to the ground in the crushing victory.
4. Superb stability
Some of the benefits of the Knicks this season is their maximum intensity. Like the Celtics, Untouched York has a maximum of six that can hurt you with a few directions, and any player is capable of hitting 30 on any given night. Friday night was a great example, as four starters (Brunson, Bridges, The Town and Josh Hart) scored at least 20 points in the win.
The team that finished the season relied heavily on Brunson and Julius Randle offensively, averaging 29 and 24 points respectively with a combined usage rate of 60%. If Friday night is any indication, the attack should be more balanced this week.
