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[New York Knicks]

Save the Date: Knicks vs. Pistons tips off Saturday at the Garden

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

Mark your calendar.

We have an official date: your New York Knicks (51-31), the third seed of the Eastern Conference, will face the upstart Detroit Pistons (44-38) in the first round. Game One will be played on Saturday, April 19, at 6pm EST at Madison Square Garden.

Game 1 of Knicks-Pistons is 6pm on Saturday, NBA announces

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 14, 2025​

Few would have predicted this matchup a year ago. The Pistons finished last season a dismal 14-68—the worst record in the NBA—and recorded a historic 28-game losing streak. But they sacked Monty Williams, and under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit has authored one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent memory. They enter the playoffs as the sixth seed and one of the league’s most improved teams.

The Knicks will be favored in the series, due to their depth and experience. New York lost the season series, however, 3-1, with the most recent—and most disappointing loss—occurring just last week.

All eyes will focus on the battle between All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Cade Cunningham. The latter has had a career year leading Detroit’s young core and averaged 26 points and nine assists over 70 games.

Stay tuned: more coverage and a full preview of the series is on the way. Go Knicks.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...ks-vs-pistons-tips-off-saturday-at-the-garden

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: 'I guess Thibs was okay with us being aggressive’

Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images

Would you believe the Knicks beat the Nets!? Yes, of course you would, because it's the same old Nets.

Just when you thought the Nets might go on to upset the Knicks, Brooklyn paid homage to its history in the League and flopped, losing 113-105 to New York in both teams’ season finale.

Everybody was happy with the results, as all folks in attendance, including our own Russell Richardson, had a nice and short trip back home.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few Knickerbockers had to say before and after yesterday’s affair.

"I think the best basketball is ahead for this team" -Wally Szczerbiak on the Knicks heading into a potentially physical first round against the Pistons.

Catch the full @NYKnicks Playoff Preview Special on The Gotham Sports App!@wallyball | @alanhahn | @BillPidto pic.twitter.com/ssNwl5yfCv

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) April 14, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On Landy Shamet’s performance on Sunday and his value:

“The way he finished the season was terrific. He just makes really good basketball plays. He knows how to space the floor, how to move without the ball, he’s good in transition, knows how to play off people. He doesn’t force things. When he’s open he shoots, and when he’s guarded he makes the right play. I think that goes a long way. He has the ability to think on his feet and he’s a great competitor.”

On resting players in the regular-season finale:

“It was really medical, the recommendation that they had. Then we thought that that was the best thing for our team. We’re always going to put that first.”

On evaluating the young players:

“The starters were out, good opportunity to give the bench guys extended minutes and to get a look at [the young guys]. I thought McCullar was fantastic in the second half. He was huge.”

"They know what it's gonna be. We know what it's gonna be. Guys gotta do what we gotta do"

–– PJ Tucker on Knicks matching Pistons physicality in 1st round pic.twitter.com/LQf4ssHSv8

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

Miles McBride​

On the bench unit’s contributions:

“I feel like we [the second unit] are playing really good basketball. I feel like we’ve given a good spark off the bench, guys like Cam, Landry, myself do whatever we can. And then obviously we have bigs: Precious, Mitch.

“So whoever’s night it is coming off the bench, we’re gonna continue to play positive and play the right way.”

On Shamet’s performance against Brooklyn and his preparation:

“It’s what he does.”

Mikal Bridges started, committed a foul, and checked out after 6 seconds just so he could keep up his streak of games played

He's currently at 556 pic.twitter.com/zBHSSg1kT9

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2025​

Mikal Bridges​

On Tom Thibodeau’s strategy against Brooklyn, removing him after six seconds of play following an intentional foul:

“I guess [Thibs] was okay with us being aggressive, pressuring the ball.”

On giving his minutes to young teammates in the season finale:

“I could play a quarter, play a half. But that would take away from young guys—Pac [Pacome Dadiet] and Kev [Kevin McCullar Jr]. For their minutes to come up there, Landry [Shamet] coming out there, playing more.

“So it’s more just taking minutes away from them versus—I took a lot of minutes all 81 [games] prior, so just give them guys a chance, give them a chance to play and play the right way.”

On playing every game and what drives him:

“Just trying to be available. Just for my team – trying to win as many games as possible and be out there for my team. And I think we have a better chance [if I’m on the floor]. So just be out there as much as possible.”

On how he maintains durability:

“I think it’s just a lot of everything. The lifts and the treatment and stuff like that. Put in a lot. Just try to stick to what works.”

On returning to Barclays Center after his trade to the Knicks:

“I always love playing here, my teammates here, a lot of guys still here, the coaching staff before I got traded. I was with them in the summer before I got out of there, and they’re great people, too.

“The staff, the workers, it’s a great energy when I walk into here.”

On trying to match Chris Paul’s complete 82 starts year in his 20th NBA season:

“I don’t know. That’s why CP is one of the greatest. But I don’t think I’ll make it that long.”

Stan Van Gundy (Former NBA Coach)​

On Knicks fans and their support:

“Well, they’re passionate … love affair? I don’t know. Love affair when they’re playing well, and hate affair when they’re not playing well. The Knicks fans and the Philly fans, they are … they’re front-running fans. They’re in love with their team when things are going well, but they’ll boo their team off the floor when they’re not playing well. That’s not a crowd that’s focused on lifting you up.”

On how the Knicks will treat the series against Detroit:

“I know this: Tom [Thibodeau] and his coaching staff aren’t gonna overlook anybody. Tom never has. I think they’ll have great respect for Detroit and what they’ve done, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. And I think the Knicks have veteran guys who have been through battles, and they’re mature. They understand that you respect everybody. There’s no way you could look at that Detroit team — how well they’ve played, how hard they play, how hard they compete — and think anything’s gonna be easy. There’s just no chance of that.”

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith says he has “no choice” but to contemplate a run for president.

“I would hope somebody else would step up that's more qualified than me, but if it has to come down to me, it is something I would consider.” https://t.co/IdW7zXspwA pic.twitter.com/XzuYLG9HVh

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 13, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...guess-thibs-was-okay-with-us-being-aggressive

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘Being veteran experienced playoff writers, you understand that’

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

It’s NBA Playoffs time!

The NBA said goodbye to the regular season and hello to the Play-In portion of the postseason on Sunday.

The New York Knicks, as is their wont, will not take part in that silly tournament and instead tip-off their playoffs run on Saturday when they take on the Detroit Pistons for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference’s first-round matchup.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few other Knickerbockers and Bad Boys had said about the upcoming series in the past few hours.

Game 1 Knicks-Pistons is set:
️ 4/19 SATURDAY 6PM
️ Madison Square Garden
ESPN pic.twitter.com/PMz5FdTkof

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 14, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On the possibility of trimming his playoff rotation:

“You just do what’s best for the team.

“Most teams do. I know you guys are aware of that; being veteran-experienced playoff writers, you understand that.”

On Cade Cunningham’s season and how to defend him:

“He’s had a terrific season. It’s not just [against] us, he’s done it against everybody. We understand that.

“With great players you don’t guard them individually, you guard them collectively. So we have to understand what goes into that.”

On the team’s mindset entering the playoffs:

“I just said to our team—you win 51 games, you’re the third seed, so you’ve earned the right to be in the playoffs. You’re not in the play-in, so you have a week to prepare and get ready for the next challenge.

“It’s really a new season. The regular season puts you in position, gives you the opportunity. You want to finish with the highest seed possible and then you start all over. Everyone’s record is zero and zero. You’ve got to earn everything again.

“We have to understand what goes into it. In terms of preparation, we’re big believers in how we prepare. Now it’s time to get ready and study.”

On how hard it will be to beat Detroit:

“They’ve had a fantastic season. We just played them recently so I think we have a feel for what their strengths are.

“But we have to dig a lot deeper into them to know them really well. We have respect for them, but we understand that it’s going to take 48 minutes of good basketball to win.”

"I think the best basketball is ahead for this team" -Wally Szczerbiak on the Knicks heading into a potentially physical first round against the Pistons.

Catch the full @NYKnicks Playoff Preview Special on The Gotham Sports App!@wallyball | @alanhahn | @BillPidto pic.twitter.com/ssNwl5yfCv

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) April 14, 2025​

Miles McBride​

On the team’s readiness for the playoffs:

“We’re going to bring our best. That’s all I know. That’s all I’ve got. We’re going to bring our best.”

On defending Cade Cunningham:

“Great player, obviously size, shooting ability. He’s a three-level scorer so we’ve just got to do our best to stop him as a team… whatever we can do as a team to slow him down. We’ve got to bring our best.”

OK Unc pic.twitter.com/a0Uf6C47xq

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

Jalen Brunson​

On his health and confidence post-injury:

“I feel great. I feel better. Just continuing to strive for that, just making sure I’m 100 percent myself going forward.

“I feel like I’m past [the injury] for the most part. Obviously, it’s human nature to think about things, but for the most part, I’m past it.”

Mikal Bridges plays 6 seconds on the last day of the season to extend his consecutive games played streak to 556, encompassing all of his 7 seasons pic.twitter.com/sPw1lKGHam

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

Mikal Bridges​

On Cade Cunningham’s game and development:

“Throughout the whole year, just a really good player. Just goes at his own pace, he’s calm at all times. And I think this year, even the year before, but this year [especially], more playmaking … Making more reads. Getting other guys open, knowing he has the ball in his hands more, but still getting other guys going, knowing he has more opportunities.”

On the Knicks’ growth this season:

“We’ve definitely grown. We learned a lot about each other and I think we’re in the right spot. We just have to play hard and play our way.”

On his mindset entering the playoffs:

“We’re ready to go…. Got time to get right and get ready, but we’re for sure ready. We’ve definitely grown so much from the beginning. We learned a lot about each other and are learning more about each other. I think we’re in the right spot, we’ve just got to go out there and play hard and play our way.”

"Gonna be a war"

–– Cade Cunningham on Knicks-Pistons series pic.twitter.com/qV8MEjhrz6

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons Player)​

On what making the playoffs means to Detroit:

“It is special for us. We’re super happy for the city and the fan base. [But] we’re not satisfied at all. [We’re] still hungry. We want to go win this first round. The chip that last year put on our shoulders, I think everybody understands that and wanted to come in and make a change.”

On the physicality and challenge of facing the Knicks:

“It’s going to be a war. It’s going to be highly physical games — defense, battling it out on the glass, all of those different things. I think it’s going to be a super exciting series for people at home to watch, and it’s going to be a great test for us as far as first round, first series in a long time for the organization. So it’s exciting, and I think it’s going to be a great one for us.”

On his personal ambitions in the NBA:

“I want to be the best player in the world. That’s every day, you know what I’m saying? That’s what my phone tells me every day is the best player in the world, you know what I’m saying? So that’s the only thing I’m striving for—having the best team in the world. I don’t think there’s too many players that you could argue above me. Obviously, the playoffs is going to determine a lot, and so that’s why I’m just excited and looking forward to these series and getting this thing rolling and waking people up as far as what is in Detroit and the type of respect that we deserve.”

On being viewed as one of the NBA’s next stars:

“I’m right there. I’m not trying to push my case right now. I’m not trying to knock anybody else’s case right now. I think at the end of the day, everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, and you get to watch all of us play and figure that out for yourself.”

Malik Beasley (Detroit Pistons Player)​

On how the Pistons approach the playoffs:

“The regular season is the regular season. Everything is different in the playoffs. We feel confident, but at the same time, they’re a great team, so we need to play our basketball … grit-and-grind basketball. We do that, I like our matchup against any team.”

Listen to the way KG and Paul Pierce talk about Austin Reaves LLLMMFFAAOOO

“Austin Reaves out there playing with black man energy” -Kevin Garnett pic.twitter.com/tnGwyHFlLG

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) April 12, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...perienced-playoff-writers-you-understand-that

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘What kind of confidence do I have? The most’

Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

New York gears up to host the Good Boys.

The Knicks practiced for the first time ahead of their first-round matchup with the Pistons on Tuesday.

New York will tip off the series at home, hosting Game 1 on Saturday and Game 2 next week as they try to get a nice and solid 2-0 advantage over Detroit before going to Motown.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few other Knicks said after yesterday’s session.

"It's a small sample size, but we've had some good minutes with them" - Tom Thibodeau on the Karl-Anthony Towns / Mitchell Robinson pairing

Will the Knicks use the duo in the playoffs? "A lot of it depends on who they have on the floor, but I like it a lot" pic.twitter.com/JfQL082bPt

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 15, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On using the two-center lineup:

“It’s a small sample size. But we’ve had some good minutes with them, particularly down the stretch here as Mitch has been able to get more rhythm. It’s been good. It depends, a lot of it depends on who they have on the floor, but I like it a lot.”

On Jalen Brunson’s leadership and consistency:

“Never (surprised about it). You guys see it every night. It doesn’t surprise you. I try not to take it for granted, and I appreciate all he brings to our team and that he plays to win.

“His competitive spirit is spectacular. That’s all he wants to do and that’s all he’s ever been from when he was a little kid to where he is today. That’s what makes him who he is.”

On Brunson’s impact:

“Obviously we want Jalen out there, so that makes us a different team. And we’ve got to get re-acclimated to that, but that’s the challenge of the entire league.”

On preparing for Cade Cunningham:

“I study his game. He’s done it against everybody. We know how good he is and we have to be ready for him.

“I think you have more time to prepare for a game so we have to study and we have to be prepared. You don’t study how you get ready to play. You just have more time to prepare for the opponent.”

On potentially using Anunoby to defend Cunningham:

“Oh we could. When you have a great player like that, I don’t think you give him a steady diet of anything. You have to give him different looks, there’s going to be different matchups on him, but we understand we have to guard him with our team.

“It’s very difficult to guard guys of that stature individually. We have to do it collectively.”

On overcoming April’s schedule and adversity:

“The challenge was to get through that, and I thought our guys did. We had an unusual April. We had guys that were out for games, and we also had an unusual schedule with three back-to-backs [in the last eight games].”

On team adaptation through the season:

“I think that’s the nature of our league: how quickly can you adapt to things? So when you come into a new season, you always have some new faces, and how do you get everyone onto the same page? So you have to have everyone pulling together.

“And then, same thing, things happen during the course of a season, and you can lose a guy for 10 games, and then someone else comes in, and their strengths are different than the guy they’re replacing.”

Karl-Anthony Towns is looking forward to playing in his first playoff games at MSG:

"Being able to watch it on TV growing up, seeing the crowd...in a regular season game, they're special. It's on another level in the playoffs." pic.twitter.com/J6pS46y2w0

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 15, 2025​

Karl-Anthony Towns​

On Malik Beasley’s shooting:

“He’s always been able to shoot. I’ve seen it firsthand. When he was with us in Minnesota, I believe he broke the 3-point scoring record and Anthony [Edwards] just broke it now.

“I’ve always known he’s a tremendous shooter, one of the best shooters this league has to offer. And the way he shoots, the different types of 3s he shoots, just proves his talent level. He’s a tough guard obviously. We have someone I know well, have to definitely find a way to limit his 3s.”

On his trust in Thibodeau’s game plan for Cunningham:

“Thibs is a great coach. We know he puts the time into the craft. We trust him, he’s going to do everything in his power to put us out there with the best knowledge to move forward and have a way to win.”

On facing Cade Cunningham:

“I mean, he’s a great player. He’s had an amazing season. We know he’s special. So it’s our job to find a way to win with them having that special player.”

On what it takes to win in the playoffs:

“Just executing. We had this week to prepare, come up with a great game plan offensively and defensively. We’ve just got to execute at the end of the day. In my experience the team that executes at a higher level wins the game.”

On preparing for Game 1 at MSG:

“It’s special. Obviously for me, I’ve never had a playoff series in the Garden, so being able to watch it on TV growing up and to see the crowd, just let alone the regular season game, they’re special. So, I can only imagine it’s on another level in the playoffs.

“It’s our job to bring our best foot forward and do the best we can in front of our fans, and obviously, you want to see wins as much as we do. So, we’re all in this together with the fans. So, we’re going to go out there and do our best.”

On working on team chemistry through the week leading to Game 1:

“We’ve got days now where we can definitely get work in. Also these last couple of games have been great for [Jalen] to get that rhythm back and do what he does best.

“Just continue to work. We’ve done a lot of things this year with each other and as a team, so just building on that.”

Jalen Brunson evaluates the Pistons:

"They bring a level of physicality that is known with J.B. Bickerstaff teams...they embrace that" pic.twitter.com/QNB3Ptilqa

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 15, 2025​

Jalen Brunson​

On the ups and downs of the season:

“I think for us, it’s, like any other season, it’s a roller coaster every year, there’s gonna be ups and downs, and it’s all about how you manage it. But now that the regular season’s over, it’s all about how we can move on and be better the next day.

“I know it’s a term that people don’t like to hear, but we learn from what we did in the past, good and bad, and move on and get better. That’s the name of the game at this stage of the season. … So we’re just focused. We still got a long way to go with preparation, still got a long way to go making sure we’re ready to go for Saturday. We’ll be ready.”

On his confidence entering the playoffs:

“What kind of confidence do I have? The most.”

On embracing his leadership role:

“For me, having the title as captain is an honor. I think the more I go through, the more I learn, the more I can be better at it. To be able to go out there and help put us in position to be in the playoffs and stuff like that, obviously,

“I don’t take it for granted, but there’s a long way to go with me being the best version of that title.”

On the challenge of guarding Cade Cunningham:

“That’s a very good question, a very in-depth and strategic question that I don’t want to say with all these people here.”

On slowing Cunningham and team defense:

“It’s very important. Cade is a guy who makes a lot of decisions over there. It’s best if we don’t play him one-on-one. We have to have each other’s back regardless. Obviously, you got to guard at the point of attack but we have to have each other’s back when he’s trying to get his game in the paint. He’s been playing great. He’s been playing as everyone’s expected, and he’s showing that ability. It’s going to be a challenge, regardless, and he’s playing at a high level. And we’ve just got to be ready.”

On finding rhythm and balance:

“I think the balance is there. Obviously, we didn’t finish the season the way we wanted to as a team, but I think this week will help, going to the playoffs and knowing what’s at stake will help. We do all that work during the season to get to this point to see where we are. There’s been ups and downs. Now that we’re here, it’s: What are we going to do now?”

On Detroit’s physical style of play:

“It’s definitely a challenge. They bring a level of physicality that is known with J.B. Bickerstaff teams… I think they embrace that. They embrace him. They got a good thing going over there, and so it’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

"I asked him 'You just got here, why are you the one being the voice in the huddle?' And he said 'Because no one else is…I had to do that in Milwaukee (championship team)…Somebody had to be that guy…I relish that role'…"

–– Alan Hahn on PJ Tucker pic.twitter.com/0qdYHBhur0

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 13, 2025​

PJ Tucker​

On what matters most in the playoffs:

“You just got to play, man.

“It’s so funny [that when] we go into a series every time people talk about strategy and what we’re going to do. When it comes down to it, players got to play. No matter what, we’ve got to match their energy as a team. It’s going to take everybody. Just everybody has to be ready.”

On matching Detroit’s physicality:

“There’s no way to match the physicality other than to match it. It is what it is. We know what it’s going to be. They know what it’s going to be. So guys got to come in and do what we got to do. Step up to the challenge.”

"Officially launching in New York…enjoy the product"

Carmelo Anthony cannabis is here pic.twitter.com/2kywVpdmOt

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 15, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...in-what-kind-of-confidence-do-i-have-the-most

 

[New York Knicks]

Delon’s Ink

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

A full breakdown of Delon Wright’s tattoos

There was a time in the 90s when there wasn’t a single Knick with a tattoo. If my memory serves me correctly, Hubert Davis and Monty Williams were the first two Knicks to display tattoos on their arms. Hubert Davis had a cross on his bicep with DAVIS serving as the horizontal bar of the cross, while Monty Williams had a small little Kung-Fu fighter on his right bicep.

Boy, have things changed since then. When the Knicks had Melo, Shumpert, JR Smith, and Tyson Chandler, they were one of the most tattooed teams in the league. This year’s roster may not be the most tattooed in the league, but the Knicks certainly have their fair share of players with unique works of art covering almost every portion of their bodies from the neck down.

This week, I wanted to focus on one of the newest Knicks, Delon Wright, and his works of art. His recent play has certainly earned him some love on this page, so rather than another article on his recent play, let’s learn a little bit more about Delon through his unique art.

Delon was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles, and there’s no shortage of tattoos paying homage to his hometown, starting with the Dodgers “LA” logo on the inner portion of his right bicep. Above the Dodger’s logo, Delon covered his right shoulder with a depiction of the Hollywood and Highland cross streets sign, Los Angeles skyscrapers, bridges, an old school car, and palm trees in the background.

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Along the inner portion of Delon’s right forearm, Delon has the entire state of California outlined with both shadows and negative space.

In addition to representing his hometown through multiple spaces on his arms, one of Delon’s most impressive works of art is a full torso tattoo on his chest that fans rarely get to see underneath his jersey. For this piece, Delon chose to go under anesthesia for the session. The incredible work of art includes a bouncing low rider, the “Welcome to South Central” sign, the 105 East highway sign, and the year 1992 right below his neck representing the year he was born, with more palm trees and skyscrapers to fill his entire torso.

Delon’s family and his roots are two of the most important aspects of his life, and he honors his loved ones in numerous ways.

Just above the California state tattoo on his right forearm, Delon has his mother’s name, STACY, inked in a custom script. Beside it are the words FAMILY FIRST, accompanied by a pair of praying hands.

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

On the opposite side of his right forearm, Wright has the word BLESSED with a dove flying above, tattooed with shadowing that outlines the word that he added years after he originally got the tattoo. This tattoo starts from the top of his elbow and goes down to his wrist.

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

On Delon’s right underarm, he has the iconic “Laugh Now, Cry Later” masks, with the phrase LAUGH NOW CRY LATER inked around the artwork.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

As many NBA fans know, Delon’s brother Dorell also played in the league. On his left shoulder, Delon honors their shared journey with a tattoo of the two brothers standing side by side as teenagers playing basketball with the words THE WRIGHT WAY. A clever play on their last name that celebrates how their path, rooted in family and hard work, led them both to the NBA. Rounding out the piece is another Smile Now Cry Later masks, this time though in the form of two balloons

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

On the top of Delon’s left wrist, he has the names of his brother, DORELL, and sister, DANAE, tattooed together beneath a full-size skull, accented by roses on the top of his forearm. Just below his ‘WRIGHT WAY’ tattoo, his left bicep features a crown and a pair of dice, along with ‘D 3’ inked vertically along the inner arm. To complete the sleeve, Delon incorporated extensive shading, including a dollar sign symbol sign, once again utilizing shadows and negative space.

Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

Lastly, on Delon’s left leg is a cross with the words “GOD’S SON.”

Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2025/4/16/24409807/delons-ink

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘I don’t want to force up an extra 100 makes with bad habits’

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

New York waits anxiously for G1 against the Pistons inside Madison Square Garden.

One more day of practice, one fewer day of wait.

The New York Knicks hit the gym and the press room for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as they keep getting reps ahead of their first-round matchup against the Pistons.

Here’s what Coach Thibs and a few other Knicks said after Wednesday’s session.

Tom Thibodeau says Precious Achiuwa can give the Knicks minutes in the frontcourt in addition to the Mitchell Robinson/Karl-Anthony Towns pairing pic.twitter.com/hmz2xKrvY3

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 16, 2025​

Tom Thibodeau​

On Detroit’s three-point shooting threats:

“[Tim] Hardaway [Jr.] is a 3-point shooter. [Malik] Beasley had a monster year from 3. [Cade] Cunningham can shoot it. You look at it, you study it, and you have to prepare for what you’re facing next.”

On Josh Hart’s all-around skillset:

“I think he’s unique because he rebounds the ball at a really elite level. He’ll go get them when it matters the most, in traffic. [It’s] his ability to push the ball and play with pace. And he can out-quick most guys that are guarding him. He’s very good in dribble handoffs, making plays off the dribble. Pick and roll, playing out of the pocket, moving without the ball. Those are all things that he brings. Then the hustle plays are huge. He plays much bigger than his size.”

On what makes Hart valuable regardless of shooting:

“He’s a basketball player. So what is he? He’s hard to quantify and describe all of the things that he does. He’s more of a scorer than a pure shooter, but he can shoot. And he’s great without the ball, great on the break. Just read the game. If you’re open, shoot. If you’re guarded, make a play. He can play extremely well even if he’s not shooting well. That’s what we need from him.”

On how to deal with Pistons forward Tobias Harris:

“Really good veteran leadership. He can shoot, he can drive, he can post — he’s a tough matchup. He makes quick decisions. When he’s open, he shoots. When he’s guarded, he makes a play. We know how good he is. We’ve got to be ready for that.”

On the rising physicality in the NBA, let alone during the playoffs:

“I think that’s where the league is right now, there’s been a lot more physicality and so I think you have to embrace that and I think most teams have. And then you step it up into a playoff [series] where you’re playing the same opponent over and over again, the intensity does get high and the physicality will be ramped up.”

"We have to not just match that physicality, but exceed it"

Josh Hart looks ahead to the Knicks' first round matchup with the Pistons: pic.twitter.com/0IbYPjz4rn

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 16, 2025​

Josh Hart​

On expecting Knicks fans to flood Detroit despite ticket restrictions:

“After [what happened in] Philly last year, I don’t blame ’em. New York, they have the best fans in the world, that’s the one thing that’s different about this fan base is how they travel. It’s cool to see the difference, I was in LA and the Lakers have one of the biggest fan bases in the world. There’s Lakers fans everywhere. So it’s tough to see how they travel, because there’s just so many fans anywhere in the country. But then seeing the Knicks fans, you see and you hear everything about everyone’s traveling and getting tickets and flights and those kind of things. So it’s really cool. it’s really cool to see that. And knowing Knicks fans, they’re gonna find a way to get those tickets. So I know they’re not really too stressed. The only way for them not to get those tickets is if the [Pistons] owner buys a couple thousand tickets.”

On Tobias Harris as a playoff threat:

“He’s always been a really good player. He can shoot the ball, he can put it on the floor and he can play in the post. So, he’s a tough matchup and he makes quick decisions. When he’s open he shoots, when he’s guarded he makes a play. We know how good he is. We have to be ready for that.”

On the Knicks’ playoff readiness:

“We all know what the playoffs takes and we’re picking up the preparation mentally and physically.”

On facing the Pistons’ physicality:

“We have to not just match that physicality, but exceed it. I think there are times when you can use that to your advantage and to be able to get to the free throw line and draw fouls and do those kind of things. We know what kind of game it’s gonna be, we know what we have to be prepared for physically and mentally and obviously that physicality for the series is gonna be, you know probably one of the more physical series in the playoffs.”

On MSG atmosphere for teammates:

“They’ll get a feel for The Garden and how electric it is in the playoffs. [I’m] excited to see how they are with that Garden, because that Garden come playoff time is one of the best arenas in the world.”

On his leadership and playmaking mindset:

“I take that onus of getting guys involved pretty seriously.”

On his shooting preparation ahead of the playoffs:

“This week is a good week to really put the work in on it. I’m working in practice, getting some shots up. After practice, my friend has a court at his house so getting shots up before practice at the house. And I’m shooting at the facility at night or back at his house at night. So I’m getting probably two or three workouts and shooting just to make sure I’m comfortable and confident with it.”

On shot selection and keeping teammates involved:

“Last playoffs I was extremely comfortable with added shots. I kind of take it upon myself to make sure the guys get put in good position for good shots and try to get them a touch. Sometimes on the outside looking in, people might see that, and I might be open. But I try to get something else and they might not like that or might hate that, but I’m going to play my game. So I know the shots are going to be there, but I also want to make sure we get those guys involved offensively because the ball has energy. And when guys are making shots, everything is better in terms of communications, in terms of defensive effort, those kind of things. So I’m obviously going to shoot the shots that I have to take and I’m comfortable taking. But [I’m] also going to make sure I help get other guys touches.”

On his shooting routine and rhythm:

“I don’t want to force up an extra hundred makes with bad habits. That doesn’t benefit me in the long run. It’s about my body feeling right, and the reps being good reps.”

On outside criticism in New York:

“The criticism—they’re gonna love you some days and hate you other days, so you’ve gotta put the criticism out at the end of the day. The only thing that matters is if you put the work in, the team knows you put the work in, and you empty the tank. So as long as you do that, a lot of time you’re gonna find success. So I don’t think anyone’s worried about the criticism at all for those guys or anyone on the team. But excited to see how they are with that Garden, because that Garden playoff time is one of the best arenas in the world.”

What is OG Anunoby looking forward to the most about playoff basketball getting underway?

"The atmosphere, the fans, it's awesome" pic.twitter.com/p2kV8VMBta

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 16, 2025​

OG Anunoby​

On how to fix the Knicks’ three-point defense:

“Improving communication. Closing out better, try to limit more 3s.”

On Detroit’s offensive weapons:

“We’re gonna try to key in on everyone. They’re a team full of great players. Malik can really shoot. Tim can really shoot. Tobias is a great player. [Jalen] Duren is a great player. They have a great team.”

On the Knicks’ physicality:

“We’re a physical team as well, I think we just have to show it.”

On Josh Hart’s playing style:

“It’s the balance of being aggressive and then also being a connector. But he does a good job of doing both.”

On guarding Cade Cunningham:

“He’s a great player. It’s gonna be a team effort. Just try to make it difficult for him every possession.”

On Cunningham’s skillset:

“[He’s] just a great all-around player. Can shoot, drive, pass, can do everything.”

On MSG in the playoffs:

“I think you don’t know until you experience it.”

Amar’e Stoudemire sporting a Zibanejad jersey on the slopes ‍

(via: @NBA_NewYorkCity) pic.twitter.com/SPdAM8AKH9

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 16, 2025​

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...o-force-up-an-extra-100-makes-with-bad-habits