Knicks Examine Towns’ Offensive Role; McBride Rehab Progresses, Diawara Steadies Bench
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NEW YORK — Head coach Mike Brown and center Karl-Anthony Towns are under pressure to streamline the big man’s place in the Knicks’ attack after a stretch of uneven production, according to multiple reports.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post notes that Towns is averaging the fewest field-goal attempts and lowest scoring numbers of his career since his rookie season. Brown’s system has left the three-time All-Star with “least-defined” responsibilities, and both coach and player are expected to address the issue.
Towns, who has been floated in trade rumors dating back to last summer—most prominently in theoretical packages for Giannis Antetokounmpo—said he is focused on contributing in New York. “I continue to worry about what’s the task at hand,” Towns told Newsday. “Every game is about: can I impact winning the most?”
McBride still without return date
Guard Miles McBride remains sidelined after late-January sports-hernia surgery. “It’s going to be a process coming back,” McBride told Bondy. The 23-year-old has begun stationary form shooting and light strengthening work but cautioned that his timetable is “really a slow process.” McBride is in the midst of a career-best season and is viewed as vital to the club’s playoff depth.
Diawara weathers rotation shake-up
Rookie forward Mohamed Diawara briefly lost minutes when Brown auditioned recently acquired Jeremy Sochan. The coach acknowledged the potential hit to a young player’s confidence but praised Diawara’s reaction. The first-round pick responded with 10 points and a team-high plus-minus against Milwaukee, then added 14 points in Sunday’s blowout of San Antonio.
Knicks halt Spurs’ streak
New York snapped the Spurs’ 11-game winning run behind Mikal Bridges’ hot shooting and combined defensive efforts from OG Anunoby and Towns on rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks forced seven turnovers from Wembanyama and limited him to two fourth-quarter points. “I told our guys: let that thing fly,” Brown said after the victory. “Once we started letting it fly, good things started to happen.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
