Knicks to Shift Mikal Bridges’ Defensive Role Under Coach Mike Brown
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NEW YORK — First-year Knicks head coach Mike Brown plans to deploy Mikal Bridges against the opposition’s top perimeter scorer — regardless of position — instead of limiting him to point-guard duties, he said after practice on Wednesday, October 8.
“If Reggie Miller were still playing, I’d throw Mikal on Reggie,” Brown explained, praising Bridges’ ability to navigate screens and contest shots with his length. Brown added that Bridges will still guard some point guards, but “he won’t always be at the point of the ball.”
Last season Bridges faced a league-high 25 on-ball screens per game, the most in the 13 years the NBA has tracked the metric, a tactic designed to preserve Jalen Brunson’s energy for offense. Brown’s revamped scheme aims to create more turnovers and transition chances through amplified off-ball aggression and help rotations.
Hart Ill, May Miss Timberwolves Matchup
Josh Hart missed two straight practices because of an illness and is questionable for Thursday’s preseason game against Minnesota. Hart arrived at camp wearing a splint on his right ring finger and later sat out the second game in Abu Dhabi with back spasms. Brown said he is uncertain whether the back issue has fully resolved.
Starters’ Minutes to Rise
None of New York’s starters logged more than 18 minutes in the two overseas contests, but Brown intends to increase their workload now that the team is back stateside. “Getting closer to the season, we’re still preparing as well as we need to be,” Brunson said. “Everything matters in what we do.”
McBride Blocks Out Trade Chatter
Miles McBride, rumored as a potential trade piece while the Knicks finalize their roster, avoids speculation by staying off social media. The guard, on a team-friendly contract and considered a good fit for Brown’s system, expressed his desire to remain in New York. “I love being here. I want to be a Knick for life,” he said. “I can’t control anything, so I’m just going to come to work until they tell me otherwise.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
