With no regular-season action for the first time since Christmas Eve and the NBA kicking off All-Star weekend with two events—the Celebrity Game and the Rising Stars Challenge—held inside the cavernous Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, we don’t have much new content to share today.
Congratulations and welcome if you can still read words on paper or on your smartphone/laptop screen after seeing yesterday’s dazzling LED court!
Here are some of the comments offered by some of our Knickerbockers, all of which stem from another incredible Fred Katz (The Athletic) tale.
On his six-year professional career and what he still has to offer…
“Nothing to prove.”
On adjusting to his new role as a starter with opposing defenders focusing on him…
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“In a couple of games, I was irritated because they were denying me virtually at half court. When Julius is out, we’re a guy down, Jalen (Brunson) is doing a lot of pick-and-roll, and when I’m not on the ball, they’re face defending and denying.
Regarding reading defenses and reacting to how they close on him…
“I will continue to be aggressive with catch-and-shoots, but how are they closing on me? They are focused and aggressive. The first man flies, and they occasionally send a second one. So, much of it is
On using space to move defenders out of opposition and opening opportunities for his teammates…
