It was an opening night of mixed emotions for the New York Knicks but star guard Jalen Brunson believes the defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers – and debutant LeBron James – will do them good in the long run.
The Knicks were handed their championship rings before the contest in recognition of their achievements last season but the celebratory atmosphere soon changed at tip-off.
Brunson and his team-mates struggled to get anything going and the 76ers came away with a 106-100 win to quieten a previously rowdy Madison Square Garden crowd and gain revenge for their second-round play-off loss last season.
It was a quick reminder that the NBA waits for no man and Brunson acknowledged that after the game.
“I think it’s good for us to get knocked down off the mountain, humble ourselves, put our egos in check,” Brunson said. “I’ve told you guys since day one, whatever happens the first couple of weeks of the season, I’m not sure that’s who we really are.
“They made things difficult for us. Obvious for me, shots weren’t falling. We can make all the excuses in the world. Like I said, I’m just happy we can move forward now.”
Brown relieved Brunson did not rescue Knicks
Brunson shot just 6-of-19 from the field and was also ineffective in the fourth quarter – so often a point in the game when he comes alive – shooting 1-for-five.
“If Jalen Brunson hits those shots down the stretch and we win, for me personally as their coach, there’s going to be something inside of me that wished it wouldn’t happen,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “It’s almost like you’re playing with fire and you ended up winning that time without any water or one of them fire blankets to cover the fire.
“We put ourselves in a hole not doing the other little things and, you know, sometimes it works at the end of the game, sometimes it doesn’t.”
James ‘blessed’ to still be playing
It was a night of frustration for the Knicks but offered an indication as to what Philly could produce this season with James, starting his record-setting 24th NBA season, instrumental.
The 41-year-old scored 14 points and added nine rebounds and seven assists in a solid all-round display.
He said: ”I feel a lot better; I still need to get my rhythm. Just been over two weeks with the new squad, but I like the way we played. I think we played exceptionally well, especially defensively. We didn’t shoot the ball well, but we have capable shooters.
“I am just trying to make plays to win; I’m very familiar with every scenario this game has offered. I am blessed to still be playing at this level, and blessed to play in this building here; it’s so special.”
James quietens chants from New York neighbours
The only blot on James’ night was an altercation with a court-side supporter who mocked the superstar’s use of a helicopter to get from his New York residence to Philadelphia. He also faced chants of ‘we don’t want you’ from the home fans following his decisions to live in the Big Apple.
Despite that, James said it was a cool experience to share in the Knicks’ ring-giving evening.
“It was a great night for New York fans,” James said. “Obviously, it’s something… 50+ years. I was a part of that at one point where we hadn’t won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years. The fans will never forget this moment, will never forget that championship run.
“We were happy that we were just able to come and play on such a historical night, a historical building, and play the game we love.”
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