New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns offered a revealing comparison during media day, linking his All-NBA teammate Jalen Brunson to Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry in the context of the team’s new offensive approach under coach Mike Brown.
“JB’s one of the best point guards in the NBA, so, of course, when he has the ball in his hand, everyone takes notice,” Towns said. “If Mike has said that, then we’re gonna have to do a better job of getting him open, in a way like Steph Curry. We’re going to have to find ways to make it easier for him to get the ball with space and help him get clean looks at the rim.”
Brown is aiming to reshape Brunson’s game from a ball-dominant guard under former coach Tom Thibodeau to a more off-ball, movement-oriented threat capable of generating higher-quality shots for himself and his teammates.
Brown Emphasizes Catch-and-Shoot Opportunities
“He seems like he’s a versatile player,” Brown said of Brunson during media day. “And the biggest thing I want to do for him is try to get him, like everybody else, easy shots. One of the easiest shots in basketball is a catch-and-shoot three. I’m a big proponent of touching the paint and spraying the basketball for a catch-and-shoot three.”
Brown also stressed movement off the ball, saying, “Within what we do, we’re going to try to get him in a lot of those situations. On top of that, whether it’s on the dribble drive or a cut, if you touch the paint and get off of it, we want you to keep moving.”
Last season, catch-and-shoot opportunities made up just 10.5% of Brunson’s shot attempts, and that number dropped to 7.1% in the playoffs. The shift toward more off-ball action is part of Brown’s effort to make the Knicks’ offense less predictable while taking advantage of the roster’s additional firepower.
Curry as the Blueprint
GettyJalen Brunson being guarded by Stephen Curry.
Towns readily cited Curry as the player most closely aligned with Brown’s vision. Curry’s constant off-ball movement has been central to his success, allowing him to generate 30% of his shot attempts from catch-and-shoot situations, 26% from beyond the arc.
Brown confirmed that Brunson has embraced the new style during optional workouts, noting, “You have to be in great condition to play this way, but he seems like he’s embraced it. I’m looking forward to seeing if we can continue to find ways—especially when we start playing games—to get him some catch-and-shoot looks. The ball will be in his hands, especially down the stretch. Making the game easier throughout is going to be a big thing.”
A New Era in New York
With the Knicks aiming to break free of Thibodeau’s system that leaned heavily on Brunson as the primary creator, Brown’s egalitarian offensive philosophy is expected to open up scoring opportunities for the entire roster. Towns’ willingness to screen and move off the ball mirrors the pace-and-space concepts that have made players like Curry and other Warriors stars nearly impossible to defend.
“Again, I don’t know too much right now, but what I can say is, if he said that, my idea already goes to thinking of Steph Curry,” Towns said. “How do we find ways to get him open with screens and movement that can help him make it easier for him to get to the basket or shoot the ball?”
As training camp begins, all eyes will be on how Brunson adapts to this new approach and whether the Knicks’ supporting cast can effectively replicate the Curry-style spacing and movement envisioned by Brown.
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