The Knicks not only left the Cavaliers dumfounded with Tuesday’s historic comeback, but New York captain Jalen Brunson as well.
Asked to explain New York’s 115-104 overtime victory in Game 1 of the NBA‘s Eastern Conference Finals, Brunson admitted to ESPN: ‘I don’t have an answer for you.’
The Knicks had trailed by 22 points with 7:45 remaining before rolling off a 44-11 run as the Cavs broke down both offensively and defensively. But while Brunson was too polite or uninterested in casting blame on the opposition, Knicks coach Mike Brown was happy to make a finer point.
‘It’s no secret, we were attacking James Harden,’ Brown said.
In his answer, Brown was also admitting to the Knicks’ defensive limitations, but his statement about Harden effectively confirmed in the minds of fans that the former All-Star and MVP cost his team Tuesday’s game.
‘The Knicks absolutely spammed James Harden in the 4th quarter and OT,’ one fan wrote on X, adding: ‘Completely relentless target coaching.’
Knicks’ Jalen Brunson (11) drives to basket around Cavaliers’ James Harden in the fourth
The Knicks routinely got Harden in pick and rolls, where he was forced to guard Brunson
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) dunks on Harden during the fourth quarter
And how does a coach target an opposing player on offense?
As Brown showed Tuesday, it’s not terribly complicated. By running pick and rolls down the stretch, the Knicks effectively dictated Harden’s defensive assignments, repeatedly forcing him onto New York’s best ball handler and scorer, Brunson.
The strategy was nearly perfect for New York. According to the All-NBA Podcast, the Knicks did this 21 times to Harden in the fourth quarter and overtime, resulting in 1.6 points per possession on those plays.
‘Knicks fans need to organize and make sure James Harden gets back to the hotel safe & sound,’ popular NBA podcaster and blogger, Rob Perez, wrote on X. ‘Send him room service, police escort to the arena, rename it Madison Square Harden for the next week.’
‘Dude is burnt toast,’ another X user described Harden, a 15-year veteran with $411 million in career earnings.
One fan lamented that Harden didn’t foul out despite having five personals, saying that ‘would’ve helped the Cavs more.’
Exacerbating the situation for Cleveland was Kenny Atkinson’s refusal to change defensive strategies or substitute Harden out of the game.
‘Fire Atkinson on the spot!!’ one angry critic wrote on X.
‘And the Cavs did nothing defensively other than needlessly switching Harden into isolation on all but about five of those screens,’ another added. ‘Absolute coaching malpractice.’
The New York Knicks fans attend a watch party for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals
Elated Knicks fans celebrate outside MSG as New York pulls off a 22-point comeback
New Yorkers haven’t celebrated an NBA title since 1973 and haven’t seen the finals since 1999
For his part, Atkinson defended Harden and insisted he never considered taking him out of the game in favor of a better defender.
‘No,’ Atkinson said, ‘he’s been one of our best defenders in these playoffs. I trust him. Smart, great hands. Didn’t think about that.’
But it wasn’t just Harden’s historically poor defense that cursed the Cavs on Tuesday night.
The three-time NBA scoring champion also missed 7 of 8 3-point attempts while registering more turnovers (six) than made field goals (five).
‘James Harden’s defense was so bad that nobody will talk about him shooting 31% from the floor and 1-of-8 from 3,’ CBS’ Sam Quinn wrote on X.
The post-game feeling was obviously different for Knicks fans, many of whom celebrated on 7th avenue, where champagne was seen being popped outside MSG.
‘I still can’t believe what I witnessed last night at MSG. Feels like a dream,’ podcaster and Knicks fan Ariel Helwani wrote on X.
As another added amid the hysteria: ‘Lord help the city when the Knicks win a championship.’
New York last won an NBA title in 1973 and has not been to the Finals since 1999.
