The New York Knicks are exploring options for their center position following Mitchell Robinson's season-ending injury, with potential targets including Bismack Biyombo, Clint Capela, Nick Richards, Daniel Gafford, and Andre Drummond. As they navigate this challenge, the Knicks are also embroiled in a debate ignited by Becky Hammon's comments on Jalen Brunson's size and its impact on his ability to lead a team. Hammon's remarks, which suggest that historically smaller guards face difficulties in leading a team to a championship, have been met with both agreement and defense from the basketball community. Adding to the Knicks' concerns, they are up against the Milwaukee Bucks, who have taken an early lead in their game, with the score at 36-27 after the first quarter. The Bucks' performance is bolstered by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is playing despite managing a midfoot sprain.
The Knicks' closeouts today are not on points. Times when they've come up too short. There was a possession earlier when three guys were actually too aggressive running guys off the 3-point arc, taking themselves out of the play. Now a foul on a 3-point shooter.
Bucks finally miss a 3 -- and it's a Grimes foul on a Cam Payne 3 attempt. Knicks have played the Bucks a lot this season and have not figured out how to slow them down yet.
If the Knicks don't win these bench minutes by a significant margin, this is gonna get out of hand.
The Bucks are 6-for-11 from 3 and their 3-point percentage against the Knicks this season has actually gone down.
That exchange was entertaining 🤣🤣 https://t.co/sNbjlJYkBM
Julius Randle uses his strength to finish through the contact 💪 📺 Bucks-Knicks | Live on NBA TV https://t.co/DRhwSwiVtB
Giannis put 'em in the spin cycle 🌪 https://t.co/YW23DZZUgz
Giannis spins and gets to the cup 🌪️ Bucks lead 36-27 after 1. 📺 Bucks-Knicks | Live on NBA TV https://t.co/vnJkvHF9IU
After 1: Bucks 36, Knicks 27 Giannis Antetokounmpo picks up two first quarter fouls, but Milwaukee cruises to 36 points on 57 percent shooting – including 5-for-7 from 3 – to open up an early lead. Jalen Brunson has 9 points to lead New York, while Julius Randle went 2-for-7.
Bucks continue to look comfortable playing against Knicks. After shooting 60% and scoring 146 points in their In-Season Tournament quarterfinal romp, they hit 54.5% and score 36 in the first quarter today.
If you took the Bucks -257 you’re sitting pretty right now (h/t @TalkinKnicks) https://t.co/ci1RRkX9Dj
After 1: Bucks 36, Sixers 27 Giannis Antetokounmpo picks up two first quarter fouls, but Milwaukee cruises to 36 points on 57 percent shooting – including 5-for-7 from 3 – to open up an early lead. Jalen Brunson has 9 points to lead New York, while Julius Randle went 2-for-7.
Through one quarter, the Bucks lead the Knicks 36-27. • Brunson 9 pts, 3 asts • DiVincenzo 6 pts • Randle 5 & 3 • Beasley 11 pts Bucks are 5-7 from 3.
Dating back to mid-November (a 17-game stretch), DiVincenzo is shooting over 50% from three-point territory He’s made 51 of his last 99 three-point attempts https://t.co/KCSt571hcb
The Bucks are incapable of missing a 3 against the Knicks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo draws a foul on Isaiah Hartenstein 18 seconds into Knicks-Bucks this afternoon. With no Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims for New York, Hartenstein avoiding foul trouble will be critical for the Knicks to stay in this one.
Giannis Antetokounmpo draws a foul on Isaiah Hartenstein 18 seconds into Knicks-Bucks this afternoon. With no Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims for New York, Hartenstein avoiding foul trouble will be critical for New York.
Doubleheader duty today in New York. Bucks-Knicks in the first of their two games here, with the second on Christmas. Then Pistons trying to avoid tying an record with a 26th straight loss tonight in Brooklyn.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still managing a midfoot sprain but is available & starting today for the Milwaukee #Bucks vs. the New York #Knicks https://t.co/1bq7Gpb1HF via @journalsentinel
A look at all the many different ways the #Knicks can attempt to make up for the loss of Mitchell Robinson: Tom Thibodeau exhausting all options to fill Mitchell Robinson void https://t.co/1l9NdNtAEX via @nypostsports
Why the #Knicks think these next to games against the Bucks, who have already beat them twice, will be different: Back-to-back games against Bucks no Christmas gift for Knicks https://t.co/5RqUM0qQXl via @nypostsports
“Anyone who doubts him doesn’t really know him." “I’ve heard things like that all my life." Becky Hammon has been warned — doubt Jalen Brunson at your own risk: Becky Hammon made a bad bet on #Knicks' Jalen Brunson https://t.co/LN4xKuqjZv via @nypostsports
Sone #Knicks coverage in today's @nypostsports: Tom Thibodeau exhausting all options to replace Mitchell Robinson https://t.co/HuCO2wrp7C Becky Hammon made bad bet on Jalen Brunson https://t.co/dYw6ZFpiN6 Back-to-back games vs. Bucks no Christmas gift https://t.co/jo9KKmUhP2 https://t.co/AyjydUlfro
Bucks vs. Knicks prediction: NBA odds, picks, best bets for Saturday https://t.co/21OExRUTPO https://t.co/XllN7pid4Z
Back-to-back games against Bucks no Christmas gift for Knicks https://t.co/rZOW6n5rmA https://t.co/OUwFR8OyVc
Bucks bid to upend Knicks in opener of two-game set https://t.co/XHi9Ps9Ln9 https://t.co/qUg5sP8TAV
Aces head coach Becky Hammon made a bad bet on Knicks’ Jalen Brunson https://t.co/p7xQdVBGfg https://t.co/lOtQz4pyny
Tom Thibodeau says Mitchell Robinson has not yet been ruled out for the season — even though the front office made a move suggesting otherwise. Knicks still high on Jericho Sims, but Mitch’s big shoes tough to fill. “We have to do it as a collective.” https://t.co/wTKQQYVoMx
Becky Hammon got Kendrick Perkins mad arguing Jalen Brunson is 'too small' to be a 1A player: https://t.co/VyivErmbSy
What are some options for the #Knicks at center with Mitchell Robinson now out for the season? @SbondyNBA has some names to keep an eye on & previews New York's two straight games vs. Milwaukee Read more: https://t.co/WBnnt3EQuN https://t.co/jB4lrKqal5
Lots of thoughts here on the Mitchell Robinson news from yesterday, including breaking down how a whole bunch of centers would fit with the Knicks: https://t.co/edD1SGVlyB
How the Knicks can manage if Mitchell Robinson is done for the season (Panic is not the answer) https://t.co/FTjORN2xEI via @Newsday
Do you agree with Becky Hammon? 🤨 https://t.co/JaWMm5q1i5
Becky Hammon responds to her comments on Jalen Brunson. (via @BeckyHammon) https://t.co/mfstP0JUmM https://t.co/JtapqkyfRA
Becky Hammon absolutely shades Jalen Brunson, Knicks’ title chances: ‘Don’t have a dude’ https://t.co/HcoDIhMdO9 https://t.co/wmtKo5Ttp0
Outside of Isiah, Curry is the only one who is 6'3" or shorter & the best player on a team to win multiple rings. What Becky says about Brunson isn't a criticism - it's just reality. IT and Curry are the only exceptions to the rule - don't pray for a chip w/ a 6'3" G as your lead https://t.co/wteLDCYlY8
You guys see what Becky Hammon said? She's right.
Lots of names mentioned in here as possible centers for the Knicks to chase, if they choose to go that route. https://t.co/edD1SGVlyB
History says Becky Hammon’s take about Jalen Brunson’s size with a title-contending team is correct https://t.co/ZGINc23psi https://t.co/ra4smQOW4K
Becky Hammon got Kendrick Perkins mad arguing Jalen Brunson is 'too small' to be a 1A player https://t.co/VyivErmbSy
Steph AND Isiah Thomas. And Isiah, unlike Steph, did it when game was favored towards bigs. But Becky's right as a HOF small guard. History says if your best player is 6-3/6-4 or smaller, it's a lot tougher to win a title - even with rule changes the last 15-18 yrs https://t.co/JcjXTR1afJ
I don't appreciate Becky Hammon coming on NBA Today talking crazy about my squad and being absolutely right about it w/ historical facts to back it up. https://t.co/k9TdKTHhj3
Oh shit LOL Becky Hammon spittin https://t.co/TY2XTh0BJj
Is Jalen Brunson "too small" to be 1A? @BeckyHammon and @KendrickPerkins discuss 👀 https://t.co/k7K9kkB25z
Becky Hammon: [The Knicks] don't have a dude... you got to have a 1A dude." Kendrick Perkins: "They do have that dude." B: "Who?" K: "Jalen Brunson." B: "He too small. If your best player is small, you're not winning... Steph Curry is the only dude." https://t.co/XWhJHZXpxT
Becky Hammon is not making friends among the Knicks fan base today.
Just read this if you're wondering on targets the Knicks could go after now. He legitimately covers nearly every name I had in my head. https://t.co/vIk43suYiO
Well over a dozen scenarios, considered here in some way including Bismack Biyombo, Clint Capela, Nick Richards, Daniel Gafford and Andre Drummond (who the Knicks have looked at before and who is from the area) https://t.co/GUxgfghkU1