Charles Oakley: Patrick Ewing wasn't a great leader, Jalen Brunson is way more of a leader
Charles Oakley stirred some ill will recently toward his former teammates when he was a guest on a SiriusXM show and said Jalen Brunson was the best Knick since Walt Frazier. It was a slight that got back to Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, Oakley’s former Knicks teammate whom he has feuded off and on with since they retired. Ewing took the high road on another NBA podcast and declined to enter the debate. “They said leadership was a big thing and Patrick wasn’t a great leader,” Oakley told the AP. “Brunson, I think, was way more a leader.”
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Not all heroes wear capes.
Knicks trail Pacers, 63-58, at the half, thanks to an explosive quarter from Alec Burks, who scored 13 points on 0 missed shots in the period.
The Pacers’ main adjustment has been giving Aaron Nesmith the Jalen Brunson assignment.
Brunson scored… – 8:16 PM
Not all heroes wear capes.
Knicks trail Pacers, 63-58, at the half, thanks to an explosive quarter from Alec Burks, who scored 13 points on 0 missed shots in the period.
The Pacers’ main adjustment has been giving Aaron Nesmith the Jalen Brunson assignment.
Brunson scored… – 8:16 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
If I’m the Pacers, I’m concerned that a team with a hobbled Jalen Brunson, no OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Bojan Bogdanovic or Julius Randle, a team that’s playing Alec Burks in the second quarter, is tied at 46. – 8:02 PM
If I’m the Pacers, I’m concerned that a team with a hobbled Jalen Brunson, no OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Bojan Bogdanovic or Julius Randle, a team that’s playing Alec Burks in the second quarter, is tied at 46. – 8:02 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Pacers went back to Andrew Nembhard on Jalen Brunson, and Brunson immediately hits a stepback three then an and-one layup. – 7:59 PM
Pacers went back to Andrew Nembhard on Jalen Brunson, and Brunson immediately hits a stepback three then an and-one layup. – 7:59 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Donte DiVincenzo has 15 points, and the Knicks, who trailed 29-20 at the end of the first quarter, are only down, 35-33, at the 8:26 mark of Q2.
Most importantly, they’ve gone on this run with Jalen Brunson on the bench. – 7:48 PM
Donte DiVincenzo has 15 points, and the Knicks, who trailed 29-20 at the end of the first quarter, are only down, 35-33, at the 8:26 mark of Q2.
Most importantly, they’ve gone on this run with Jalen Brunson on the bench. – 7:48 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Just witnessed a bizarre sequence: Aaron Nesmith gets a stop on Jalen Brunson, then turns around and celebrates to the crowd with a live ball still in play. Donte DiVincenzo recovers the ball and gets blocked at the rim.
Can tell Nesmith is leaning into the matchup. – 7:41 PM
Just witnessed a bizarre sequence: Aaron Nesmith gets a stop on Jalen Brunson, then turns around and celebrates to the crowd with a live ball still in play. Donte DiVincenzo recovers the ball and gets blocked at the rim.
Can tell Nesmith is leaning into the matchup. – 7:41 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Indy is determined to make Jalen Brunson work the length of the floor. Nesmith didn’t give him an inch in that first quarter. McConnell will get a turn. Meanwhile Thibs is forced to turn to a bench that hasn’t played in weeks. – 7:41 PM
Indy is determined to make Jalen Brunson work the length of the floor. Nesmith didn’t give him an inch in that first quarter. McConnell will get a turn. Meanwhile Thibs is forced to turn to a bench that hasn’t played in weeks. – 7:41 PM
Dan Favale @danfavale
jalen brunson is hobbled, obviously, but like the pacers putting nesmith/some extra size on him in the first quarter. clearly made a difference. – 7:39 PM
jalen brunson is hobbled, obviously, but like the pacers putting nesmith/some extra size on him in the first quarter. clearly made a difference. – 7:39 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Just witnessed a bizarre sequences Aaron Nesmith gets a stop on Jalen Brunson, then turns around and celebrates to the crowd with a live ball still in play. Donte DiVincenzo recovers the ball and gets blocked at the rim.
Can tell Nesmith is leaning into the matchup. – 7:39 PM
Just witnessed a bizarre sequences Aaron Nesmith gets a stop on Jalen Brunson, then turns around and celebrates to the crowd with a live ball still in play. Donte DiVincenzo recovers the ball and gets blocked at the rim.
Can tell Nesmith is leaning into the matchup. – 7:39 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Just the fast, energetic start the Pacers needed, led by Haliburton (8pts).
Remember, they have not been a fast-starting team.
They’ve pulled ahead 20-8, Jalen Brunson is on the bench and didn’t look comfortable after 0/3 start (guarded by Nesmith). – 7:29 PM
Just the fast, energetic start the Pacers needed, led by Haliburton (8pts).
Remember, they have not been a fast-starting team.
They’ve pulled ahead 20-8, Jalen Brunson is on the bench and didn’t look comfortable after 0/3 start (guarded by Nesmith). – 7:29 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Early hot start for the Pacers, who lead the Knicks, 12-4, at the 8:10 mark of the first quarter. The Indiana crowd is electric and the Pacers are feeding off of it. Tyrese Halliburton has hit a pair of 3s, and Aaron Nesmith is a bigger, stronger body to put on Jalen Brunson. – 7:21 PM
Early hot start for the Pacers, who lead the Knicks, 12-4, at the 8:10 mark of the first quarter. The Indiana crowd is electric and the Pacers are feeding off of it. Tyrese Halliburton has hit a pair of 3s, and Aaron Nesmith is a bigger, stronger body to put on Jalen Brunson. – 7:21 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
The Pacers made an adjustment: Aaron Nesmith is guarding Jalen Brunson, not Andrew Nembhard. – 7:15 PM
The Pacers made an adjustment: Aaron Nesmith is guarding Jalen Brunson, not Andrew Nembhard. – 7:15 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Jalen Brunson is active and will start tonight.
Precious Achiuwa gets the start at PF – 6:46 PM
Jalen Brunson is active and will start tonight.
Precious Achiuwa gets the start at PF – 6:46 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Jalen Brunson (foot) will play for the Knicks tonight against the Pacers – 6:34 PM
Jalen Brunson (foot) will play for the Knicks tonight against the Pacers – 6:34 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Jalen Brunson in the building for Game 3 🧼 pic.twitter.com/cHbhXVm4xO – 5:57 PM
Jalen Brunson in the building for Game 3 🧼 pic.twitter.com/cHbhXVm4xO – 5:57 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Jalen Brunson will warm up & “we’ll see” about his status for Game 3, Tom Thibodeau said. Brunson made it through shootaround this AM. He was walking without a limp here at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Based on that & what Thibodeau said, it’s clear Brunson is trending toward playing – 5:40 PM
Jalen Brunson will warm up & “we’ll see” about his status for Game 3, Tom Thibodeau said. Brunson made it through shootaround this AM. He was walking without a limp here at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Based on that & what Thibodeau said, it’s clear Brunson is trending toward playing – 5:40 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
For the “Jalen Brunson is going to try tonight” stories…If any Knicks fan doesn’t know yet that if Jalen can walk he’s playing I don’t know what to say. Unless he has a setback pregame — same for all of us really — expect him to play. – 4:50 PM
For the “Jalen Brunson is going to try tonight” stories…If any Knicks fan doesn’t know yet that if Jalen can walk he’s playing I don’t know what to say. Unless he has a setback pregame — same for all of us really — expect him to play. – 4:50 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“We’re running out of adjectives to describe what Jalen Brunson is doing”
🔊 @adaniels33 explains why he’s at a loss of words for what he’s doing #NewYorkForever #NBAPlayoffs
Hear Knicks-Pacers Game 3 tonight at 7 PM ET on NBA Radio sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.twitter.com/evthytKphe – 2:00 PM
“We’re running out of adjectives to describe what Jalen Brunson is doing”
🔊 @adaniels33 explains why he’s at a loss of words for what he’s doing #NewYorkForever #NBAPlayoffs
Hear Knicks-Pacers Game 3 tonight at 7 PM ET on NBA Radio sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.twitter.com/evthytKphe – 2:00 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Highest +/- for each remaining playoff team:
+90 — Jalen Williams
+88 — Anthony Edwards
+74 — Jayson Tatum
+54 — Kyrie, Luka
+34 — Jalen Brunson
+32 — Ben Sheppard
+10 — Donovan Mitchell
+5 — Christian Braun pic.twitter.com/z8Z2bX6sMP – 1:03 PM
Highest +/- for each remaining playoff team:
+90 — Jalen Williams
+88 — Anthony Edwards
+74 — Jayson Tatum
+54 — Kyrie, Luka
+34 — Jalen Brunson
+32 — Ben Sheppard
+10 — Donovan Mitchell
+5 — Christian Braun pic.twitter.com/z8Z2bX6sMP – 1:03 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Donte DiVincenzo cuts short a question about Knicks – with OG Anunoby (hamstring) out and Jalen Brunson (foot) questionable – ‘punting’ Game 3 and getting healthier for Game 4 and beyond: “Hell no, you can stop there. We ain’t punting nothing. We’re coming here to win the game.” – 11:37 AM
Donte DiVincenzo cuts short a question about Knicks – with OG Anunoby (hamstring) out and Jalen Brunson (foot) questionable – ‘punting’ Game 3 and getting healthier for Game 4 and beyond: “Hell no, you can stop there. We ain’t punting nothing. We’re coming here to win the game.” – 11:37 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
I was confident about the direction of the Knicks – ya know considering they have the best collection of value contracts in the NBA, and 11 first-round pick over the next 7 years, and a MVP caliber superstar in Jalen Brunson and another all star and DPOY candidates and elite role… – 10:16 AM
I was confident about the direction of the Knicks – ya know considering they have the best collection of value contracts in the NBA, and 11 first-round pick over the next 7 years, and a MVP caliber superstar in Jalen Brunson and another all star and DPOY candidates and elite role… – 10:16 AM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Amid the discourse over fouls/officiating in Knicks-Pacers, league sources say members of NYK organization are upset with how Jalen Brunson is being officiated. Members of the organization feel that he’s being grabbed/hit up and down the floor and it’s gone unnoticed by refs. – 9:54 AM
Amid the discourse over fouls/officiating in Knicks-Pacers, league sources say members of NYK organization are upset with how Jalen Brunson is being officiated. Members of the organization feel that he’s being grabbed/hit up and down the floor and it’s gone unnoticed by refs. – 9:54 AM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Bernard King is ‘delighted’ that Jalen Brunson broke his Knicks’ playoff scoring record
nj.com/bergen/2024/05… – 8:55 AM
Bernard King is ‘delighted’ that Jalen Brunson broke his Knicks’ playoff scoring record
nj.com/bergen/2024/05… – 8:55 AM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Popper: Injuries mounting, but Knicks still believe
With OG Anunoby ruled out for Game 3 and Jalen Brunson questionable, Knicks’ rotation cut again as next man up put to test newsday.com/sports/columni… – 7:26 AM
Popper: Injuries mounting, but Knicks still believe
With OG Anunoby ruled out for Game 3 and Jalen Brunson questionable, Knicks’ rotation cut again as next man up put to test newsday.com/sports/columni… – 7:26 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Spida tonight:
29 PTS
7 REB
8 AST
5-7 3P
+36
Only Jalen Brunson has more points this postseason. statmuse.com/nba/player/don… – 9:22 PM
Spida tonight:
29 PTS
7 REB
8 AST
5-7 3P
+36
Only Jalen Brunson has more points this postseason. statmuse.com/nba/player/don… – 9:22 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Knicks’ OG Anunoby is out for Game 3, Jalen Brunson listed as questionable
nj.com/sports/2024/05… – 8:33 PM
Knicks’ OG Anunoby is out for Game 3, Jalen Brunson listed as questionable
nj.com/sports/2024/05… – 8:33 PM
Frank Isola @TheFrankIsola
Time for Ewing, Starks with Charles Oakley to be seated together at a game. It’s the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Eastern Conference championship team. That trio is the 90’s Knicks. – 6:10 PM
Time for Ewing, Starks with Charles Oakley to be seated together at a game. It’s the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Eastern Conference championship team. That trio is the 90’s Knicks. – 6:10 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Hartenstein tonight:
14 PTS
12 REB
8 AST (1 TOV)
+21
The most assists by a Knicks center in a playoff game since Patrick Ewing. statmuse.com/nba/player/isa… – 10:33 PM
Hartenstein tonight:
14 PTS
12 REB
8 AST (1 TOV)
+21
The most assists by a Knicks center in a playoff game since Patrick Ewing. statmuse.com/nba/player/isa… – 10:33 PM
More on this storyline
Charles Oakley once believed Joel Embiid could be an all-time great. But the whining and losing has changed his mind. “Everybody says he’s hurt,” Oakley said Tuesday on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s “The Starting Lineup” show. “If you’re hurt, stay home and watch it on TV like everybody else is doing. I don’t want hear this, ‘I’m giving it my all.’ You’re a seven-footer shooting 3s. I mean, you stand out around the 3-point line what the guards gonna do? So I think that, you know, they cry too much. All these guys in the league cry too much. He’s too big to be crying. I’m sorry I said about two years ago, he could be the next Wilt Chamberlain. I don’t know. He could be the next Dunkin Donut or somebody because he just cry.” -via New York Post / April 30, 2024
Oakley, meanwhile, is much more impressed with Jalen Brunson, who he calls the best Knick since Clyde Frazier – even better than Oakley’s former teammate, Patrick Ewing. “I’m talking about holding guys accountable. Having somebody that’s fun to play with. Being a real leader. And I think that when we played, our best player didn’t lead,” Oakley told The Post before the series. “I didn’t say he’s a better player [than Ewing]. He’s doing better things. Make the game more fun. Make people enjoy the game. Make players want to play want to play with him.” -via New York Post / April 30, 2024
Adam Zagoria: “[Jalen] Brunson is the best thing [on the Knicks] since Walt Frazier,” @Charles Oakley said on @SiriusXMNBA -via Twitter @AdamZagoria / April 30, 2024
During the same interview, Charles Barkley also gave his two cents on when LeBron James should decide to hang it up and call it a day. “I hope he retires while he can still play,” Barkley said. “I saw Michael Jordan [play] with the [Washington] Wizards and it was not pretty. I saw Patrick Ewing with the Orlando Magic. I would love to see [LeBron James] retire sooner rather than later…because it ends badly when you keep on playing.” -via Clutch Points / May 2, 2024
Tim Bontemps: Patrick Ewing gets introduced during this media timeout to a gigantic ovation from the crowd here at Madison Square Garden, along with a highlight of him powering the Knicks to the NBA Finals 30 years ago this spring. -via Twitter @TimBontemps / April 30, 2024
Ian Begley: Jalen Brunson is playing and starting, Knicks say. Precious Achuiwa will start. -via Twitter @IanBegley / May 10, 2024
Stefan Bondy: Hearing Jalen Brunson will go thru warmups tonight and try to play. -via Twitter @SBondyNYDN / May 10, 2024