Mike Brown reveals attacking James Harden was part of the New York Knicks’ game plan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Knicks were down big in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs had a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter, but they collapsed as Jalen Brunson took over.
It was clear that the Knicks had a game plan late in that game. Knicks head coach Mike Brown was quite candid after the game, as he revealed that Brunson and the Knicks were targeting James Harden.
Mike Brown gets honest about targeting James Harden in Game 1
For the longest time, Harden has been a phenomenal basketball player. He is a dominant offensive force, as he can score with the best of them, but he can also serve as an elite playmaker.
Unfortunately, Harden does have a significant weakness in his game, and that is his defense. Considering he is an older player now, that problem becomes even worse for his team.
MORE: Jalen Brunson’s performance led the Knicks on a historic comeback in Game 1 vs the Cavaliers
While the Cavaliers had the big lead in the fourth quarter of Game 1, the Knicks knew they had a pathway to coming back. That was attacking Harden’s defense, which led to Brunson scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“We were trying to do the same thing with Jalen. We try not to play that game, but we have a guy who we can play that game with in Jalen. Just like we try to figure out how to guard Harden and Mitchell, they have to figure out how to guard Jalen. It was no secret we were attacking Harden,” Brown said in his post-game press conference.
The Knicks are now walking away from Game 1 with a victory. It did not look likely in the first three quarters, but the Knicks trusted their game plan, and their superstar carried them to the win.
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