The Knicks Are Coming For You, Haters! Star Player’s Fiery Declaration of War Sparks Joy and Fear

One down, one to go. Following a Pacers beatdown on the road, 128-115, the Knicks have one more game to play before going on a week-long vacation that bridges the All-Star Weekend in Frisco.

 

New York landed in Indy, smacked the Fake Eastern Conference Finalists in the face, and took a plane back home to do the same to the Hawks later today.

Here’s what we’ve heard from Coach Thibs and a few other Knicks, including Mitch!

Tom Thibodeau

On Josh Hart’s 30-point performance against the Pacers:

“What Josh did is what we needed to win. He was everywhere, flying around, doing everything.

“Good team win, good bounce back.”

On what made the Pacers look better than they actually are of late:

“Probably just health. They’re healthier now. Playing at a high level. Obviously the pace, the offensive ability of the team, the size, creating turnovers, playing in transition.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s return and the Knicks’ frontcourt:

“Just the size. I think they complement each other. One guy, rim protection, pressure on the rim. Offensive rebounding. The other guy is comfortable away from the basket. KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] has proved to be able to play with all types of different centers. He’s comfortable at the power forward position, he’s comfortable on the perimeter. So I like the versatility of that.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s strengths:

“I think one of [Robinson’s] strengths is the rim protection, pick-and-roll defense, putting pressure on the rim, on the roll in pick-and-rolls. The offensive rebounding as we know is elite. So the extra possessions are huge for us.”

On Robinson and Anunoby’s practice participation:

“Steady progress. But still not ready.

“Mitch, obviously he’s doing more and more each day. But he needs more time.”

Jalen Brunson

On his horrid performance in the Pacers game:

“I was of no help today. And just thankful that I have them as teammates and they were unbelievable.”

On Josh Hart’s performance:

“Josh played his ass off today. I don’t know what else to say about that. He was just a monster.”

On why he accepted the invitation for the three-point contest:

“One, because I lost it last year. And there’s limited gym time [at All-Star Weekend]. So just get some shots up.”

Josh Hart

On the Pacers after the Knicks’ win:

“That’s a good team over there. We played well and got the win.”

On playing power forward all season:

“I’ve played power forward the whole year. It doesn’t change. It doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup, who’s out.

“My game is my game. There might be times when I have to be a little more aggressive offensively. There might be times when I have to be more aggressive defensively and rebounding and not focused offensively and let those guys do their thing.

“I can kind of do whatever is needed. I let the game tell me what’s needed.

“I’m confident with my ability to be out there and do what’s needed.”

On how his role has changed without OG Anunoby:

“I think I’m a little more aggressive offensively. I shot a little bit more than I have all season.

I think defensively I should be doing a better job, especially with OG out.

“I think I’ve been OK since he left or got hurt. But, like I said, it’s a small part of the season and obviously he’ll be back.”

On his knee soreness potentially leading to offseason surgery:

“I don’t know. We’ll see what it calls for at the end of the season. But, like I said before, I’m a servant to these guys this year. I want to make sure I put these guys in the best situation.

“It’s not just for them. It’s also for [coach Tom Thibodeau]. I want to make sure when I’m out there I’m playing at a high level and playing the game the way I’m capable of playing.

“If I’m out there, I’m healthy enough.”

On Indiana’s cuisine d’auteur:

“Fire Jamaican spot. I never thought I was going to say a Jamaican spot anywhere in the Midwest is fire. That was hitting.

“[Indiana] got two things that I love. Donuts and Caribbean food.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the Knicks’ exquisite ball movement against the Pacers:

“When we get the assist numbers we had tonight, that’s a recipe for success. So getting back to 30-plus assists, that’s who we are and who we are when we’re at our best. It was a good day for Knicks basketball.”

Mitchell Robinson

On his recovery approach:

“I’m just taking it day by day the best that I can, just trying to get to 100 percent. That’s my main goal. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there so that it doesn’t happen again.”

On learning more about taking care of his body:

“That’s part of learning and growing. I’m just going to focus to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

On avoiding setbacks in his recovery:

“I ain’t trying to keep having these sit-outs and setbacks and stuff like that. This time I’m just going to play it smart. Usually, I’d be young and dumb to go out there and try to get back as fast as I can. I can’t do that no more.”

On his playing style:

“I’m just going to continue to do what I do best which is get offensive rebounds, block shots and defend. I can’t wait to see how it goes.”

On doubters questioning his injury status:

“That’s their business. Let them sleep and I’ll wake they ass up.”

On learning from past mistakes:

“Make dumb decisions like nutrition-wise. [I want to] make sure I take care of my body the right way. After a game, I don’t ice. That’s part of learning and growing. I’m just going to focus to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

On his performance before the injury sidelined him:

“Right in the beginning before it happened, in December, I think I was playing the best basketball of my career. The game was really slow to me. I could see everything.”

On whether he rushed back last season to play in the playoffs:

“Honestly, I don’t know how to answer that question, it was just like trying to get out there, do what I got to do.”

On trade speculation and his future with the Knicks:

“You know how people are. They keep telling me and it is what it is. It’s a business. I’m not going to cry about it … I’m just going with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”

On being cleared for contact and awaiting full clearance:

“When the doctor tells me to go, I’ll be ready to go.”

On whether he was injured on **that** Joel Embiid play:

“I’m not getting into that.”