Tom Thibodeau defends Jalen Brunson: Anyone who doubts him doesn't know him

Kristian Winfield: Asked Tom Thibodeau about Becky Hammon’s comments on Jalen Brunson: “They’re paid for their opinions, so it’s just a bunch of chatter. The only thing that matters is what we think.” More to come -via Twitter @Krisplashed / December 22, 2023

Before the Giannis Antetokounmpo controversy in Indiana, Julius Randle never thought much of the game ball. The Knicks, as a whole, don’t seem wrapped up in memorabilia. But they watched Antetokounmpo, one of the league’s top stars, throw a fit over the Pacers taking his 64-point ball earlier in the week, prompting what felt like an international incident. It heightened awareness over game balls, with Randle especially. “To be completely honest, I’ve never cared about it,” Randle said. “Now I do.” -via New York Post / December 16, 2023

So Randle and RJ Barrett plotted on the bench after Brunson converted his 50th point Friday night. It wasn’t enough that Ryan Arcidiacono, a 6-foot-2 reserve Knicks guard, was in the game and had possession after the final buzzer. “I don’t trust Ryan with the game ball,” Randle said. “They might look at him and think, ‘We can take that.’ I had to make sure I got it, and I secured it.” The ball went from Arcidiacono to Randle to Brunson to Barrett to Brunson’s locker. At some point it’ll probably go to Rick Brunson, the Knicks assistant coach and father to the team’s point guard. -via New York Post / December 16, 2023