One of the reasons for the New York Knicks’ success last season was their smothering defense, finishing tenth in the league with a defensive rating of 113.4. It’s not a surprise, though, since defense is coach Tom Thibodeau’s calling card, and his players have all bought into his defensive philosophy. However, they also said that good offense is better than great defense, and there was maybe no other player who embodied this saying better than the late Kobe Bryant, and Knicks star Jalen Brunson agreed.
Watching the Mamba’s 81-point game in 2006 on NBA TV, Brunson revealed what he would personally do against Bryant.
“Me personally, I would call timeout and tell coach to put someone else on him,” Brunson said. “I know my limitations for sure.”
Kobe’s record night vs. the Knicks
Like many other teams, Kobe Bryant had a history of torching the Knicks. On February 2, 2009, as the Lakers were gearing up for their championship run, Kobe scored 61 points in their 126-117 victory over the Knicks, setting a new record for most points scored in Madison Square Garden. At the time, Kobe was the league’s best player, and he proved it with high-scoring performances against every opponent…