The Knicks are back on the court, and even though they’ve started the preseason 0-2 (who actually cares, right?), we’ve seen enough minutes to start picking out who’s shining and who’s struggling. Top of the list for early season winners? Jalen Brunson and that wrist of his.
Brunson’s Wrist Proves Doubters Were Absolutely Bonkers
Seriously, did anyone *actually* worry about Brunson’s offseason wrist surgery? C’mon, the captain is the definition of reliable. It was wild to even think he wouldn’t be ready or look off after getting his shooting hand operated on. Fans can be so unreasonable. But hey, he’s 30 years old, and it *was* his shooting hand, so maybe a tiny bit of nerves were justified. But nope, Knicks fans, you can exhale big time. He’s looked as good as any other Knick out there. Yeah, his three-point shot was a little off against the Wizards, going just 1-for-6. But don’t even sweat it. Brunson looks like he’s already in midseason form. He’s pulling out all his usual moves: driving layups, floaters, mid-range fadeaways, pull-up threes. He’s totally comfortable, totally confident. And on defense? He’s putting in work, already drawing multiple charges. Brunson and his wrist? They’re doing just fine, thank you very much.
Pacome Dadiet’s Trade Value Takes a Brutal Hit
Okay, on the flip side, let’s talk about Pacome Dadiet. Coming into camp and preseason, expectations probably weren’t super high, right? The guy’s basically been a ghost for two full seasons. His Summer League performance was, uh, less than inspiring. And remember how he played for Ivory Coast in the World Cup qualifiers? Worse than most fans could even imagine. Yet, somehow, he’s still managed to disappoint in preseason. In the opener, the team clearly tried to give him a shot to either bump his trade value or at least snag some spot minutes. He bombed it. Game two against the Wizards wasn’t much better. It’s only two games, sure, but both have been a full-on failure for Dadiet. He’s got nine total points in 30 minutes, shooting a dismal 28.6% from the field, and he hasn’t stood out as a playmaker, rebounder, or defender. His path to being a rotation player in New York was already thin to begin with. Now, whatever slim chance he had to at least help the team out by increasing his trade value might be slipping away completely.
Even for guys like Landry Shamet, who has been fighting for his job in camp for two straight years and has battled, these early preseason minutes are critical.
Opening night is less than two weeks away. While an 0-2 preseason record truly means nothing, these early glimpses of Brunson’s peak health and Dadiet’s alarming struggles are definitely something to keep an eye on as the regular season draws near.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
Leave a Reply