Knicks Bulletin: 'I can't let that dictate my energy level or my mood'

11/08/2024 06:30 AM

New York is set to welcome the struggling Bucks with the Knicks still reflecting on their latest loss.

The New York Knicks (3-4) will try to move up to a .500 winning percentage when they host the struggling Milwaukee Bucks (2-6) on Friday at MSG coming off a disappointing loss to the Hawks on Wednesday.

There was no practice on Thursday as our boys returned home from a long day in Atlanta but everybody should be back in the lab this morning gearing up for the evening matchup.

Here's what Coach Thibs and other dudes said after last midweek's game that somehow slipped through our Bulletin cracks.

Tom Thibodeau

On the Knicks biggest problem on Wednesday's loss:

"Probably our rebounding."

On Jalen Brunson's struggles as he gets acclimated to his new teammates:

"He's just got to make the reads. He's got to work his way through it.

"He's going to make some, he's going to miss some. Just shoot your shots."

Jalen Brunson

On his individual and team responsibilities:

"I've got to be better overall when it comes to me playing individually, and also making sure this team is ready to go night in and night out.

"And I just haven't done that."

Mikal Bridges

On the team's early-season growing pains:

"I think we're still figuring it out. Offensively, defensively, we still got to figure it out. Like I said, it's early. So we just need more time. And we'll figure it out. That's just on us.

"We just got to come out, set the tone early. From the starters, all of us got to be better."

Josh Hart

On needing to stay composed with officiating and chill out a bit in the future:

"Yeah, I mean, end of the day, I've got to be more composed.

"First one last game [in Houston], they missed a call and [referee] Tyler Ford came to me and said, 'I missed that call.' [Wednesday in Atlanta], I felt like it was the same way.

"It doesn't matter the way the game was being officiated. I can't let that dictate my energy level or my mood. Especially a game like this—it's a close game. [Every] point is huge, so I've got to be better with controlling that and being more composed in those situations."

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the team's sluggish start against the Hawks:

"We got some good momentum wins (before Wednesday).

"[Wednesday night], including myself, we came out sluggish and we can't allow that to happen. We can't allow that to happen. We've got to impose our will."

On his work on the boards and how that can help his teammates:

"I've got to do a better job getting the rebounds, instilling the energy from the start. We came out sluggish.

"One of the things I've got to always do is instill energy into the game, and I came out sluggish. I take responsibility and accountability for that.

"These guys work extremely hard. Our guards are working tremendously hard every night with the matchups with the way we are playing defense.

"I've got to do better."