Jalen Brunson shows why Knicks trade of fan favorites was needed

RJ Barrett was naive to question whether the Garden fans would cheer. Appreciation was inevitable. This crowd had endured nearly two decades of misery, and Barrett’s tenure can only be viewed as joyous in that context.

Low bars make for good applause.

So Barrett and Immanuel Quickley received a standing ovation during pregame introductions. It was a fairly emphatic reaction, rousing and voluminous. MSG gave them a dual video tribute during the first timeout.

Great for everybody involved.

But the rest of the evening served as just another reminder for why the Knicks shipped them over the north border. By the third quarter, those appreciative cheers for Barrett and Quickley turned into “MVP” chants for Jalen Brunson as the Knicks beat up the Raptors, 126-100.

Most of the analysis and debate about the trade concerns the impact and fit of OG Anunoby, which has been seamless and virtually perfect.

Jalen Brunson celebrates during the Knicks’ 126-100 blowout win over the Raptors. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Jalen Brunson, who scored 38 points, celebrates during the Knicks’ win over the Raptors. Jason Szenes / New York Post

But also the trade was about Jalen Brunson. Everything about the Knicks these days is about Jalen Friggin’ Brunson. The best pathway to offensive efficiency is through Brunson. He didn’t need to share the ball with more scorers, specifically Barrett and Quickley, because he’s the best ball-dominant scorer this franchise has rostered since Carmelo Anthony. He’s the Knicks’ best scoring point guard since … yes, we’re going to go there … Clyde Frazier.

No apologies to Stephon Marbury.

When Barrett, Quickley and the rebuilding Raptors showed weakness Saturday, Brunson dissected them with his usual array of pivots, misdirections and dead-eye shots. These days a 38-point performance like Saturday feels expected from Brunson.

There was nothing Barrett could do.

And you could tell the former third-overall pick was amped. Barrett drew a charge in the first two minutes — his first since two seasons ago. He dunked and flexed. Barrett’s revenge juices were flowing. His mistake was taking on the assignment of guarding Brunson, which, predictably, backfired.

Barrett and Quickley were many good things with the Knicks. Defensive juggernauts, they were not.

Which was the other reason for the deal — the Anunoby factor.

RJ Barrett, who had a team-high 20 points, drives on Josh Hart during the Knicks’ win over the Raptors. Jason Szenes / New York Post

Soon after the trade, an NBA assistant coach broke down why he feels Tom Thibodeau is trying to replicate his teams and playing style from Chicago.

More specifically, he offered these player comparisons:

Brunson is Derrick Rose: ball-dominant, score-first point guards.

Anunoby is Luol Deng: defensive stalwart on the wing.

Immanuel Quickley, who had 12 points and 11 rebounds, gives a rueful reaction during the Knicks’ win. Jason Szenes / New York Post

Julius Randle is Carlos Boozer: rebounders and adept finishers at power forward.

Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson are Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson: the dirty-work crew, with Noah and Hartenstein capable of dishing.

Sure, there are plenty of differences between these players. But Thibodeau has a type and a playing style. Anunoby fits that better than with either Quickley or Barrett.

Jalen Brunson shoots over Immanuel Quickley during the Knicks’ victory. Getty Images

The vibes are all positive now for the Knicks, but there are concerns about how this will all look in the playoffs. Anunoby hasn’t played more than 69 games in his past five seasons. There were fluky injuries and circumstances involved, but the Raptors were also among the originators of load management.

Thibodeau doesn’t do load management.

At the risk of being labeled a Minutes Police informant, it isn’t a given Anunoby will hold up physically while playing every game at a career-high minutes clip. Randle, who dropped an 18-point triple-double, still has to prove he can produce in the playoffs. Hartenstein, the indispensable starting center for the past month, suffered an ankle injury Saturday and was pulled in the second half.

Things can always go sideways, but Brunson showed us again Saturday why he didn’t need to be sharing the shots with those players now in Toronto.

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