Brunson wanted to be here, so don't shed any tears for him

Jalen Brunson came tonight ready to put in work against the Portland Trail Blazers. He finished the game with 32 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. 

None of it mattered, of course. The Knicks went on to lose to Portland in overtime.

Brunson wanted to be here, so don't shed any tears for him.

Knicks fans, I have two questions: What exactly makes RJ Barrett a star? And Shouldn't you have given up RJ for Donovan Mitchell?

Barrett got his double double tonight, so just by looking at points you wouldn't see an issue, but something is affecting his game because he could only muster 19 points from 22 shots. Or, maybe this is the best he's ever going to be.

Either way, I think it's time to give up on the idea that Barrett is ever going to be a superstar. Solid role player, indeed, but never a star. 

Barrett has proven to be a piece that can be moved without the fear that he's going to turn into a monster in this league on another team. He's not him.

The Knicks had a chance to win this game, and you'd think that with a coach that has a history of preaching defense, the team would have figured out a way to come up with the necessary stops to win. But they didn't.

The team has never progressed from playing defense with their hands and kept giving Portland free throw after free throw.

The Knicks found away to give the game to Portland.

The cure for Obi Toppin's soft play would be a good talking to from Charles Oakley. But because team owner James Dolan is such an asshole, Obi will never get the encouragement he needs to toughen up his game from a vet he would respect.

The best thing for this team is to package Randle, Fournier, and Barrett in a deal for top young talent and high picks in the next draft.

Then fire Thibodeau. 

Knicks lose again, Portland 132-Knicks 129.

This could have been a blowout of epic proportions.

It wasn't difficult to predict the outcome of this game after this week's loss to Golden State.

Had it not been for Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes, this would have been a blowout of epic proportions.

Julius Randle and RJ Barrett were exposed again today. They were of zero help to this team on offense and defense.

Two of the Knicks big three were merely spectators and Gatorade tasters in Phoenix this afternoon.

When I was a kid, I read Butch Beard's book on coaching basketball, and one of his cardinal sins was jumping while passing.  Julius Randle obviously has never read the book because he is still making this ridiculous mistake at his age and stage of his career.

I fault his coach for allowing him to continue playing as if he has antigravity shoes. Leaping with no commitment only forces poor shots or turnovers.

RJ Barrett looks down right sluggish. He moves as if he's playing in mud. Has he either checked out mentally, or is exhausted?

Phoenix made sure everyone touched the ball and had 6 players in double digits for a balanced scoring attack. The Knicks, not so much.

On an afternoon when the Knicks most desperately needed scoring, Evan Fournier didn't get a single minute, which tells me he is not long to be in a New York uniform.

Tomorrow night in Oklahoma, there is a fleeting chance that this road trip can be salvaged, but I wouldn't bet money on it.

Knicks lose again, Sun 116 – Knicks 95