Average 32 points, becoming the toughest super giant in the playoffs! Taking the initiative to cut salary by 110 million, you are indeed underestimated

The first round of the NBA playoffs this season has entered the final stage, and many teams swept and advanced early. For example, the Cavaliers and the Thunder, the number one in the East and West, have at least 8 days off. It can be said that the first round of the playoffs has no pressure on them and they can't even be warmed up. Of course, there are also many superstars who are isolated in the playoffs and are eventually eliminated. Typical examples include Antetokounmpo, who averaged 33 points, 15.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, and scored and rebounds first in the playoffs, but they are hard to beat four-handed. Even if they play in the playoffs, they can average 7 players to double the score! There is also Doncic, who ranked fourth in the league in the playoffs averaged 30.2 points per game, but when the Lakers were eliminated, Doncic's bad defense was stamped by the media. In addition, the required system is a bit expensive to build a team.

East four groups of series, the Cavaliers swept the Heat 4-0, the Celtics and the Pacers swept the opponent 4-1, and the only group of matches was very fierce, which was the series between the Knicks and the Pistons. Both sides played to G6, and the Knicks eliminated their opponent 4-2, especially in the last 4 games. The difference between the scores between the two sides was within 3 points, and the winner was really a matter of thought! As the dark horse in the Eastern Conference this season, the Pistons averaged 7 players in double digits per game under the No. 1 pick Cningham, and the future is promising. However, the Knicks gradually weakened from the third in the regular season to the playoffs, mainly because Thibodeau overdrafted and used the main force! In this round of the series, Anunobi averaged 42 minutes per game, Brunson averaged 40 minutes per game, Bridges averaged 39 minutes per game, Towns averaged 38 minutes per game, and Hart averaged 37 minutes per game!

But there are always people who carry the burden forward. As the boss of the team, Brunson is really too tough! Let’s look at several sets of data. First, Brunson averaged 31.5 points and 8.2 assists per game in the playoffs, second in the league in scoring, fifth in assists, and first in the league in assists. In addition, he used his mistakes to score 6.7 points in the league in scoring 13.3 points in the league in scoring! There is another data that confirms his toughness. In the first round of the playoffs, Brunson averaged 11 points per game in the final quarter, leading the league in a cliff-like manner! In the words of New York media, Brunson easily reminds people of Leonard in 19 and Butler in 23 years. He handed the ball to him at the last moment, and he can do everything possible to lead the team to win! From averaging 5.6 points per game at the critical moment of the regular season to winning the key player of the year (beating Jokic), Brunson is indeed underestimated.

Last offseason, Brunson made a bold decision, refusing to wait until this summer to receive a super maximum salary of 270 million yuan, and chose to renew the contract with the Knicks for 4 years and $156.5 million in advance, and voluntarily cut the salary by 110 million US dollars. It would be a pity for anyone to sign one year less and get 110 million less. But at that time, Brunson said that putting the bags in peace was his key consideration, and he also hoped that the team would be more competitive. In fact, Brunson will definitely not be the top scorer in the team in the next few seasons. This season, Downs will be 49.21 million, Anunoby will be 36.64 million, and Brunson will only be 24.96 million US dollars! Last season, Brunson persisted until he was eliminated in the playoffs with a broken hand injury. This season, he suffered an ankle sprain in the regular season and rested for a month.

G4's ankle sprained again in the playoffs. After a short rest, he came back to continue playing in the last quarter. He played with an injury in the last quarter and scored 13 points. This is the top tough guy in the NBA! In ESPN's words, Brunson has always been a super giant that has been seriously underestimated. When he was still in the Mavericks for 22 years, he averaged 18 points on the Western Conference Finals stage, but when he wanted a four-year, $55 million contract, he was ruthlessly rejected! Although the Knicks signed Brunson for 104 million in four years, the contract is decreasing year by year, and their salary is constantly decreasing every year. Moreover, when he first came to the Knicks, the New York media generally looked down on Brunson's prospects and bluntly stated that the second round pick of 1.88 meters cannot help the Knicks complete their revival! But since Brunson joined the Knicks, the Knicks have become a regular visitor in the top four in the Eastern Conference, with a guaranteed divisional semi-final in the playoffs!

To be honest, the upper limit of the Knicks team is not high due to the existence of Thibodeau! Since the regular season, Thibodeau has overdrafted the main players. Even if Shamet, McBride, Payne, and Mitchell Robinson on the bench won more points, Thibodeau was still worried. By the playoffs, there were fewer and fewer rotations. Last season, there was a rare scene where the five Knicks started for more than 46 minutes. Playing to the second round was already the physical limit of these players! This season, Anunobi, Bridges and Hart have no substitutes available. No matter how serious ankle sprained Brunson insists on playing, and there are internal complaints, but what's the use? Thibodeau won't be dismissed easily because of his regular season results, but the players are very tired.

From the Mavericks playing the second in command next to Doncic to supporting the team in the Knicks, Brunson, as a second-round pick who is only 1.88 meters tall, has gradually grown into the toughest super giant in the playoffs. Although the Knicks' ceiling this season is clearly visible and it is difficult for them to overcome the Celtics, for Brunson, he has indeed won respect. But Thibodeau really should be dismissed. If you continue to play like this, it is difficult to ensure that Brunson will not follow Rose's footsteps. Such a coach will have too much harm to the players.