I was looking Jalen Brunson's numbers in this series.
He was averaging 31.5ppg and 8.2apg. However, he only shot 43.6% FG 33.3% 3PT for a TS% of 54.7%.
This is a repeat of what we saw last season with his scoring efficiency dropping hugely from the regular season. Last season, teams were able to load up on him due to a limited offensive supporting cast as his team was hit by injuries. This year, however, Brunson has KAT and Mikal Bridges alongside him plus the return and improvement offensively of OG Anunoby. He has offensive help now. Yet still, his scoring efficiency has dropped way off.
Brunson was a 60% TS% guy in the regular season. As he has been for the last 5 years on average. However, in the post season, his TS% was 53.6% last season and 54.7% this season.
The Knicks as a team shot 55% TS%. So Brunson is roughly average relative to his teammates. The Pistons shot 56.2% TS% so Brunson is less efficient with his shooting than Detroit was.
That is disappointing output efficiency wise.
Yet still, the Knicks look lost without him. His shot creation and more importantly playmaking are vital to their offense. Without Brunson, they don't have enough penetrative passing or driving. Everything is in front of the defense and easy to defend.
Those 31.5ppg and 8.2apg do become more efficient when you factor in his low turnover numbers at only 2.7 turnovers per game. The Knicks as a whole averaged only 13 turnovers per game against an aggressive Pistons defense. Brunson was the main part of that.
