The Athletic NBA Daily Knicks topple Cavs + Wemby explodes for 40
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Oct 23, 2025 James Edwards, a beat reporter covering the Knicks, joins from Madison Square Garden to discuss the team’s impressive opening-night victory over the Cavs. He breaks down Mike Brown's defensive adjustments and the critical role of bench players. Meanwhile, Jared Weiss, Spurs reporter, analyzes Victor Wembanyama's explosive debut, where he scored 40 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Weiss highlights Wemby's improved decision-making and how he seamlessly impacts every phase of the game. Expect exciting insights on rookies and team dynamics!
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Knicks Embrace Faster Spacing Offense
- The Knicks quickly adopted Mike Brown's faster, spacing-first philosophy and controlled the game after an early rocky start.
- New rotations and 11 players used early showed the team can sustain offensive balance without starters like Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart.
System Beats Set Plays Early
- Mike Brown's system removed drop-off between starters and bench by installing clear spacing and movement principles before plays.
- That structure let role players like Tyler Colk and Immanuel Quickley thrive in organized minutes.
Be Patient With Role Transitions
- Expect players to need time to learn new on- and off-ball roles, so prioritize reps over immediate results.
- Let players discover shot locations and timing within the system rather than forcing quick fixes.