The New York Knicks are 0-3 for the first time in recent memory, and the weight of the slow start is being shouldered by their star point guard. Following Sunday's loss to the Orlando Magic, Jalen Brunson addressed the team's offensive struggles directly.
"Everything falls on my shoulders," Brunson told ESPN in reference to the team's sputtering offense.
The defeat carries historical significance: the Knicks are the first defending champion to open a season 0-3 since the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks. That Mavericks team, which won the 2011 title, also stumbled out of the gate before eventually righting the ship.
For local fans, the 0-3 start raises questions about whether the Knicks can rediscover the form that carried them to a championship last season. The offense, in particular, has yet to find its rhythm, and Brunson's comments suggest the responsibility for fixing it starts with him.
The Knicks will look to avoid a fourth consecutive loss in their next outing. Brunson's leadership and the team's ability to adjust will be under close scrutiny as the season progresses.
