BEST THINGS ARE 3: Evan Turner of the 76ers can only watch as Ronnie Brewer, who racked up 13 points and 10 rebounds, elevates for a 3-pointer in the Knicks’ 110-88 win last night in Philadelphia. (
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PHILADELPHIA — The stingiest defensive team in the league last season, the Bulls, looked at the Knicks and hardly saw a mirror image. They saw an unwilling defensive team with one great defender. Ronnie Brewer knows that was the case. Ronnie Brewer was a Bull.
“A team that doesn’t play great defense. A team that’s got one great defender in Tyson Chandler and other guys who are capable of playing defense who just don’t play defense,” Brewer said of the Bulls’ assessment from afar of the Knicks, his current team, while noting the questions about Carmelo Anthony.
“A lot of people questioned Melo’s effort on defense,” explained Brewer from his new inside vantage point. “Now, three games into the season, everybody has seen what he’s been doing. Everybody’s assessment has to change because he’s bringing effort on both ends of the court. To me, he’s been phenomenal thus far.”
Perceptions change. Just like the perception of Brewer as unable to be an offensive threat in the early going for the Knicks as he regained his conditioning after arthroscopic left knee surgery in the offseason and a near non-existent preseason.
In last night’s 110-88 blasting of the 76ers that made the Knicks 3-0 for the first time since 1999-2000, Brewer had a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. While the Knicks hardly broke a sweat after climbing back from a 14-4 hole, Brewer applied the likely finishing touches in the third quarter — with a pair of 3-point shots, no less.
They came 55 seconds apart and after Brewer hit the second, the Knicks were laughing, up 72-54.
“I played two preseason games, limited minutes in both of those, and I’m more confident, getting in better shape every game,” Brewer said. “When that comes my play is going to get better, and that’s what I’m trying to do: Improve every game when I’m out there.”
His coach is happy.
“He has done a great job considering he hasn’t played much basketball since he had the knee surgery,” Mike Woodson said. “But he’s coming along pretty nicely. I like the way he’s defending.”
And his teammates believe in him.
“Give him the ball. He’s a professional. Everybody is going to miss shots. You got to keep taking them when you’re open. And I think he shot the ball well,” Jason Kidd said of Brewer, who was 5-of-8 shooting.
“When you play defense, the offense comes. No matter how many times you miss, the ball will start falling for you if you do the right thing.”
Brewer said, “It’s been a lot easier than I thought because we’ve got a lot of veteran guys who welcomed me with open arms.”