Knicks embracing valuable playoff atmosphere of NBA Cup early in season

LAS VEGAS — It’s as close as it gets.No, the NBA Cup is not the same as the playoffs.But it provides the Knicks with a valuable opportunity to gain more experience in playoff-like atmospheres.For a game played this early in the season, they represent the only games with real elimination-type stakes on the line.“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to be in that kind of playoff atmosphere and understand what’s on the line,” Karl-Anthony Towns said.

“And to go out there and, you know, show ourselves, again, how disciplined you need to be to win these kinds of games in the NBA Cup.And also, how important execution is.

You know, and for us to reach the goals that we have for our team, you know, discipline and execution is going to be at the forefront of most important things that we need to build consistency at.”This group is not exactly void of playoff experience.They reached the Eastern Conference finals last year, and pretty much the entirety of the core has remained intact.But the value in these games goes beyond just executing in high leverage moments on the courts.

It extends off the court, with the influx of media attention.Unlike normal games, there were swarms of national media asking questions ahead of the Knicks’ clash against the Magic at T-Mobile Arena.There were social media influencers asking silly questions to post online.

There was a plethora of reporters watching part of their practice on Friday, something that does not normally happen when they practice in Tarrytown.It’s the kind of media attention that returns in the playoffs.The Knicks had plenty of it last year, but they see the value in experiencing it again midseason, rather than going the whole regular season without it.“Yeah, definitely,” Jalen Brunson said.

“I think that just the atmosphere and what this is capable of being for us can be a huge thing for us.Excited for this opportunity, for sure.”Coach Mike Brown has been part of six NBA Finals as either he...