Mike Francesa shreds Tom Thibodeau after Knicks playoff loss to Pistons: This is not an offense

The Knicks’ problems didn’t start in their Game 2 loss to the Pistons, according to New York sports radio legend Mike Francesa.The former WFAN great criticized coach Tom Thibodeau’s offensive scheme, which he believes is too centered on point guard Jalen Brunson and is holding them back.“The stagnant four guys watching one guy play basketball is not an offense, and I don’t care what your name is,” Francesa said on his Bet Rivers podcast after Monday’s game.“And Brunson is not Michael Jordan.”Brunson tallied one-third of the team’s 81 shots from the floor in Monday’s 100-94 home loss, scoring 37 points in 44 minutes on 12-of-27 shooting.He made 9-of-11 attempts from the foul line.Mikal Bridges added 19 points and the three other starters each tallied 10, but the bench provided just eight points with Game 1 hero Cameron Payne notably playing just four minutes.“If this offense is just going to be Brunson bouncing the basketball for 15 seconds and then if he’s double-teamed he’ll flip a pass to somebody and hope they hit a long 3, or he’s going to find a way to get to the foul line.

Dive against a guy and get free shots.Flop to the ground,” Francesa said.

“How many times in one night is Brunson on the ground? 32? It’s not appealing basketball.It’s all about Brunson.

Why do you think the other teams think he flops? He’s on the ground the whole game.That’s half the Knicks’ offense.”Francesa adds that it doesn’t matter if the Knicks advance past the Pistons because if “four guys are going to be standing around watching Brunson, you’re never going to beat a good team.

You’re never going to beat the Celtics.”The winner of the Knicks-Pistons series will face the victor from the Celtics-Magic.Boston, the defending champs, is heavily favored and easily took Game 1 of the series with Game 2 on Wednesday night.Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for in...