Jalen Brunson shows why Knicks trade of fan favorites was needed

RJ Barrett was naive to question whether the Garden fans would cheer. Appreciation was inevitable. This crowd had endured nearly two decades of misery, and Barretts tenure can only be viewed as joyous in that context.

Low bars make for good applause.

So Barrett and Immanuel Quickley received a standing ovation during pregame introductions. It was a fairly emphatic reaction, rousing and voluminous. MSG gave them a dual video tribute during the first timeout.

Great for everybody involved.

But the rest of the evening served as just another reminder why the Knicks shipped them over the north border. By the third quarter, those claps for Barrett and Quickley turned into MVP chants for Jalen Brunson as the Knicks beat up the Raptors, 126-100.

Most of the analysis and debate about the trade concerns the impact and fit of OG Anunoby, which has been seamless and virtually perfect.

5