Knicks News Roundup

"Many around the league believe Joel Embiid will ask out sooner rather than later... and that a full rebuild is what Morey is covertly hoping for." - Vince Goodwill

It's a Monday morning in August, so let's discuss the latest rumblings and rumors related to Knickerbocker basketball. However, before we get into the gossip section, let's review the FIBA game action over the past few days. 

🏀 Team USA survived a scare in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. They needed an 18-0 fourth-quarter run to beat Germany, 99-91. Anthony Edwards (who turned 22 just two weeks ago) put the team on his back down the stretch and finished the game with 34 points on 11-20 shooting and 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. Through America's five exhibition contests, Ant Man averaged a team-high 19.2 points per game while shooting 51% from the floor. 

"He's unquestionably the guy," Team USA coach Steve Kerr said of Edwards after Sunday's win. "You can see he knows it. But now the team knows it, and I think the fans see it. ... He genuinely believes he's the best player in the gym every single night. And he's such a dynamic young player. I think he's taking a leap."

The other key member of Team USA to power the come-from-behind victory in the second half was Tyrese Haliburton. In part because Jalen Brunson had trouble staying in front of German PG Dennis Schroder, Kerr went with red-hot Haliburton for most of the second half. He scored 17 of his 18 points in the final 16 minutes of action.

Brunson logged just 15 minutes, finishing with eight points and three dimes. Josh Hart was scoreless in ten minutes off the bench. 

Dating back to 1992, The U.S. Men's National Team has gone 64-4 in exhibition games before major international competitions and 28-1 in pre-World Cup exhibition tours. 

Team USA will now prepare for their first World Cup group-stage opponent. The Americans will take on New Zealand this upcoming Saturday, Aug. 26. The contest is scheduled to tip off at 8:40 a.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.