Jonathan Macri
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Dean of @KnickFilmSkool. Host of @NBATakedownPod. Girl Dad. Recovering lawyer. Words on Substack (link below)
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Articles by Jonathan Macri
Still Hungover
Good morning. I hate losing to that f*****g team. There’s no such thing as a one-possession loss that isn’t infuriating. It’s just a matter of how. Sometimes, a team plays really well, and despite their best efforts, the other team just makes another play, another stop, or another shot. This, most decidedly, was not that.
Friday Subscriber Chat
Good morning. New York is back at it tonight hoping to start a new winning streak against the rivals from Indiana, who will once again be without Tyrese Haliburton and are listing Aaron Nesmith as questionable. The Pacers are 4-8 on the season but are coming off a win. New York’s injury report is clean, although there’s been no shortage of national conversation about Mikal Bridges over the last 24 hours, so we’ll see how he responds to that.
Blame Game
Good morning. The winning streak is over. But at least tomorrow is Friday. Oh, and belated congrats to Jalen Brunson for winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week. It’s become so commonplace, I completely forgot to mention it. Well done, Cap. Before I start going around and pointing the finger of blame for last night’s unfortunate defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, let me start by putting some of that blame on my own shoulders.
Laugher
Good morning! That was fun. No Josh Hart last night, but that was due to an illness and not his bum ankle. The Cavs come into MSG tonight for a 7pm start on ESPN. Sam Merrill is out while Jaylon Tyson is questionable. Be sure to join me and GMAC for a live watchalong on the KFS YouTube channel. You know it was an easy night when all I want to write about after a game is the backup point guard. Alas, here we are.
Knicks Film School
Where NBA fans learn about the Knicks.
Hiding in Plain Sight
Good morning! The Knicks have another day off, which we should enjoy while it lasts. Starting tomorrow, New York will play eight games in 13 days, and won’t play consecutive games in the same location from November 11 to November 21. Rest up, fellas. He’s a week late, but Michael Myers has finally risen from the dead.
Death, Taxes, and Beating Cleveland
Good morning! I’ll have lengthier thoughts on this game tomorrow, including film clips on a night that contained a lot to dig into, but I did want to get out a few thoughts on the latest edition of the most one-sided rivalry in the NBA… There was a moment at the end of the first quarter quarter last night where a small portion of me was worried. Like, a minuscule portion of me. Not even a toe. Maybe half a toe. And not the big toe either.
ECF Rematch...
Good morning! The Knicks have another night off tonight, but will head into Cleveland tomorrow for an 8pm tipoff with the Cavs. The last time the Knicks were in northeast Ohio, they were raising the Bob Cousy Trophy, albeit in subdued fashion. Unlike when the Spurs beat the Thunder, they knew the mission wasn’t done yet. Like the Knicks, the Cavaliers sport a record of 4-4 but they just lost both ends of home & home set with OKC. They’ll play the 8-1 Sixers tonight.
Running of the Bulls
… It took a whole eight games, but the Knicks finally got back to doing the thing they became so adept at during the postseason: Setting records. In their 80 years of existence as a franchise, they’d never scored more points in a first half than they did last night, when they put up 84 en route to their first true blowout of the season. It was a total they’d matched only one time before, on November 18, 1988, in a game they wound up losing to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Under the Hood
Good morning! The Knicks will play the Bulls for the second time in a week tonight, with a 7:30 pm tipoff at MSG. Nic Claxton is questionable to make his season debut while Josh Hart is questionable with an ankle issue. Before we get to today’s newsletter, I strongly recommend everyone giving a listen to this quick soundbite from Mike Brown’s media availability yesterday. Reasonable minds may differ, but I find his calm, open demeanor about the slow start not only refreshing but very encouraging.
Better Late...
Good morning! Where Brooklyn at? In last place, it seems. While every Knicks game this season has been a Rorschach test to varying degrees, last night was easily the best example. Even if we put aside the discrepancy within the fan base base about the overall approach to the season - “it’s all gravy” on one side, “quit screwing around” on the other - and focus purely on the game itself, ask yourself…what exactly did you see?
Fine Line
Good morning! I hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween. The Knicks are back in action tonight at home against Brooklyn, who got their first win of the season last night in Indiana. Let’s make sure they don’t get their second, shall we? No real news to report today, other than Jose Alvarado being upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game, but I did want to spend a moment on something Mike Brown touched on in his Sunday media availability.
Spooky
Good morning, and Happy Halloween. The Knicks, sadly, were back in costume last night… So much for putting the early season sluggishness behind them. In what is now becoming a trend, the Knicks came out unprepared to play a competitive game against a good team last night. Not what you want after a nice two-game winning streak. Philly was crisp on both ends from the opening tip, such that a nine-point halftime deficit felt miraculous.
Friday Chat!
Good morning! Boo! As I mentioned last week, today is another shorter newsletter, but Tom Piccolo has a great piece on Tyler Kolek up on the KFS Website. Be sure to check that out ASAP, especially with Jose Alvarado missing his fourth straight gam tonight. Happy Friday friends, and an early Happy Halloween to all who celebrate.
Bull Rush
Good morning! Why does it seem like we play a disproportionately high number of crazy games against the Bulls? Time to add a new entry to the canon… Following a Norm Powell 3-pointer that put the Bulls up 87-68 with just under five minutes to go in the third quarter, I became the Alonzo Mourning gif. On one hand, the Knicks had just reminded us that they were capable of being a very serious basketball team one night earlier against Detroit.
We Are So Back
Good morning! Before we get to last night’s action, a reminder that the Knicks are back in action tonight in Chicago to face the Bulls. Tip off is at 8pm. "The Knicks are having fun again!" Josh Hart drains a 3 at the buzzer to end the 3rd and The Garden is electric again! @LT__Murray | @nyknicks | #AlwaysKnicks 2:24 AM · Oct 28, 2026 · 3.95K Views 9 Reposts · 72 Likes If it’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s to never tell people how to fan.
Perspective
Good morning. It was a tough news day out of OKC, where the Thunder announced that Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace will be out indefinitely, possibly for the season, following surgical procedures. Oklahoma City went into the season as slight favorites to win it all, just ahead of San Antonio. Now, with two of their best players potentially out for the season, their entire outlook has changed, not only for this year, but perhaps beyond that as well.
Uh Oh-and-Three
Good morning. Gotta say, I didn’t have 0-3 on my bingo card, but here we are. When Mike Brown came out before the season and told reporters he looked forward to finding out how his team would respond to their first losing streak of the season, I think he was being honest. I just don’t think he wanted to find out the answer before Halloween. After dropping what was easily their worst game of the 0-3 start, he’ll be getting his wish anyway.
Too Little, 0-2 Late
Good morning and happy Saturday. The world champs are still looking for their first win. We’ll get to that shortly, but first a quick note on the move earlier in the day to waive Kevin McCullar and sign Dalton Knecht to a two-way spot after he was waived by the Lakers. Knecht was the 17th pick in the 2024 draft despite an impressive conclusion to his college career at Tennessee, but that was partially because he was already 23 years old as a rookie.
First Subscriber Chat of the Season!
Good morning! As promised, I’m jumping back into the deep end of the pool today with my first subscriber chat of the season. I’ll get things going at about 10:30 am, so come with questions, concerns, gloats, grumbles and mean recipes for taco dip. As for tonight, we say hi to our old buddy Mitch, whose Boston Celtics will be looking to avoid an 0-2 start just like us. For the Knicks, going winless after two games would put them in some unfavorable company.
Dre’s Debut
Good morning! The Knicks get to enjoy a second straight day off today, although I wonder how pleasant Mike Brown has been to be around since Tuesday night. For today, we have a deep dive on Andre the Giant, but first, some news… Thanks to everyone reading this, the last few years have been incredible for both me personally and KFS as a whole.
Up Into History
Good morning. 81-1, here we come. Knicks in 5. For most of the postgame show, I went back and forth in my head thinking about how I would address last night in today’s newsletter. Part of me wanted to make the game itself a footnote. We went 53 years without seeing a banner raised to these rafters, and for all we know it might be 53 more years before we see another one1. Teams play shitty basketball games all the time for all sorts of reason. The Knicks had as good an excuse as any.
Let’s Get It On
Good morning! Do I need to tell anyone what tonight is? I didn’t think so. For anyone not going to the game, come join us on the KFS YouTube channel for a live watch along starting at 6:30. Look forward to seeing everyone there. 129 days. When you consider the 19,392 days that passed between the last Knicks championship and this one, I think we deserved a little longer to celebrate. That’s one thought. Others can’t wait for tip off so the title defense can begin in earnest.
5 Rules for Life as a Champion
Good Morning! After all the hubbub about making room on the roster for an extra veteran, the Knicks waived Bruce Brown over the weekend, making it official that James Wiseman will begin the year as the 14th man. Mike Brown predictably praised Brown, but in the end, it didn’t seem like the juice was worth the squeeze. As a result, we will Dadiet another day after all. We’re nearly there. After four-plus months of unfettered joy, it’s almost time to get back to reality.
Ready for Primetime
Good morning! Who’s ready for Tuesday night? KAT, that’s who. Before we get to last night’s action, we have a bit of news. The Knicks started the day with three moves we saw coming, as they waived Ochai Agbaji, Tony Bradley, and Drew Eubanks. Earlier in the day, it was revealed that Eubanks had a torn pectoral muscle, although I’m guessing his fate had been decided regardless.
How to Open a Roster Spot
Good morning! The Knicks finish up their preseason at home tonight at 7:30 against the Raptors. Hopefully they can get a victory before the real games begin. As for who will be on the roster by Tuesday night… The Knicks have a logjam. Perhaps you’ve heard. As of now, they have 13 players on guaranteed contracts. The 14th spot, it is assumed, will go to a third string center, which seems likely to be James Wiseman at this point.
Good morning. I wonder if the Knicks starters watched that entire game from their beds in New York? Something tells me maybe not. For as much as I know people enjoy reading this newsletter after big wins, days like today are where the true value of a subscription lies. I don’t care if you are the world’s biggest Knicks fan - someone who never misses a game and obsesses over summer league shot mechanics like they’re the arbiter of future titles. It doesn’t matter.
Showing Signs
Good morning! The Knicks play the second half of a rare preseason back-to-back tonight, heading to Toronto for a 7pm tipoff. Mike Brown has already announced that the starters won’t play, which is all the more reason why tonight’s third quarter was so refreshing. More on that shortly.
BREAKING: KAT Extension Talks Paused Indefinitely
Here’s what it means, and why it’s not good. Good morning! Of course the Knicks knew I planned to take the Monday holiday off from writing the newsletter, so they gave me something nice and meaty to chew on for a special late Friday edition. Let’s hope I don’t choke on my food. We have arrived at DEFKAT-3. There is no need to head to your fallout shelter at this time, but please ensure it is stocked with canned goods and fresh water.
Still Working Out the Kinks
The Knicks are still winless in the preseason. Good morning! The Knicks still don’t have a preseason win, but they are defending NBA champions. All in all, not the worst trade off. PSA: there will be NO NEWSLETTER on Monday, barring any news between now and then of course. The next edition will come your way on Tuesday morning recapping Monday night’s Wolves game (7:30 pm; MSG & NBA TV). Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! Sound the alarms. The Knicks can’t win a game.
Wiz on Deck
Good morning! Mike Brown gave a spirited and honest answer yesterday at practice, talking about his message to the team when he didn’t feel they were practicing well. His approval rating continues to rise in my book. Who’s ready for some more scintillating preseason action? I know Trae Young is…assuming he doesn’t take the LeBron route and sit out tonight. I’m actually curious to see the new look Wizards, to the extent they’ll actually suit up.
So Far, So Good
Good morning! Good KFS Pod went up last night with Ian Begley for anyone who can’t get enough KAT / second apron talk. As for today’s newsletter, let’s keep it on the court… It’s so good to have Knicks basketball back in our lives. (and I’m not even a New York baseball fan) I’ve already alluded to this in newsletters and podcasts, but my goal this year is to enjoy watching the Knicks play more than ever.
And We’re Off...
Good morning! The order of operations for today and tomorrow will go as follows: Today we’ll cover the bare bones of New York’s preseason opener while spending the majority of the newsletter on the KAT stuff from Monday morning, and tomorrow we’ll get a little deeper into some of the good, the bad and the ugly from last night. Prayers up to Huk 🙏 As far as preseason openers for defending champs go, this one was pretty chalk.
Top Seed Incoming?
Will the Knicks break another longstanding streak this season? Or better yet, will they want to? Good morning! Before we get to today’s newsletter, I have a very special announcement: to celebrate the start of a new season as defending NBA champions, we’ve completely revamped the Knicks Film School website, which not only features all KFS content in one place, but also has a brand new Community Post section where anyone can submit their writing for all Knicks fans to enjoy.
Ode G
An old friend makes his return with a tribute to the man who helped define New York’s championship run. Good morning! Slow news day yesterday. The most significant Knicks-related item was a picture of Tom Thibodeau wearing skinny jeans. Fun.
More Margin Moves
The Knicks continue to shake up the camp roster. Plus, some thoughts on Deuce’s potential extension, and my (long overdue) Summer Diary. Good morning! Mr. Konchar, we hardly knew ya’… 🏀 We got another flurry of roster moves yesterday, with the headliner being that John Konchar was waived.
Top 3 Knicks Awards Questions
Plus some updates from the first day of Knicks training camp. Good morning! Don’t be alarmed…that sound you hear overhead is just LeBron James choppering out of Philadelphia on the first available flight out. 🏀 Ian Begley reported on some adjustments Mike Brown said he’s planning to make this season.
“The Longest, Shortest Summer Ever”
Jalen Brunson gave us the best quote of media day. Here’s nine more I thought were notable. Good morning! Media day happened! Basketball is back! Loud noises! Here we go… As Josh Hart finished up at the podium, answering a question about whether unresolved contract issues might impact the team’s performance once they start playing games, we got our first “you can’t write this shit” moment of the 2026-27 Knicks season: The power went out.
Top 3 Questions for Training Camp
Good morning! MEDIA DAY IS TODAY! Holy shit, did that sneak up on me. I don’t know about you, but I am not prepared. As I’ll share more in my annual summer diary later this week, I feel like I didn’t get into offseason mode until late July. The price of success, amirite? Anyway, we’ll kick off the start of camp with my annual 3 Questions today. If anyone has anything else they want covered over the next few weeks, hit me up via email - macri@knicksfilmschool.com.
KAT Extension Concern?
Good morning! One note before today’s newsletter, which is that we go back to our regularly scheduled programming next week: 5 newsletters a week, with a free edition on Monday for all subscribers and the rest for full subscibers only. We’re almost there, folks… We had a battle of competing narratives on Wednesday afternoon regarding the impending (or maybe not impending) extension for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Front Office Musings
Good morning! We dedicate this final Wednesday of the true NBA offseason to the front office who finally brought New York a title. You know the NBA season is around the corner when Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe get together for a pod. That was the case yesterday, when Bill and Zach teamed up for a wide-ranging convo about the NBA’s Eastern Conference that opened with some musings about the Knicks.
Top 100 Mailbag
Good morning! As promised, today we’re doing a mailbag to address all of your comments and questions in the aftermath of this summer’s Top 100 Knicks series. Wednesday, I have another mailbag coming to address some emails/messages I received earlier in the summer, and then Friday will be the official close of summer here at the KFS Newsletter with a final piece from Ray Marcano. One week from today is media day. Time flies when you’re celebrating.
Top 100 Revisited
Good morning! Can you believe we’re 10 days away from media day? As far as scheduling goes, this weekend is my daughter’s 10th birthday so there will be no newsletter on Monday, but I will get three editions out next week. Camp opens the following week and we’ll be back on our regular schedule, with a slight tweak or two that I’ll announce as we get closer to the season. Have a great weekend everyone.
September Flurry
Good morning! How fitting that on the day I concluded my top 100 countdown, Leon Rose actually made some moves of note. How notable will they be once the season starts? Let’s get into that right now… I’ll give Leon Rose this: he doesn’t move often, but when he does, he makes it count.
The Greatest Knick of All Time
Good morning! We’re here…the conclusion of my summer-long countdown of the 100 greatest players in franchise history. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading these newsletters as much as I’ve enjoyed researching and writing them. Coming up on Friday, I’ll have the full list in case anyone wants to look at it in totality and make their own adjustments. I’ll also have an opportunity for readers to share their thoughts about what I got right, what I got wrong, and which were the most egregious errors.
The Knicks 100: Karl-Anthony Towns
Good morning ! In case you missed it, over the weekend I caught up with Tyler Kolek, who shared some insight on his summer and approach to this season in a special Saturday newsletter. Be sure to check it out. 10 players - eight already in the Basketball Hall of Fame and two who eventually will be, both on the first ballot whenever they’re eligible. That’s all that remains on our countdown.
Tyler Kolek: “We’re not just satisfied with one”
Good afternoon, and happy Saturday! It’s not every day your humble author has a chance to catch up with one of the men responsible for making our collective dreams come true, so why not shoot out a bonus newsletter to commemorate the occasion. Tyler offered some great insight on New York’s quest to repeat, his own areas of emphasis this summer, Mitchell Robinson’s departure, and his place in the Knicks’ rotation. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Remembering 9/11
Good morning. Hard to believe it’s been 25 years. I still remember being woken up in my dorm room by my roommate, who was dismissed from his morning class early. He turned on the TV and we both watched in disbelieve as life as we knew it changed before our eyes forever. The phrase “simpler times” is often uttered for laughs in movies and television shows, but it’s the only phrase that fits when I think about the difference between before and after.
The Knicks 100: OG Anunoby
Good morning! We’re nearly at the top 10 of our summer-long countdown. This, as they say, is nut-cutting time. When I stripped away all the pomp and circumstance and got down to who would represent the franchise atop this list, in addition to looking at the length of time someone was here and the height of their peak, I basically asked myself four questions: Was the player an indelible piece on multiple title winning teams? Was this an All-Star caliber player on at least one title-winning team?
The Knicks 100: Julius Randle
Good morning, and happy Labor Day! Another weekend with no Knicks news, other than Jalen Brunson appearing on a podcast with his cast off. So good news on that front. Today, we’re dedicating the whole newsletter to the 15th player on our Top 100 countdown. Wednesday, we’ll handle players 14 through 11, followed by 10 through 6 next Monday and finally the top five next Wednesday.
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