Game Thread: New York Knicks (2-0) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (0-2) Thursday, April 25th 7:30pm

[Iron Mantis]

Nick Nurse is scared to death and desperate. Love it.

his star player is on record calling him a bitch

Well dang.....

[Capn'O]

he's a warrior, despite some of the questionable tendencies (flopping, talking spicy). he will keep coming. shocked so many of us who idolize patrick don't see some interesting parallels on that front. dude doesn't lay down.

I want to love him because his game does remind me of Ewing in a lot of ways and he's fought through a lot physically. I have think that Ewing would have ended up with that rebound though and he would have NEVER given that sniveling "the reffing was unacceptable and we're better than them" post game interview. Patrick was a better leader even if it was as the stoic/silent type.

agreed fully. he's got some ungully tendencies that i think make people overlook how much of a warrior he is in other ways.

That's fair.

[GONYK]

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Potentially huge addition for the Sixers

[Im Coming Home]

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Potentially huge addition for the Sixers

If Brunson was having a hard time before... he really is now.

[G_K_F]

WTF is April 25nd?

[KnicksGadfly]

Embiid is like Darth Vader man, all these injuries and he still puts up an easy 34pts. I really want to win game 3 to feel comfortable about the series.

he's a warrior, despite some of the questionable tendencies (flopping, talking spicy). he will keep coming. shocked so many of us who idolize patrick don't see some interesting parallels on that front. dude doesn't lay down.

I want to love him because his game does remind me of Ewing in a lot of ways and he's fought through a lot physically. I have think that Ewing would have ended up with that rebound though and he would have NEVER given that sniveling "the reffing was unacceptable and we're better than them" post game interview. Patrick was a better leader even if it was as the stoic/silent type.

Embiid is extremely talented, even with the crying. I’ve been impressed with him this series…the Sixers fall apart without him, and he’s clearly battling, even when his health is bad.

We can throw him his flowers after we send him home though. Team USA needs him to get as much rest as possible

[Context]

Philly should change their advertising logo on their jerseys to Kleenex

[thebuzzardman]

Philly should change their advertising logo on their jerseys to Kleenex

Vagosil a better sponsor for them

[Context]

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Honestly, that doesn't sound promising. I expected him to say he's been going over film like crazy to figure it out, etc. Saying "I just need to be better" doesn't really sound promising idk.

IMO-ICH...I think being better- and -he also used the word "poise" is what he was reffereing to. Not rushing shots...letting the game come to him...If he does those two alone - we never lose a 8 point lead and are never in a position with 2:37 left in the game to lose a 2 point lead...

[Context]

Nick Nurse is scared to death and desperate. Love it.

his star player is on record calling him a bitch

Well dang.....

I would love to see the quote

[Context]

Philly should change their advertising logo on their jerseys to Kleenex

Vagosil a better sponsor for them

the still shots would have a back drop of Embiid with his head down playing with his hair

[ezmoney707]

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Honestly, that doesn't sound promising. I expected him to say he's been going over film like crazy to figure it out, etc. Saying "I just need to be better" doesn't really sound promising idk.

I mean wouldn’t that be implied in his statement that he needs to figure out what they are doing?!?

I’m sure they been having film sessions since Tuesday.

Yes he does simply need to be better. He has to read the defense and get others involved if they put him in difficult looks and has to dictate his/our offense more, we’ve seen it all season with him being able to adjust and I believe he does game 3

Similar to how Ant Edwards let the game come to him last night he has to pick his spots and slow himself down

[knicksstuff]

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Potentially huge addition for the Sixers

If Brunson was having a hard time before... he really is now.

Give me 6'3 Melton guarding Brunson and ill watch him cook him like he cooks every small guard in the league. It would be a mistake for Philly to go away from Oubre/Harris/Batum on brunson

[stuporman]

Yea, if Brunson doesn't spell out it out precisely in public replying to media's question and do it in exacting detail the game plan before the games are even played....idk, it doesn't sound promising.

[JayTWill]

This is a difficult matchup for Brunson and he needs to play better. Obviously another shot creator would help but I think the biggest issue is simply Thibs' offensive schemes. It's 2024 and I still feel like i'm watching Derrick Rose constantly running into a wall against the Heat in the 2011 playoffs.

If Randle was healthy he would add another creator and take some of the weight off of Brunson but I don't think it would change the way Brunson is being defended. He would just provide another guy to take difficult shots playing in a crowd. The one time in early January when Randle played against the Sixers he was 1-11 for 8 points with 5 assists and 4 turnovers. Brunson played relatively well
shooting 11-20 for 29 points but that 11-20 could have easily been 5-20. He just made a ton of difficult shots that he is not making now.

You can't expect to continuously play well offensively in the playoffs constantly taking difficult shots. Thibs has to do a better job of creating easier shots that are not entirely dependent on the individual scoring capabilities of his star players. Possession after possession the only player receiving a screen is Brunson. There is very little happening off the ball that does not involve him. There is nothing to occupy the other defenders on the court visually, mentally or physically. All eyes are focused on him at all times as they just stand and wait.

I don't expect to become the dynasty Warriors overnight but what is the point of having all this perimeter shooting and unselfish players that are willing to move, pass, cut, screen and just do whatever it takes to win just to have them standing stationary on the perimeter most of the game waiting for 1 guy to create everything?

[HarthorneWingo]

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Potentially huge addition for the Sixers

And we have Shake N’ Bake Milton ready. That’s a wash.

[Capn'O]

JB's not about to give any intel.

[Context]

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Potentially huge addition for the Sixers

If he's been out for a ton a games that could actually backfire on them.

[Im Coming Home]

Didn't realize so many people would be upset about my 'doesn't sound promising' comment.

I just felt like it came off like a 'gotta keep doing what i do' type comment that didn't show a change in approach. Obviously Brunson is smarter than that, but he didn't really look much better in Game 2 than he did in Game 1 so it just is concerning.

[Context]

Didn't realize so many people would be upset about my 'doesn't sound promising' comment.

I just felt like it came off like a 'gotta keep doing what i do' type comment that didn't show a change in approach. Obviously Brunson is smarter than that, but he didn't really look much better in Game 2 than he did in Game 1 so it just is concerning.

I wasnt upset
I just think that Jalen's confidence level and belief in himself is the reason in game 2 he didnt change his approach. When he used the word "poise" I think it was a clear acknowledgment of
his "lack of poise" and crossing the line of being overly aggressive with his shots...

After watching their videos today- I got the feeling that while they respect philly and will not overlook them- they dont have any doubt in their minds that they can beat philly ICH...