GT: ECF: GAME 2 @Knicks vs Pacers: Fri: 5/23/25: TNT; 8pm

[K_ick_God]

one game doesn't win a series. that is a weak minded outlook.

It usually does when you had won the game. And who would have faith in a team after what we saw.

This isn't a movie with a happy ending. It's rank incompetence. That doesn't go away because you want it to.

Carlisle knows what he's doing ... we committed like 15 laughable mistakes because Thibs needs to be put out to pasture but won't be.

the team responds well anytime they lost in the playoffs.

Different situation my friend. We are arguably not better than the Pacers at all and we're not better enough to survive something that had a 000.1% chance of happening. And that 000.1% chance came from willfully committing unthinkable stupidity that opened a door that was closed. That is going to have some effect on morale right? This is not like some full court shot that went in at the buzzer.

No, the Knicks could explain that away. But that's not what happened. This was Thibs essentially, in effect, intentionally running the team bus into a ditch.

You're not surviving that.

[8516knicks]

Tough loss game 1, we handed them over a game but all season long our squad has had their best games after a big loss. This is a gritty squad and will punch back game 2, we basically outplayed them for 45 minutes of the game and let our guard down. Brunson will come out aggressive as will KAT, we need the wings to be better on the defensive end and we MUST box out. Mitch needs more then 21 minutes because he causes havoc out there. LETS GET THIS GAME WIN GAME 2 and go the road where we play more loose and free.

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I don't expect these shots to go in 6/6 down the stretch of the game moving foward, Nothing but good vibes, No negativity, this was not going to be a sweep but I still see us winning this series.

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Hart was sleeping on that back cut, but watch Mitch. He SEES McConnell cutting wide open to the basket but TURNS BACK to look at Siakam instead of picking up McConnell?@! You'd think he'd be able to stop him; or was he more afraid of being blamed if the ball went to Siakam for a corner three? Mitch is in there for this D around the basket. Two of our best players asleep on the crucial basket.

I think Mitch was guarding Toppin in the near corner not Siakam. OG was on Siakam in the far corner. Which makes it even worse, Mitch should definitely have left Obi to stop McConnell cutting

You are right, Mitch was guarding Obi. Maybe I had a Mandella moment there!

[bronxknicksfan1]

I'd start Mitch over Bridges at this point, the on/off net ratings are not kind to him, he is the sore thumb out of all the guys. And if they're afraid to start Mitch, I'd go with Deuce over Bridges as well.

What I don’t get is how these analytics don’t match what we’ve been watching with how Hart hurts our spacing and allows doubles on Jalen. The rebounds n assists gotta be skewing these numbers lol. He can still get them for us off the bench.

I’d take made 3’s by a wide open Deuce over those Hart rebounds (n assists which will go to someone else like Mikal who should have the ball more)… not to mention a more efficient Jalen once the defense realizes they can’t keep doing that without getting punished. Plus Deuce at POA helps Mikal fall back to his natural position on defense.

I just dunno if these stats capture the whole scope of the game.

you might get the assists between everyone else. you’re not getting the rebounds. or fast break points off those rebounds.

We only got 5 fastbreak points last night. So does that really matter?

[spree8]

I'd start Mitch over Bridges at this point, the on/off net ratings are not kind to him, he is the sore thumb out of all the guys. And if they're afraid to start Mitch, I'd go with Deuce over Bridges as well.

What I don’t get is how these analytics don’t match what we’ve been watching with how Hart hurts our spacing and allows doubles on Jalen. The rebounds n assists gotta be skewing these numbers lol. He can still get them for us off the bench.

I’d take made 3’s by a wide open Deuce over those Hart rebounds (n assists which will go to someone else like Mikal who should have the ball more)… not to mention a more efficient Jalen once the defense realizes they can’t keep doing that without getting punished. Plus Deuce at POA helps Mikal fall back to his natural position on defense.

I just dunno if these stats capture the whole scope of the game.

you might get the assists between everyone else. you’re not getting the rebounds. or fast break points off those rebounds.

That’s the thing, I really don’t know how to quantify all of it not even with the help of AI lol. But…


With Deuce instead of Hart:

1: Far better 3pt shooting
2: No 3PT hesitation or indecisiveness leading to TO’s or low % FGA
3: More efficiency from Jalen via less doubles
4: Mikal handling the ball more… increased confidence and impact
5: POA defense allowing Mikal to guard the wing
6: Best POA defender on the team, tops in the league


Hart instead of Deuce:

1: Net positive is really just the rebounding


That being said, how many rebounds can Hart get that Towns (who is fighting Hart constantly on the boards, like both having a hand on the ball) or Mikal, OG, Deuce, n Jalen can’t get? And of those rebounds, how many are actually converting to made field goals in transition?

Given everything here, and I know I may be missing some intangibles, I’d roll the dice on starting Deuce over Hart every time. Been sayin it since before opening night.

[spree8]

What I don’t get is how these analytics don’t match what we’ve been watching with how Hart hurts our spacing and allows doubles on Jalen. The rebounds n assists gotta be skewing these numbers lol. He can still get them for us off the bench.

I’d take made 3’s by a wide open Deuce over those Hart rebounds (n assists which will go to someone else like Mikal who should have the ball more)… not to mention a more efficient Jalen once the defense realizes they can’t keep doing that without getting punished. Plus Deuce at POA helps Mikal fall back to his natural position on defense.

I just dunno if these stats capture the whole scope of the game.

you might get the assists between everyone else. you’re not getting the rebounds. or fast break points off those rebounds.

We only got 5 fastbreak points last night. So does that really matter?

Yea and of those, I’d like to know how many are a direct result of Hart’s rebounding

[Jeff Van Gully]

What I don’t get is how these analytics don’t match what we’ve been watching with how Hart hurts our spacing and allows doubles on Jalen. The rebounds n assists gotta be skewing these numbers lol. He can still get them for us off the bench.

I’d take made 3’s by a wide open Deuce over those Hart rebounds (n assists which will go to someone else like Mikal who should have the ball more)… not to mention a more efficient Jalen once the defense realizes they can’t keep doing that without getting punished. Plus Deuce at POA helps Mikal fall back to his natural position on defense.

I just dunno if these stats capture the whole scope of the game.

you might get the assists between everyone else. you’re not getting the rebounds. or fast break points off those rebounds.

We only got 5 fastbreak points last night. So does that really matter?

last night was last night

[bronxknicksfan1]

you might get the assists between everyone else. you’re not getting the rebounds. or fast break points off those rebounds.

We only got 5 fastbreak points last night. So does that really matter?

last night was last night

Pacers have the best transition defense in the playoffs. That isn’t just a last night thing. They get back on defense quick.

[Context]

One thing we can all agree with- we need game 2 tonight
Y'all need to keep it together- stop going at eachother
We got a series to win.

[bronxknicksfan1]

you might get the assists between everyone else. you’re not getting the rebounds. or fast break points off those rebounds.

We only got 5 fastbreak points last night. So does that really matter?

Yea and of those, I’d like to know how many are a direct result of Hart’s rebounding

Even then, 6 shot attempts in 44 minutes is unacceptable. I get we still scored 135 points, but when it got to the end of the game, the Pacers were just doubling and trapping Brunson. Need another threat out there. Can’t just play 4 on 5.

[The KnicksFix]

Wow Brunson basically telling KAT to STFU.

I’m with it
KAT’s sloppy defense has put the rest of the team at risk time and time again covering for him

Completely delusional. OG shoots early, isn't guarding anybody, can't gather the ball or make a dunk or just bring the ball out like it should be ... and that's KAT's fault mostly.

What a joke.

They NEEDED a 3 and OG is well inside the line, guarding air. OG gets a pass because why? Nobody knows.

KAT is a better and smarter player than 0g who should be booed every time he touches it next game.

Nah Brody, I completely disagree, look at the play again, KAT hits a finger roll layup and puts us up 8. But on the route back down the court, he guards Neismith. He completely gets picked by Siakim and instead of calling it out so OG knows who to guard, OG is left in no man’s land deciding which person KAT WONT guard. OG has a right to be pissed, you can’t switch defensive coverages last minute and expect your teammate to read your mind.

[The KnicksFix]

One thing we can all agree with- we need game 2 tonight
Y'all need to keep it together- stop going at eachother
We got a series to win.

I think the Knicks are salivating and are more rabid than Knick fans right now. They are THAT mad

[K_ick_God]

I’m with it
KAT’s sloppy defense has put the rest of the team at risk time and time again covering for him

Completely delusional. OG shoots early, isn't guarding anybody, can't gather the ball or make a dunk or just bring the ball out like it should be ... and that's KAT's fault mostly.

What a joke.

They NEEDED a 3 and OG is well inside the line, guarding air. OG gets a pass because why? Nobody knows.

KAT is a better and smarter player than 0g who should be booed every time he touches it next game.

Nah Brody, I completely disagree, look at the play again, KAT hits a finger roll layup and puts us up 8. But on the route back down the court, he guards Neismith. He completely gets picked by Siakim and instead of calling it out so OG knows who to guard, OG is left in no man’s land deciding which person KAT WONT guard. OG has a right to be pissed, you can’t switch defensive coverages last minute and expect your teammate to read your mind.

That's still a mistake, an honest mistake. OG shooting a 3 with time left early in the clock is basically a willful act of betrayal of trust and professionalism. So is him not pulling the ball back with 20 seconds on the clock, instead of shooting his lame little blocked shot (it was the right call).

There is absolutely zero to defend OG about. Just as you can't defend Thibs. I don't care that much about this one play. OG is hurt, ineffective, playing stupidly, and basically, let's be real, a huge negative. His +- all shows it.

He's been horrible these playoffs and didn't add much during the season either. Guy is incredibly phony and weak. Booooooo. Him and Thibs are the main culprits.

[spree8]

I’m with it
KAT’s sloppy defense has put the rest of the team at risk time and time again covering for him

Completely delusional. OG shoots early, isn't guarding anybody, can't gather the ball or make a dunk or just bring the ball out like it should be ... and that's KAT's fault mostly.

What a joke.

They NEEDED a 3 and OG is well inside the line, guarding air. OG gets a pass because why? Nobody knows.

KAT is a better and smarter player than 0g who should be booed every time he touches it next game.

Nah Brody, I completely disagree, look at the play again, KAT hits a finger roll layup and puts us up 8. But on the route back down the court, he guards Neismith. He completely gets picked by Siakim and instead of calling it out so OG knows who to guard, OG is left in no man’s land deciding which person KAT WONT guard. OG has a right to be pissed, you can’t switch defensive coverages last minute and expect your teammate to read your mind.

I blame Thibs… gameplan should’ve been switching since the opening tip and everyone should’ve known what to do.

[bronxknicksfan1]

One thing I’ll say, nothing in G1 showed me that the Pacers are unstoppable. Aaron Nesmith magnet ball game miracle doesn’t change that we were dominating that 4th quarter.

Said before the series even started, Knicks could take this in 5. But they have a tendency to lose focus and wouldn’t be surprised if it went 7 because of that. Backs against the wall for the first time all playoffs, I fully expect them to get G2 and split in Gainbridge.

[Context]

One thing we can all agree with- we need game 2 tonight
Y'all need to keep it together- stop going at eachother
We got a series to win.

I think the Knicks are salivating and are more rabid than Knick fans right now. They are THAT mad

I agree...I saw that in Hart, Brunson and Kat...OG had this energy of we'll be fine and Mikal was more like all we have to do is communicate and
not relax...but Hart, Brunson and Kat looked as you put it "that mad"

[Adelheid]

We only got 5 fastbreak points last night. So does that really matter?

Yea and of those, I’d like to know how many are a direct result of Hart’s rebounding

Even then, 6 shot attempts in 44 minutes is unacceptable. I get we still scored 135 points, but when it got to the end of the game, the Pacers were just doubling and trapping Brunson. Need another threat out there. Can’t just play 4 on 5.

too bad, thibs will ride josh until the day he gets fired.
josh is not going to get benched. He is the embodiment of thibs' playstyle preference

[K_ick_God]

Hart was sleeping on that back cut, but watch Mitch. He SEES McConnell cutting wide open to the basket but TURNS BACK to look at Siakam instead of picking up McConnell?@! You'd think he'd be able to stop him; or was he more afraid of being blamed if the ball went to Siakam for a corner three? Mitch is in there for this D around the basket. Two of our best players asleep on the crucial basket.

I think Mitch was guarding Toppin in the near corner not Siakam. OG was on Siakam in the far corner. Which makes it even worse, Mitch should definitely have left Obi to stop McConnell cutting

You are right, Mitch was guarding Obi. Maybe I had a Mandella moment there!

Mitch probably had the very worst stretch of anybody to be fair. He was a scarecrow stuck in the ground during OT. Unfocused, unaware, did absolutely nothing. What a joke. Stood there as Obi dunked it. Watching guys cut to the rim. Horrific, really. And the coach just let it alllllll happen lol.

[Context]

Completely delusional. OG shoots early, isn't guarding anybody, can't gather the ball or make a dunk or just bring the ball out like it should be ... and that's KAT's fault mostly.

What a joke.

They NEEDED a 3 and OG is well inside the line, guarding air. OG gets a pass because why? Nobody knows.

KAT is a better and smarter player than 0g who should be booed every time he touches it next game.

Nah Brody, I completely disagree, look at the play again, KAT hits a finger roll layup and puts us up 8. But on the route back down the court, he guards Neismith. He completely gets picked by Siakim and instead of calling it out so OG knows who to guard, OG is left in no man’s land deciding which person KAT WONT guard. OG has a right to be pissed, you can’t switch defensive coverages last minute and expect your teammate to read your mind.

I blame Thibs… gameplan should’ve been switching since the opening tip and everyone should’ve known what to do.

I dont think he has that big of one spree...

[K_ick_God]

One thing I’ll say, nothing in G1 showed me that the Pacers are unstoppable. Aaron Nesmith magnet ball game miracle doesn’t change that we were dominating that 4th quarter.

Said before the series even started, Knicks could take this in 5. But they have a tendency to lose focus and wouldn’t be surprised if it went 7 because of that. Backs against the wall for the first time all playoffs, I fully expect them to get G2 and split in Gainbridge.

The game was over so yeah. We already beat them. But decided to leave the safe open, basically on purpose, so they could steal our win. Essentially, effectively, the same as throwing the game. Just based on incompetence.

Too late now. That's what people don't realize. Too late already. Some mistakes, doesn't matter how "determined" you are to erase the mistake. You lose. A G1 giveback, 100% giveback of your win, you lose. Fatal. Buh-bye Knicks.

[LFGK]

The Pacers are an extremely lethal team with amazing chemistry.

Remember the same squad and rotation is there from last season. They’ve gotten even better.

I looked at the Pacers playoff performances and in all their wins they are, except for one game, shooting over 50% from the field and over 40% from 3. Does anyone remember last year in Game 7 when they shot like 70% for the game? This team can score and is extremely efficient. I just don’t see us beating them at this point. Just taking the big choke collapse out of the equation - we shot 50% and lost. We don’t normally shoot 50% from the field. We can’t shut this team down when it matters. I just don’t see it happening.

Thank you, we don't need this negativity