ECF Playoff Game Thread: Knicks @ Pacers, Game 4, May 27th 8pm

[K_ick_God]

There was a photoshopped pic of Haliburton doing the choke celebration with a glizzy in his mouth, but I can't find it.

Keep looking

[Clyde_Style]

I re-watched most of the game earlier today. There's something off with Brunson's demeanor. He looks absolutely miserable out there and the defense of the Pacers is demoralizing him. If he can't get it going, then he needs to accept it and move the ball quicker to get the offense flowing and the Pacers on their heels. It's almost like he's hell bent on proving that he's the man even though at times it can be detrimental to the good of the team.

I'm pretty sure he is physically limited at the moment and probably in some kind of pain.

The end of Game 1 when his handle was extra sloppy and he was turning it over and making poor inbounds passes I had chalked up to fatigue as well.

Indiana is primarily keyed on harassing Brunson at or before he reaches mid-court. You can see Brunson giving up the ball earlier after crossing mid-court than he usually does, primarily to reset and have a big hand him back the ball. There is visible frustration showing in those moments.

Indy game planned Brunson well on both ends. If he's physically hampered then he has to recognize his limitations and focus on setting up his teammates even more.

[robillionaire]

I re-watched most of the game earlier today. There's something off with Brunson's demeanor. He looks absolutely miserable out there and the defense of the Pacers is demoralizing him. If he can't get it going, then he needs to accept it and move the ball quicker to get the offense flowing and the Pacers on their heels. It's almost like he's hell bent on proving that he's the man even though at times it can be detrimental to the good of the team.

I noticed the same and I’m not sure what’s going on. He was also frustrated at the refs not giving him calls. I mentioned one play where he tried to get a foul and didn’t get it and went back to half court to argue with the ref off the screen meanwhile we got the offensive rebound and OG made a 3 essentially playing 5 on 4. Then Brunson goes down the other end and picks up his 4th foul and crashes out further. But ultimately we won, so hopefully that will snap him out of the funk.

He didn’t look particularly pleased after the game either

To his credit he came in at the end and made the go ahead bucket when we needed it the most

[cgmw]

I re-watched most of the game earlier today. There's something off with Brunson's demeanor. He looks absolutely miserable out there and the defense of the Pacers is demoralizing him. If he can't get it going, then he needs to accept it and move the ball quicker to get the offense flowing and the Pacers on their heels. It's almost like he's hell bent on proving that he's the man even though at times it can be detrimental to the good of the team.

Yeah, I commented to Mrs. cgmw during the broadcast that it's demoralizing to his teammates when he's completely stoic after making mistakes. It reads as victimization. If I'm Rick, I coach him on body language and showing emotion when things go badly BESIDES b*tching about non-calls.

You can also see it in his body language racking up all these fouls -- he's out of control trying too hard. He's smart enough to understand what a liability he is on defense, but he seems to be struggling to find the right energy level to minimize the problem. He's clearly frustrated, but then again he hit a 9/10 degree of difficulty game-winner, so I'm not complaining just yet.

I'd like to see him make the energetic/body language adjustment moving forward to limit fouls and limit penetration without playing matador D, and to show some g*damn emotion when things go badly BESIDES yapping at the refs on non-calls.

[8516knicks]

thibs will revert back to old short rotation and forget what he did in g3

I hope this a pseudo-Buzz post.

[8516knicks]

I re-watched most of the game earlier today. There's something off with Brunson's demeanor. He looks absolutely miserable out there and the defense of the Pacers is demoralizing him. If he can't get it going, then he needs to accept it and move the ball quicker to get the offense flowing and the Pacers on their heels. It's almost like he's hell bent on proving that he's the man even though at times it can be detrimental to the good of the team.

I'm pretty sure he is physically limited at the moment and probably in some kind of pain.

The end of Game 1 when his handle was extra sloppy and he was turning it over and making poor inbounds passes I had chalked up to fatigue as well.

Indiana is primarily keyed on harassing Brunson at or before he reaches mid-court. You can see Brunson giving up the ball earlier after crossing mid-court than he usually does, primarily to reset and have a big hand him back the ball. There is visible frustration showing in those moments.

Indy game planned Brunson well on both ends. If he's physically hampered then he has to recognize his limitations and focus on setting up his teammates even more.

They basically hit and grab him every game and he's not getting the calls.

[8516knicks]

I re-watched most of the game earlier today. There's something off with Brunson's demeanor. He looks absolutely miserable out there and the defense of the Pacers is demoralizing him. If he can't get it going, then he needs to accept it and move the ball quicker to get the offense flowing and the Pacers on their heels. It's almost like he's hell bent on proving that he's the man even though at times it can be detrimental to the good of the team.

Yeah, I commented to Mrs. cgmw during the broadcast that it's demoralizing to his teammates when he's completely stoic after making mistakes. It reads as victimization. If I'm Rick, I coach him on body language and showing emotion when things go badly BESIDES b*tching about non-calls.

You can also see it in his body language racking up all these fouls -- he's out of control trying too hard. He's smart enough to understand what a liability he is on defense, but he seems to be struggling to find the right energy level to minimize the problem. He's clearly frustrated, but then again he hit a 9/10 degree of difficulty game-winner, so I'm not complaining just yet.

I'd like to see him make the energetic/body language adjustment moving forward to limit fouls and limit penetration without playing matador D, and to show some g*damn emotion when things go badly BESIDES yapping at the refs on non-calls.

He's not that guy who shows fake emotion. He's a get-the-job-done guy. Until the job is done he is pure concentration. Not emotion.

[KnicksGadfly]

Pacers basically lost G3 against the Bucks and Cavs before finishing them off in G4 and G5. We better be prepared.

[Fat]

Just win!

[Strick]

I hope they come out slow after blowing the 20 point lead. Let’s start hot and get this knotted 2-2!

[WaltFrazier]

I think knicks tie it. every game has been close and I think thibs found out some adjustments with the bench is helpful. brunson will distribute the ball more.

I worry that Carlisle will make the adjustments and Thibs won't counter adjust till game 5. Because Thibs doesn't adjust well in-game

[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

[G_K_F]

I hope they come out slow after blowing the 20 point lead. Let’s start hot and get this knotted 2-2!

We haven’t started out hot all season and playoffs.

[robillionaire]

Read on Twitter

He’ll play no question about it

[Chanel Bomber]

I don't think I've fully processed the reality that we're in the Conference Finals.

[Jalen Bluntson]

I re-watched most of the game earlier today. There's something off with Brunson's demeanor. He looks absolutely miserable out there and the defense of the Pacers is demoralizing him. If he can't get it going, then he needs to accept it and move the ball quicker to get the offense flowing and the Pacers on their heels. It's almost like he's hell bent on proving that he's the man even though at times it can be detrimental to the good of the team.

I'm pretty sure he is physically limited at the moment and probably in some kind of pain.

The end of Game 1 when his handle was extra sloppy and he was turning it over and making poor inbounds passes I had chalked up to fatigue as well.

Indiana is primarily keyed on harassing Brunson at or before he reaches mid-court. You can see Brunson giving up the ball earlier after crossing mid-court than he usually does, primarily to reset and have a big hand him back the ball. There is visible frustration showing in those moments.

Indy game planned Brunson well on both ends. If he's physically hampered then he has to recognize his limitations and focus on setting up his teammates even more.

They basically hit and grab him every game and he's not getting the calls.

We need to stop leaving him on an island as they full court press. Been saying it for months. Run it up the court with Mikal or Hart... Whoever. It's annoying.

We also need to apply the same pressure. Stop letting them jog the ball over the half court line. They are a fast paced team. We need to slow them down on offense.

[LFGK]

I think knicks tie it. every game has been close and I think thibs found out some adjustments with the bench is helpful. brunson will distribute the ball more.

I worry that Carlisle will make the adjustments and Thibs won't counter adjust till game 5. Because Thibs doesn't adjust well in-game

What adjustment man all there's left is putting a small guy on towns and that won't work, I'm sick of these pacer MF man

[WaltFrazier]

Read on Twitter

He’ll play no question about it

I was thinking even though he returned in the 4th, the ankle might swell and get worse after the game.

Even if he does play, he'll be hampered in trying to guard JB. Which could be huge because he's their best JB defender. Even though he gets away with a lot of pushing bumping and holding

[Grinditout]

If Brunson don't got it, Deuce has to get more minutes

[TKKnicks1]

If Brunson don't got it, Deuce has to get more minutes

If Brunson doesn't have it against this Pacers defense then what is he gonna have against the Thunder or Wolves defense??