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

[Jalen Bluntson]

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??

One team at a time. All this Brunson talk is crazy to me. He runs what the coach wants. He's one of the best PGs in the league. Teams know he's the head of the snake. He figures it out when it counts.

Thibs needs to change the attack. Let others move the ball up the court. Get players moving with a purpose. Standing around waiting for Brunson to fight his way up the floor and waiting for him to break down the defense is just insane.

I'm excited to be back in it. Knicks in six!! Hopefully Thibs sees what's working on the tape and adjusts.

[8516knicks]

I have no f*ckIn* idea what to expect next game. We have been all over the place this Playoffs. But we've never had a start-to-finish blow-out win. So, here's hoping. We go back to MSG 2-2, gotta like our chances for the final.

[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.

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.

Mrs. Cgmw said she same thing and said that his teammates know who he is. I still think when he has 2 careless huge turnovers he needs to show his teammates that he’s not OK with it. As a leader he can’t be out here introverting, especially when he’s asked to do so much 1-on-1. It can read as pouting and demoralize teammates/fans/arenas. I’d like to see him yell at himself when he F’s up or… you know, when he takes a terrible shot to end the game.

[8516knicks]

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.

Mrs. Cgmw said she same thing and said that his teammates know who he is. I still think when he has 2 careless huge turnovers he needs to show his teammates that he’s not OK with it. As a leader he can’t be out here introverting, especially when he’s asked to do so much 1-on-1. It can read as pouting and demoralize teammates/fans/arenas. I’d like to see him yell at himself when he F’s up or… you know, when he takes a terrible shot to end the game.

I guess I trust his teammates know that already. I mean certainly Josh and Mikal do and they probably told anyone else who was wondering what's up with JB if they couldn't guess it already. This is a guy who is SO SERIOUS and HIS DAD IS A COACH that molded him from like 3 yrs or earlier. I figure ALL his teammates know this without him "acting out."

[Besart19]

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.

Rolled his ankles multiple times in Game 5 vs the Cs

[TheGreenArrow]

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

We gotta win game 4 for me to truly believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Calinks]

KAT wow

KAT is a 5. A bad defensive 5 but he’s not a 4. He’s at his best with spacing and at the 5. The moment we went back to that and benched Robinson that’s when we got back into this. Let’s keep rolling
DENVER NUGGETS

100 percent. Not saying you can't play a 5 next to him at times, he can make it work, but you kill his offense when you do that. KAT at 75 percent offense is still a good player, he can get you 18 and 12 but if you want him to be a major weapons he needs touches and he needs to be at the 5. The real adjustment should be trying to find a defense he can play best, he will never be elite but he can be better than absolute trash. KAT likes to play up on other bigs, he likes to be physical, drop is never the answer with him, he needs to be able to move and hopefully guard other bigs.

I always felt the real key to having a great KAT team was finding a very good defensive 4 who is agile. Not an easy find but if you could get someone like that, it would be a great compliment. Thinking a KG type. Big, strong defensive presence but quick enough to let KAT do his thing at the 5. Maybe someone like Jaren Jackson Jr. I think Kyle Anderson was a solid guy next to him too, Kylie just wasn't the best shooter.

[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.

Rolled his ankles multiple times in Game 5 vs the Cs

He may be at 50%. That's still better than many players on offense, but he looks like he has stretches where he can't push off like he normally does.

[Strick]

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.

Statically speaking we have to be due for a hot start soon

[cgmw]

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.

Mrs. Cgmw said she same thing and said that his teammates know who he is. I still think when he has 2 careless huge turnovers he needs to show his teammates that he’s not OK with it. As a leader he can’t be out here introverting, especially when he’s asked to do so much 1-on-1. It can read as pouting and demoralize teammates/fans/arenas. I’d like to see him yell at himself when he F’s up or… you know, when he takes a terrible shot to end the game.

I guess I trust his teammates know that already. I mean certainly Josh and Mikal do and they probably told anyone else who was wondering what's up with JB if they couldn't guess it already. This is a guy who is SO SERIOUS and HIS DAD IS A COACH that molded him from like 3 yrs or earlier. I figure ALL his teammates know this without him "acting out."

You’re probably right, and like I said I’m cool with as long as he keeps draining game winners. Still, it’s weird AF that he makes huge mistakes and keeps a stoic face about it. His energy on defense is off rn and we can’t afford have him being a -12 in limited minutes again.

Nobody loves Brunson more than me, but he’s got to find a way to limit his liabilities on defense and I wonder if showing some emotion wouldn’t help.

[KnicksGadfly]

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??

One team at a time. All this Brunson talk is crazy to me. He runs what the coach wants. He's one of the best PGs in the league. Teams know he's the head of the snake. He figures it out when it counts.

Thibs needs to change the attack. Let others move the ball up the court. Get players moving with a purpose. Standing around waiting for Brunson to fight his way up the floor and waiting for him to break down the defense is just insane.

I'm excited to be back in it. Knicks in six!! Hopefully Thibs sees what's working on the tape and adjusts.

I think it might shock some people to know that Brunson is averaging 34 ppg against the Pacers on 23 shots, and that's after his bad game yesterday...he'll be fine. Pacers legit cannot guard him...he's getting 10 free throws a game against them.

The two big concerns for me are the turnovers and foul trouble. He needs to take care of the ball better because the Pacers are way better at transition than we are. Foul trouble...he needs to be smarter too.

[Jalen Bluntson]

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

One team at a time. All this Brunson talk is crazy to me. He runs what the coach wants. He's one of the best PGs in the league. Teams know he's the head of the snake. He figures it out when it counts.

Thibs needs to change the attack. Let others move the ball up the court. Get players moving with a purpose. Standing around waiting for Brunson to fight his way up the floor and waiting for him to break down the defense is just insane.

I'm excited to be back in it. Knicks in six!! Hopefully Thibs sees what's working on the tape and adjusts.

I think it might shock some people to know that Brunson is averaging 34 ppg against the Pacers on 23 shots, and that's after his bad game yesterday...he'll be fine. Pacers legit cannot guard him...he's getting 10 free throws a game against them.

The two big concerns for me are the turnovers and foul trouble. He needs to take care of the ball better because the Pacers are way better at transition than we are. Foul trouble...he needs to be smarter too.

Yeah. He hasn't been perfect but, we're back in it now. I can't tell you what to expect from who next game but, we have life.

[Strick]

Read on Twitter

Carlisle is shameless

[KnicksGadfly]

Read on Twitter

Carlisle is shameless

Learned this last year when he started complaining about small market disrespect or some bs like that

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Take their heart tomorrow, blow them out on their home floor.

[dakomish23]

KAT averaged 30/12 on 50/40/90 against IND in the regular season

KAT is averaging 26/11 on 52/45/87 this series

IND has absolutely zero answers for KAT. He’s too fast for Turner and he’s too big for Siakam.

Feed the lion and ride him to victory you **** nitwits.

[8516knicks]

Mrs. Cgmw said she same thing and said that his teammates know who he is. I still think when he has 2 careless huge turnovers he needs to show his teammates that he’s not OK with it. As a leader he can’t be out here introverting, especially when he’s asked to do so much 1-on-1. It can read as pouting and demoralize teammates/fans/arenas. I’d like to see him yell at himself when he F’s up or… you know, when he takes a terrible shot to end the game.

I guess I trust his teammates know that already. I mean certainly Josh and Mikal do and they probably told anyone else who was wondering what's up with JB if they couldn't guess it already. This is a guy who is SO SERIOUS and HIS DAD IS A COACH that molded him from like 3 yrs or earlier. I figure ALL his teammates know this without him "acting out."

You’re probably right, and like I said I’m cool with as long as he keeps draining game winners. Still, it’s weird AF that he makes huge mistakes and keeps a stoic face about it. His energy on defense is off rn and we can’t afford have him being a -12 in limited minutes again.

Nobody loves Brunson more than me, but he’s got to find a way to limit his liabilities on defense and I wonder if showing some emotion wouldn’t help.

Probably something he learned from his dad so unlikely it changes.

[Fat Kat]

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[Fat Kat]

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[nykballa2k4]

KAT averaged 30/12 on 50/40/90 against IND in the regular season

KAT is averaging 26/11 on 52/45/87 this series

IND has absolutely zero answers for KAT. He’s too fast for Turner and he’s too big for Siakam.

Feed the lion and ride him to victory you **** nitwits.

Two things I was on before the series was 1) Pacers don't have a true "head of the snake" to cut off, so they present a different challenge than Pistsons(Cade) and Celtics(Tatum). 2) This is a KAT series. (I know, I am really out on a limb here).

I need a KAT 50 burger in game 4. The only answer they have for him wears white and black.

We should be running the offense, particularly early, off KAT. This is a Shaq-Kobe situation. Let KAT break the defense, then Brunson will be able to go wild. If Mikal wants to be Ron Harper, then I am all for that.