2025 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #3 New York Knicks vs #4 Indiana Pacers (IND leads 3-1)

[bronxknicksfan1]

Just looking for people's opinions. How does each team look if they replaced their point guards with each other?

Pacers get far worst, and the Knicks are the favorites to win it all IMO. Haliburton is super underrated.

Bad take.

Hali would look awful on a team like this if he’s coached by Thibs. Carlisle would make it work with Brunson the same way he did back in Dallas.

Thibs isn't holding Brunson back. Brunson literally played for Carlisle. He was always a ball stopper. That's not to say he's a bad player. It's just his play style.

Haliburton wouldn't stop playmaking just because he's being coached by Thibs. Thibs' offences haven't traditionally been very dynamic, but he's also never coached a player like Hali.

Yes, Brunson played for Carlisle. And they did very well keeping that Dallas team afloat whenever Luka was out. But that’s not the point. On this current Knicks roster, I’m sure Carlisle would be able to maximize everyone, not just Brunson.

In turn, I doubt Thibs would be able to maximize a player like Hali. A lot of Thibs current offensive scheme relies on Brunson being able to score in isolation. Brunson isn’t the passer Hali is, but Hali would not be used the way Carlisle uses him now if the roles were switched.

[Capn'O]

Carlisle's approach to Brunson reminds me of what Larry Brown did against the Lakers and specifically Kobe in 2004. Basically swarm his dribble and cut his passing lanes but keep him in single coverage once he starts to go ISO. It's both sound tactical strategy and mental strategy because it pits Brunson against his teammates. He's also made some snide comments about our personnel decisions to try to get into our heads. Not complaining. I acknowledge and respect the strategy. He's clearly winning the coaching matchup and his understanding of the mental side is a big part of that.

Brunson's assists are way down from the Boston series and his turnovers are way up. Boston kept him in single coverage much more until he went iso. They trusted their defenders and kept him to a low percentage. Nobody was talking all this **** about Brunson in that series, nor Detroit.

[Tacoma]

Wow, I'd never heard this. That's very sad, they're horrible people everywhere. Makes me ever happier for Paskal, not just the basketball player, the person.

If this is regarding the TNT interview, then I disagree Siakam was talking about racism. The question Ernie asked was tying in to his present experience to 84 playoff games and getting a ring in Toronto, to which Siakam responded "I'm so blessed to be in this position [playoffs]" and then following with "I've seen some dark times" he's referring to the recent dark times of not making the playoffs and tanking in Toronto.

It makes no sense to answer that question by talking about a racism incident incited by a few stupid alleged Raptors fans that happened years ago.

Bro, again you are minimalizing it. It wasn't a few. It was A LOT. Everyone's memory is short when it's something embarrassing.

This had started by a few people who put something up on change.org signed by 16 people that was quickly removed. This caught eye of a reporter Faiza Amin who tweeted slamming this petition. I live in Toronto, my memory is fine and I don't agree it grew as big as you claim, at least not with the general public at large.

This is the wrong thread and wrong forum to be talking about this so agree to disagree & leave it at that. But, I repeat, Siakam was referring about "dark times" of not being in the playoffs with the Raptors, which is a direct answer to Ernie's question about his 84 playoff games. Bringing racism into this would be totally out of context to answer that question.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

NY created a team to beat Boston, so mission accomplished?

[Capn'O]

NY created a team to beat Boston, so mission accomplished?

That mission was accomplished

[JulesWinnfield]

If Towns is good to go health wise in game 5, I’m still not ready to throw in the towel. I think the Knicks will win game 5. Then it comes down to game 6 and whether or not the Knicks can force a game 7 at msg by winning on the road. I realize this has nothing to do with 2025, but I’ve personally witnessed the Knicks win a game 6 on the road at Indy while facing elimination twice already in my life (94,95). Like the exact same identical situation in the same city, down 3-2 and have to get the game on the road. And they’ve already won there in this series 3 days ago so I don’t need to go back 30 years

It’s not at all likely. But I don’t think this is over. The Knicks were unlikely to ever win both games 3 and 4. To me the more realistic blueprint was always win one of those games (which they did) and then protect home court in game 5 and hope you can get game 6 on the road to put yourself back in an advantageous position

The most likely outcome right now is Pacers in 6. But I don’t think it’s at all a lock

[ArksNetsSince99]

If Towns is good to go health wise in game 5, I’m still not ready to throw in the towel. I think the Knicks will win game 5. Then it comes down to game 6 and whether or not the Knicks can force a game 7 at msg by winning on the road. I realize this has nothing to do with 2025, but I’ve personally witnessed the Knicks win a game 6 on the road at Indy while facing elimination twice already in my life (94,95). Like the exact same identical situation in the same city, down 3-2 and have to get the game on the road. And they’ve already won there in this series 3 days ago so I don’t need to go back 30 years

It’s not at all likely. But I don’t think this is over. The Knicks were unlikely to ever win both games 3 and 4. To me the more realistic blueprint was always win one of those games (which they did) and then protect home court in game 5 and hope you can get game 6 on the road to put yourself back in an advantageous position

The most likely outcome right now is Pacers in 6. But I don’t think it’s at all a lock

It’s OVER , stop dreaming

Pacers have better talent, momentum, head coach

Hali is THAT guy

[Karate Diop]

It's funny the hurdles people want to jump through to defend Brunson when the flaws we're seeing are the same ones objective fans have always called out... Man's is a worse defender than Trae.

[bronxknicksfan1]

It's funny the hurdles people want to jump through to defend Brunson when the flaws we're seeing are the same ones objective fans have always called out... Man's is a worse defender than Trae.

You’re not objective at all

Brunson isn’t the reason we’re down 3-1.

[Capn'O]

It's funny the hurdles people want to jump through to defend Brunson when the flaws we're seeing are the same ones objective fans have always called out... Man's is a worse defender than Trae.

You’re not objective at all

Brunson isn’t the reason we’re down 3-1.

Objective fans:

Spoiler:

[ArksNetsSince99]

It's funny the hurdles people want to jump through to defend Brunson when the flaws we're seeing are the same ones objective fans have always called out... Man's is a worse defender than Trae.

You’re not objective at all

Brunson isn’t the reason we’re down 3-1.

Two biggest NY runs was when Brunson was off the court , coincidence ?

Plus several small runs , it came to the point when Brun is playing Pacers are safe

[California Gold]

Yeah like "If only they were a super team!" They traded to get OG, traded to get Kat, then traded to get Bridges, that's a lot of draft picks going out.

The ceiling for this roster was always ECF at best. You're not winning a title with Brunson as your #1 option.

Well I'm not a Knicks fan so I'm not trying to do that.

I'm a Pacers fan dating back to the 1960's and the ABA. This team is talented and deep, very deep!!

I was stating that in general, not meant to be at you.

[California Gold]

NY created a team to beat Boston, so mission accomplished?

Even that was tainted because Boston really beat themselves in that series.

[gp2015]

Best Pacers player: Hali or Pascal?

Pascal is arguably the best second-best-player-on-the-team in the NBA, which sounds odd with the reputation of the Pacers' lack of talent, but I'm not sure you take him over anyone for the role. Some players (KAT) have a higher ceiling, but he just fits this team like a glove. 10/10 trade

Hali's ceiling is MVP candidate and a point guard up there with Magic and Jokic. It's a long road to get there but he is a special special talent.

One more and we're in the finals!!!!!!!!!!!

Most Raptor fans felt the same about Pascal. He's the perfect #2 option. He proved it while playing next to Kawhi and winning the championship.

He's not a #1 option and unfortunately, we could never find the superstar that he needed after Kawhi left.

I'm not entirely convinced yet that Hali can become that superstar yet. He needs to be more consistent and improve his game another level or two. He does look like he can be special for periods of time though. The great thing is that you guys might not even need him to be that superstar because the offense is so good.

Glad he is thriving on the Pacers though and showing everyone how good he is in the right situation.

[bronxknicksfan1]

It's funny the hurdles people want to jump through to defend Brunson when the flaws we're seeing are the same ones objective fans have always called out... Man's is a worse defender than Trae.

You’re not objective at all

Brunson isn’t the reason we’re down 3-1.

Two biggest NY runs was when Brunson was off the court , coincidence ?

Plus several small runs , it came to the point when Brun is playing Pacers are safe

It’s much more than Brunson’s issues defensively on why we’re losing. But I wouldn’t expect 2 Nets fans to objectively understand that.

[bronxknicksfan1]

The ceiling for this roster was always ECF at best. You're not winning a title with Brunson as your #1 option.

Well I'm not a Knicks fan so I'm not trying to do that.

I'm a Pacers fan dating back to the 1960's and the ABA. This team is talented and deep, very deep!!

I was stating that in general, not meant to be at you.

It’s lazy analysis on your end if you genuinely believe a player averaging 33 on 62% TS can’t be the #1 option on a championship team.

[California Gold]

Well I'm not a Knicks fan so I'm not trying to do that.

I'm a Pacers fan dating back to the 1960's and the ABA. This team is talented and deep, very deep!!

I was stating that in general, not meant to be at you.

It’s lazy analysis on your end if you genuinely believe a player averaging 33 on 62% TS can’t be the #1 option on a championship team.

Lets see who turns out to be right the next few years.

[Mamba81p]

Well I'm not a Knicks fan so I'm not trying to do that.

I'm a Pacers fan dating back to the 1960's and the ABA. This team is talented and deep, very deep!!

I was stating that in general, not meant to be at you.

It’s lazy analysis on your end if you genuinely believe a player averaging 33 on 62% TS can’t be the #1 option on a championship team.

When that player leads the league in playoffs in dribbles/touch, sec/touch in the last 3 postseasons while being having the defensive issues that he has, I don’t think a player like that can be a #1 player on a championship team. I only count qualified players not players who played 1 or 2 games
He is beating guys like Luka and harden easily in those stats, and that should scream that something has to change in his game

[bronxknicksfan1]

I was stating that in general, not meant to be at you.

It’s lazy analysis on your end if you genuinely believe a player averaging 33 on 62% TS can’t be the #1 option on a championship team.

When that player leads the league in playoffs in dribbles/touch, sec/touch in the last 3 postseasons while being having the defensive issues that he has, I don’t think a player like that can be a #1 player on a championship team. I only count qualified players not players who played 1 or 2 games
He is beating guys like Luka and harden easily in those stats, and that should scream that something has to change in his game

It’d be an issue if that player wasn’t efficient, but he’s averaging 30 on 57.5% TS throughout the playoffs. You’re not finding many #1 options that can produce at that level. If you’re building around a player like that, you find a way to cover his weaknesses.

It doesn’t help that Thibs doesn’t use the talent on the roster to cover those weaknesses, but that’s a different discussion.

[___Rand___]

If this is regarding the TNT interview, then I disagree Siakam was talking about racism. The question Ernie asked was tying in to his present experience to 84 playoff games and getting a ring in Toronto, to which Siakam responded "I'm so blessed to be in this position [playoffs]" and then following with "I've seen some dark times" he's referring to the recent dark times of not making the playoffs and tanking in Toronto.

It makes no sense to answer that question by talking about a racism incident incited by a few stupid alleged Raptors fans that happened years ago.

Bro, again you are minimalizing it. It wasn't a few. It was A LOT. Everyone's memory is short when it's something embarrassing.

This had started by a few people who put something up on change.org signed by 16 people that was quickly removed. This caught eye of a reporter Faiza Amin who tweeted slamming this petition. I live in Toronto, my memory is fine and I don't agree it grew as big as you claim, at least not with the general public at large.

This is the wrong thread and wrong forum to be talking about this so agree to disagree & leave it at that. But, I repeat, Siakam was referring about "dark times" of not being in the playoffs with the Raptors, which is a direct answer to Ernie's question about his 84 playoff games. Bringing racism into this would be totally out of context to answer that question.

You mean the general public who could hardly cared about basketball till we won a chip? You weren't on the boards defending Pascal. Heck there weren't many at all and I was one of only a handful of people. I never saw your handle anywhere. That's what's shameful.