celtxman wrote:cgf wrote:LakersSoul wrote:
Cannot see them beating the Celtics and even the Cavs.
We obviously wouldn’t be favorites, but after that last game I feel vindicated in saying that if our top 7 are healthy we’d have a very real shot at pulling the upset. Especially if Jalen finds his rhythm by round two.
And not facing the Cavs on the second night of a back-to-back will definitely help our chances of not gassing against them…
After the very first game of the season when the Celtics handily beat the Knicks I wrote in this thread "nothing changed last night. The Knicks are legitimate contenders. I do agree that the off season moves have a higher ceiling but a lower floor."
Last year the Celtics beat the Knicks in 4 out of 5 games. By the time the 5th game rolled around, the Celtics had clinched the best record in the NBA. Zero to play for. But we had to endure that because the Celtics played their starters, and the Knicks now have OG, we can erase the first 4 losses and what a 64 win team did and the Knicks can "play with them."
So we come to this year. 4 games between them. The Celtics coast in the first 3. The 4th game again meaningless to the Celtics - their playoff position set in stone. Now the Celtics win - but it was in OT. So that's now like a win for the Knicks?
Sure the Knicks would feel good if their top 7 are healthy. Jaylen Brown missed the 2nd half and OT of that game and Horford missed the game entirely. Is that worth mentioning? Towns had 34 points. In his career Towns averages 7points a game lower when he faces Horford. So are we talking the Knicks healthy and the Celtics not, or both teams healthy? I think there is a tiny bit of evidence of what a healthy Jaylen Brown can do under the bright lights.
The Knicks are clearly in the group below the Cavs, OKC and the Celtics. In my definition the Knicks are capable of winning a championship. I would never take them lightly in a series. But their record against the best teams does not inspire confidence.
People taking too much from a single game is silly no matter which side does it...we could also talk about how that game was our 3rd in 4 nights, it was Brunson's 2nd after his injury, or how Robinson's still getting his conditioning back, so neither team was at 100%. If you go through my posting history you won't see me over-reacting to last season's game either. But the "already clinched" argument rings hollow to me, both teams cared about that game...that's why you have folks in the GDT talking about the game having a playoff atmosphere.
Of course we still lost, but neither team wanted to tip their hand before a potential 2nd round matchup...thus OG not getting the tatum assignment from the start and our simplistic offensive sets...and I don't think it's unreasonable to think that barring new injuries in round 1, we should be even stronger by round two; once Brunson has had time to find his rhythm, Robinson is closer to 100%, and Thibs has had more time to experiment with Towns-Robinson lineups.
Now Horford and Brown getting fit would certainly make you stronger as well, which is why you would be deservedly favored...but if we don't get any new injuries to our top 7, I don't think it would be the forgone conclusion so many expect.
Our record against the top 3 has been a disaster, but two of our games against you were our 3rd game in 4 nights...which won't happen in the playoffs...and this was the first one Robinson played in. Similarly, 3 of our games with cleveland have been on the 2nd night of a back to back, which wouldn't be a problem if we faced them in the playoffs and hurts a team that lacks depth, like us, more...and we didn't have our defensive anchor for the first 3 games with them either.
So we may well finish the season 0-8 against you and cleveland, but if we can escape the Pistons with no new injuries, we should pose a lot more of a challenge in a potential playoff matchup with either of you...even if we'll still be underdogs.
it’s been a fun year so far and there’s no pressure to win it all this year, tough not be enjoying life as a Knicks fan right now. This team has run through 26 of 29 teams when healthy this year and there’s cause for optimism against the 3 who have smacked us around.