Moderators: Jamaaliver, dms269, HMFFL
cgf wrote:jayu70 wrote:I think he struck a nerve, but he didn't tell a lie.
What he said:
Pretty sure it was the "McMillan also said on the call that 'there's going to be a lot of calls that probably won't go our way,'" part. Not him saying that you were underdogs in the press...
Was that the Bob Weiss team? That was a good hawks team the Steve Smith Blaylock teamJamaaliver wrote:brigadierjerry wrote:Knicks fan that come in peace I remember I believe last time hawks played knicks in playoffs the hawks were favored as well. I think that was the '99 team.
Jerry,
I remember that series vividly. I was away at college for the first time and talked a ton of trash to all my NY friends about the beatdown my #4 seed Hawks were gonna put on your #8 seeded Knicks.
And the Knicks swept us on their way to the NBA Finals.
Our front office was so distraught after the loss, we blew up the team and didn't taste the postseason for another decade.
TBF, that Knick team had superior talent in Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell and Marcus Camby. IIRC, they were only seeded so lowly after an injury mid-season to Ewing.
I hope to avenge that playoff loss this year. I've been harboring a grudge for the last 22 years.
Sadly, the Knicks have been so awful...it's been pointless to root against them.
(^That's the most trash talk you'll get from me before the series.)
Position by position, which team has the advantage, and how much does that advantage weigh in determining the series? — Will M.
I think it’s too simple to say, “OK, this team has the better point guard, shooting guard and center, while this team has the better power forward and small forward, so the team that has the three-to-two advantage wins.” But let’s breakdown the positions:
Hawks point guards: Trae Young, Lou Williams
Knicks point guards: Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose, Frank Ntilikina
Advantage: Hawks
Young is one of the best players in the league and arguably the best player in the series. That alone gives them the advantage here, but the Knicks do have the better bench at the point guard position with Rose, a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year.
Hawks shooting guards: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kevin Huerter
Knicks shooting guards: Reggie Bullock, Immanuel Quickley
Advantage: Hawks
Bogdanovic turned into one of the NBA’s best shooters in the second half of the season with the Hawks implementing more off-ball movement in their offense. He also has the ability to create for others with the ball in his hands. Bullock shot 40 percent from 3 and is a good defender, so he’s no slouch and will have to be taken seriously as an offensive threat for the Knicks. While Quickley has impressed in his rookie season, I trust Huerter more than him coming off the bench.
Hawks small forwards: De’Andre Hunter, Tony Snell
Knicks small forwards: RJ Barrett, Alec Burks
Advantage: Hawks
If Hunter is fully healthy and playing like he was before he partially tore his meniscus, he could be the player who swings the series completely in favor of the Hawks. That’s how valuable he is. Barrett also showed considerable growth in his sophomore season, shooting 40 percent from 3 and being a solid defender. I do think Burks is a more valuable player than Snell, as Burks has shown the ability to take over for the Knicks in stretches.
Hawks power forwards: John Collins, Danilo Gallinari
Knicks power forwards: Julius Randle, Obi Toppin
Advantage: Knicks
Randle will get some top-five votes for MVP this season. While I don’t think he was one of the five best players, he clearly was one of the top 10/15 players this season and is the biggest reason the Knicks are the No. 4 seed. For that reason alone, the Knicks have to have the advantage here, even though Collins also is having a good season.
Hawks centers: Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu
Knicks centers: Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson
Advantage: Hawks
Capela has completely transformed the Hawks’ defense and almost singlehandedly made them a competent unit on that end of the floor. His defense took a sizable leap from his Houston days, and that trade between the Rockets and Hawks continues to look like one of the most lopsided trades in recent history. Noel has done a good job stepping in for Mitchell Robinson, but he’s nowhere close to being as impactful as Capela. This position is arguably the biggest gap in talent for both teams.
What I will say is just because the Hawks have a 4-1 position advantage, at least in my estimation, that DOES NOT mean the series will be easy. Basketball goes much deeper than one-on-one positional matchups.
The question that all athletes are probably tired of when they've played at the arena many times.jayu70 wrote:?s=20
jayu70 wrote:Mmmmmmmm???
?s=20
