The Knicks… are not too smart

[nykinoz]

The Knicks are the No.2 seed with home court throughout the 1st 2 rounds, it was not a meaningless win. Right now, the belief has to be we can beat any team, anywhere. This team has belief.

[basketballRob]

I want to see the Knicks and 76ers. They both have long winning streaks.

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[PierceFan4ever]

Ducking teams is for losers…

Facts. If you’re scared of an opponent then you won’t win ****.

[durden_tyler]

They aren’t ducking. I can’t criticize them for that. Also standings weren’t set today.

Standings were set since they went to overtime with the Bulls. Nobody told them probably. LOL

Not criticizing their capability (they can beat the Sixers) but i really just feel like the game vs the Pacers would have been easier.

[nykinoz]

If embiid was 100% or even 90-% healthy. Yes. It’s dumb move by knicks.

But embiid is close to 80% healthy and tweaked his knee again. He may not survive a 7 game series vs any team.

Fully expect Bam to go full UFC on Joel.

[bronxknicksfan1]

For one, glad they didn’t duck the smoke. Beat the best to be the best.

Second, last time the Knicks saw Philly with Embiid not playing at 100%…they smacked them by 36. Playoffs are different animal, of course. But if Embiid isn’t playing at 100%, would much rather see them than the Pacers rn.

[rate_]

People said the same in 2021 when the Bucks could have avoided Miami. They swept them and went on to win the title. We'll see how it goes for NY.

That’s not a good example. Heat basically had no offseason leading to that season. And they’ve beaten Bucks 2x in a series (both in 5 games). That 2021 title was more fluky than the bubble season.

[ajones9219]

People writing off Indiana. They are going to beat the Bucks

[whatisacenter]

People writing off Indiana. They are going to beat the Bucks

Agree.

[hardenASG13]

All they had to do was lose that meaningless game vs the Bulls (who really wanted that meaningless win for whatever reason) and get a friendlier draw in the first round.

So rather draw with the Indiana Pacers if they ended up the 3rd seed, they’ll now get the Philadelphia 76ers (who are expected to beat Miami in the playin), the relatively stronger team with Embiid back healthy.

The first route (to the Finals) would have been

Pacers, Bucks/Sixers, Celtics

But now they’ll have to survive

Sixers, Bucks, Celtics.

Obviously, the easier route would have been to settle for the 3rd seed and they had no business actually wanting to win that final game (or nobody told them that the Bucks were losing vs the Magic the same day. LOL)

Discuss. And discuss the importance of playoff positioning.

Sure, you *almost always* play to win blah blah and that if you’re a contender you don’t choose opponents blah blah but that only works if say, you’re a quality team like the Celtics or defending champs Nuggets.

They now have home court in the first and second round if they win a series. I'm sure they intend to win a title, whether that's realistic or not. I agree Philly would be tougher than Indiana, bit they can't worry about who they will play over homecourt until the ECF. Their goal isn't to win one series.

[KnixtapeH20]

smh

[Dubious Handles]

You go for the 2nd seed any time. Its a perfect finish to a great and memorable regular season for the Knicks, im glad they dont have that loser mentality as some people do.

[Calvin Klein]

Good for them for going for the higher seed.

[Exp0sed]

you say that like indiana is an easy out

Indy is going to upset the Bucks imo so they'll have to get thru Indy anyway in the 2nd

but to OP's point - yes, they're not too smart
76ers are the 2nd best team in the East, losing would have sent the 76ers into a matchup with the Bucks, thus making it easier on the Knicks no matter what. now they have to face the 2nd best opponent and they could have easily avoided that (and they should have).

[Wolfgang630]

They truly are dumb. Like Shaq said there’s always strategy in the seedlings when it comes to the end. No one will remember or care about the Knicks being the second seed years from now. They had the ability to play a team they can easily beat in Indiana.

[prophet_of_rage]

It's not like the Pacers are a G league squad. Embiid isn't 100% and in half of his career postseason series he was bad anyway.

So honestly, just answer the question; if you had a choice, would you rather meet the Pacers or Sixers in a best of seven series?

Sixes. They are a half court team. Their Backcourt is small and they don't switch well.

The advantage against the Pacers is Haliburton is still hurt but Siakim will be a matchup nightmare without Julius.

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[GiannisAnte34]

Imagine you're a fan of a team with championship aspirations, and it comes out they were ducking a 7 seed. Actually losing on purpose to avoid them.

Its at that moment you know they aren't winning ****.

didn't everyone on this board claim the Bucks were dodging the year they won?

[dockingsched]

Lots of talk about the Knicks choosing not to duck Miami/Philly, but is there any hard proof they even knew it was an option? I say they didn’t even realize it til I see otherwise

[shi-woo]

There really is no difference between 2-8 right now in the East, all things considered.

Embiid is back, sure but we'll see how long his conditioning can hold up given that he's kind of notorious for gassing. Knicks got HCA, #2 seed, and the moral win of making it to 50 wins. All while being one of the more injured teams all year. I think their fans will take it, whch is what's really important.

I think if you're the Knicks you are playing with house money at this point. You're guys except Randel are able to play, you have multiple big bodies you can throw at Joel, and it's going to be a grit and grind slow it down type of series. Honestly can't wait

I'm curious to see what Maxey and Jalen can do against each other, and what Thibs and Nurse have cooked up. Should be a fun series even if I think Joel gets a 05 Wade type whistle.

[NZB2323]

They aren’t ducking. I can’t criticize them for that. Also standings weren’t set today.

Standings were set since they went to overtime with the Bulls. Nobody told them probably. LOL

Not criticizing their capability (they can beat the Sixers) but i really just feel like the game vs the Pacers would have been easier.

It’s not good karma/attitude/leadership to throw a game because you’re afraid of a matchup.