Game 5 PG Thread: Gut Check

[j4remi]

Read on Twitter

Another great writeup. I'm glad you saw fit to give Brun a 5/5 - I was worried that 40 points is now seen as the "average" game for him. We can't forget that he was "never" going to be able to score a lot in the playoffs like in the regular season. This is really awesome, given all the other things he did to keep us scoring and defending.

I disagree with you about Divo only in that I thought he accomplished something more important than scoring -- he seriously stood up to a make believe tough guy and, I think, made an indelible impression that will last for the series.

Also want to join the chorus praising Thibs for making the changes many on this board were calling for in the starting lineup. It worked well, and I don't see Indy as having a good answer for this.

All in all, this was our first huge, blowout win and one that I feel is representative of our team's play. It was a magical night -- I mean, how TF else could Burks be doing so well?

I appreciate it fam!

I took a second to think about Brunson getting a 4.5 since I keep giving him 5's, but he's just making the spectacular feel like the norm lately. 40 points plus 7 assists on good efficiency is undeniable.

I liked DiVo refusing to back down, and I think his defensive and tertiary playmaking were good enough to rate him positively. But that 4/14 and 0/6 from three definitely made me dock him. The way he stepped to players definitely felt like it gave the Knicks a bit of added edge that I hope carries into Indiana.

I really think Thibodeau's job this season has been the best of his career. His adjustments are a beat faster, and he dispelled any worries that he wouldn't play small ball if it worked. I don't want the kind of players that are afraid to play for Thibs.

[dakomish23]

Some game 5 stats

Points in the paint
Knicks 62 (Brunson 26)
Pacers 36

Rebounds
Knicks 53 (Hartenstein & Hart combined for 28)
Pacers 29

2nd chance points
Knicks 27
Pacer 9 (Siakam 7)

That's the ball game. Yes Brunson was unstoppable. Yes Pacers turnovers did lead to 24 points for the Knicks (Pacers had 18 off Knicks turnovers). But this is where they got creamed when it mattered.

Pacers shot 47% from the field (18-38) 60% from 3 (6-10) and 100% from the line (12-12) in the first half. You could not realistically ask for better shot making. Stillthey were down 15. Points off turnovers was Knicks 14 Pacers 13. Pacers hit the same amount of 3's as the Knicks and shot double the free throws.

But their inability to complete defensive possessions absolutely killed them. You have to gang rebound vs the Knicks b/c they will gang rebound vs you.

[Im Coming Home]

You're so cringe bruh

You think you're a better fan because you act like a blind homer and act like the Knicks are gonna go undefeated and win the chip?

I did an anti-jinx against the Sixers game 6, it worked, did it for game 5 now, and it worked.
Gotta balance out all the overconfident Knicks fans that kept saying Knicks in 4, then 5, then 6, etc lol who are jinxing the hell out of us.

with all do respect family...drop the beef and just enjoy this run...we've been suffering for decades...we didnt suffer for decades
to be at eachothers necks to be right and judgmental
I'm saying this with love and respect...

I just don't like when people try to gatekeep fandom and try to tell people how they should cheer or support a team. It comes off like they think they're better than you, they're on their high horse, etc. Just cringey.

[Context]

watch till the end if you want to see Big Perk embraced after the game

Watch on YouTube

[Context]

You're so cringe bruh

You think you're a better fan because you act like a blind homer and act like the Knicks are gonna go undefeated and win the chip?

I did an anti-jinx against the Sixers game 6, it worked, did it for game 5 now, and it worked.
Gotta balance out all the overconfident Knicks fans that kept saying Knicks in 4, then 5, then 6, etc lol who are jinxing the hell out of us.

with all do respect family...drop the beef and just enjoy this run...we've been suffering for decades...we didnt suffer for decades
to be at eachothers necks to be right and judgmental
I'm saying this with love and respect...

I just don't like when people try to gatekeep fandom and try to tell people how they should cheer or support a team. It comes off like they think they're better than you, they're on their high horse, etc. Just cringey.

Frozen its a two way street...kiss and make up bro
Knick family- end all beefs asap. We need to stick together and enjoy this run..I'm working on ending all beefs on this board...Just got two more posters to connect with

[rajajackal]

You're so cringe bruh

You think you're a better fan because you act like a blind homer and act like the Knicks are gonna go undefeated and win the chip?

I did an anti-jinx against the Sixers game 6, it worked, did it for game 5 now, and it worked.
Gotta balance out all the overconfident Knicks fans that kept saying Knicks in 4, then 5, then 6, etc lol who are jinxing the hell out of us.

with all do respect family...drop the beef and just enjoy this run...we've been suffering for decades...we didnt suffer for decades
to be at eachothers necks to be right and judgmental
I'm saying this with love and respect...

I just don't like when people try to gatekeep fandom and try to tell people how they should cheer or support a team. It comes off like they think they're better than you, they're on their high horse, etc. Just cringey.

just saying, closeout game 6 @ sixers and the first 2 games of the pacers series also happened to be rajajackal threads...i wonder who jinxed og tho. that's the real villain

[sol537]

There's no such things as jinxes. What's meant to happen... will happen. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

[MrDollarBills]

I'm very skeptical that there is another team that is going to offer him significantly more than what we will. The general NBA doesn't value the C position like we do.

I don't put it past a rival GM but I didn't realize the team was capped on what they can offer him. Crap hopefully he does the Knicks a solid for more guaranteed years?

Yeah, it's too bad. That was my reservation on getting him on a 2-year instead of a 3-year but he may not have been willing to agree to a 3-year. His current contract is VERY favorable.

I'm not sure what the landscape is around the league is in terms of who needs a starting C but I expect there to be some interest. It's a tough situation but hopefully he takes 74m over 4. Not having to uproot his family, a winning situation, and a great market hopefully can be more appealing than taking 20m per from some bum ass team but I don't wanna get hopes up.

[NYKinMIA]

Read on Twitter

If Burks does nothing else for me he did me justice with this move...

look again, that's iHarts hand/arm.

[GONYK]

I don't put it past a rival GM but I didn't realize the team was capped on what they can offer him. Crap hopefully he does the Knicks a solid for more guaranteed years?

Yeah, it's too bad. That was my reservation on getting him on a 2-year instead of a 3-year but he may not have been willing to agree to a 3-year. His current contract is VERY favorable.

I'm not sure what the landscape is around the league is in terms of who needs a starting C but I expect there to be some interest. It's a tough situation but hopefully he takes 74m over 4. Not having to uproot his family, a winning situation, and a great market hopefully can be more appealing than taking 20m per from some bum ass team but I don't wanna get hopes up.

The only teams with projected space are:
Philly
Detroit
Toronto
Orlando
Utah
San Antonio

I can't see all of those teams being interested, and I can't see iHart leaving NY for lotto teams over $3M/yr

[MrDollarBills]

watch till the end if you want to see Big Perk embraced after the game

Watch on YouTube

Big Perk saw the potential in this group early and put his money where his mouth is while Stephen A was MIA (pun intended). I like the Big Body Brunson name too

On a side note, Andraya Carter is fantastic analyst and I'm glad that ESPN has her covering NBA content now because unlike some other talking heads in the industry she actually watches the damn games. It kills me to watch NBA countdown and all 4 of the talking heads aren't even basketball players, at least Andraya used to hoop (as well as Chiney).

[Im Coming Home]

Read on Twitter

If Burks does nothing else for me he did me justice with this move...

look again, that's iHarts hand/arm.

damn and Burks got a tech for that? I thought it was cause he did that.. wtf did he get a tech for then..

[Capn'O]

Yeah, it's too bad. That was my reservation on getting him on a 2-year instead of a 3-year but he may not have been willing to agree to a 3-year. His current contract is VERY favorable.

I'm not sure what the landscape is around the league is in terms of who needs a starting C but I expect there to be some interest. It's a tough situation but hopefully he takes 74m over 4. Not having to uproot his family, a winning situation, and a great market hopefully can be more appealing than taking 20m per from some bum ass team but I don't wanna get hopes up.

The only teams with projected space are:
Philly
Detroit
Toronto
Orlando
Utah
San Antonio

I can't see all of those teams being interested, and I can't see iHart leaving NY for lotto teams over $3M/yr

Orlando and Utah would be the biggest threats.

[Context]

Read on Twitter

[MrDollarBills]

Yeah, it's too bad. That was my reservation on getting him on a 2-year instead of a 3-year but he may not have been willing to agree to a 3-year. His current contract is VERY favorable.

I'm not sure what the landscape is around the league is in terms of who needs a starting C but I expect there to be some interest. It's a tough situation but hopefully he takes 74m over 4. Not having to uproot his family, a winning situation, and a great market hopefully can be more appealing than taking 20m per from some bum ass team but I don't wanna get hopes up.

The only teams with projected space are:
Philly
Detroit
Toronto
Orlando
Utah
San Antonio

I can't see all of those teams being interested, and I can't see iHart leaving NY for lotto teams over $3M/yr

Thanks.

So, I think the Spurs are going to keep Wemby at C.

Hartenstein is a proud Black man, so Utah is a no.

Orlando...eh. I don't see the fit. I wouldn't leave NY for Orlando over 3mil

Philly is saving their powder for a 3rd all star (gotta watch out for them this offseason...they're not gonna go away quietly).

Detroit has that Stewart kid I think. Plus, it's a bad situation.

Toronto could be a possibility but a rebuilding team probably will want to absorb salary for picks instead of paying out for a C. I read Clint Capella might be on the move.

So maybe my fears are unfounded

[aggo]

remember:

some of us know ball.

its not about defense.

its about offense.

its about making them inbound the ball. thats how you defend the pacers, by scoring.

Haliburton said it himself @ 5:36

Watch on YouTube

&t=336s

[MrDollarBills]

Some game 5 stats

Points in the paint
Knicks 62 (Brunson 26)
Pacers 36

Rebounds
Knicks 53 (Hartenstein & Hart combined for 28)
Pacers 29

2nd chance points
Knicks 27
Pacer 9 (Siakam 7)

That's the ball game. Yes Brunson was unstoppable. Yes Pacers turnovers did lead to 24 points for the Knicks (Pacers had 18 off Knicks turnovers). But this is where they got creamed when it mattered.

Pacers shot 47% from the field (18-38) 60% from 3 (6-10) and 100% from the line (12-12) in the first half. You could not realistically ask for better shot making. Stillthey were down 15. Points off turnovers was Knicks 14 Pacers 13. Pacers hit the same amount of 3's as the Knicks and shot double the free throws.

But their inability to complete defensive possessions absolutely killed them. You have to gang rebound vs the Knicks b/c they will gang rebound vs you.

The relentless paint attacks made a massive difference from Game 4. They had no answers.

Deuce's energy on both ends gave the team new life. Crazy to think that this is the same team that looked tired af on Sunday.

[Context]

I'll allow it as Cap would say...

Watch on YouTube

[MrDollarBills]

remember:

some of us know ball.

its not about defense.

its about offense.

its about making them inbound the ball. thats how you defend the pacers, by scoring.

Haliburton said it himself @ 5:36

Watch on YouTube

&t=336s

He is the weak link.

Attack him and he will fold. I would have him on an island Friday night and dare the Pacers to help.

[stuporman]

As a Knick...He's going to be the greatest Knick IMO when its all said and done but its too early to official crown him Stu...

I think he's just talking about the playoff scoring, which he can do it within reason barring any catastrophic happening, not in legendary stature, which would take him helping the Knicks to a title to reach the levels of the players from the chip teams.

Got you bro...Just to be clear because I want to make sure you know this...I havent watch Knick games before last december since MItch's draft year. This year is my first year watching Brunson...In december when I started watching again and I figured out that he
was Rick's son...I proclaimed him the choosen one. Brunson will go down as the greatest Knick in the end and he will bring us our first chip in 50+ years. I also believe he will continue to get better -year after year. He was around Ewing, Sprewell, Houston, guys in Chicago, etc when he could barely walk. The phrase "built for this" is was Brunson embodies...

Best of all Stu- we got him!

The legendary Knick aspect aside because that really is subjective and many already have him in that category regardless of where they have him ranked, which that is subjective as well.

Just as far as scoring in a playoffs year if Brunson gets an average of 30ppg for 6 more games he passes the Knicks all time record. He's already scoring 32ppg over 11 games.

He's guaranteed at least two more games if the Knicks actually lose this series and at a minimum of 5 games if the Knicks win this series and get swept by Boston.

So it's reasonable to conclude that Brunson is within range of getting close to the all time record even if they only make it to the ECF and he keeps his current scoring pace.

Again, that's just the scoring record and if he gets that record many would rank him pretty high in legendary Knick status, too, even without a title if they don't already.