thebuzzardman wrote:Guano wrote:We have a dumb team.
I don't like our chances on a b2b without brunson. But not saving mitch for this game was foolish. Another classic example of our coach making it harder than it has to be for our team to win.
I thought that too, but here me out:
Just rest KAT and secure the win the team can win, which is the 76ers. Reduce that magic # for the 4th seed.
Because KAT or no KAT, Mitch or no Mitch, there's ZERO way this Knicks team is beating a rested Cavs team where the Knicks are on the 2nd night of a back to back, and traveling.
Rest Mitch, take the total bitch slap beat down that is coming, and move on to the next winnable game against a team that isn't good.
But you are leaving out something here.
I agree the odds of beating Cleveland without Brunson would have been miniscule regardless. However there is a big difference between losing a game by 5-10 points or suffering through another blowout loss. Basketball in general but also going into the playoffs etc. confidence and belief is absolutely key. Resting both KAT and Mitch would have jeopardized the Sixers win but it would have made for a potentially more competitive Cavs game. Remember we haven't seen Mitch in any of the games against elite competition. If his presence could have made things more competitive then it may have actually provided for a confidence boost---even if they lost a close game against the Cavs. Like "we played them tough without Brunson, with Brunson we actually may have a shot at them."
Thibs is a coach coaching from a point of fear. That's why he rides starters so hard and can't even bring in the bench if the team is up 20points with 3 minutes to go. A winner IMO rolls the dice on the Sixers game and rests Mitch and KAT. If the Knicks can't beat a tanking Philly team without Maxey, George and Embiid then they deserve that loss. A winner rolls the dice on that and tries to give his team the best chance to obtain a good result against Cleveland. That is the MUCH MUCH more important thing going forward than securing the 3rd seed earlier. The Knicks hold the tie-breaker against Indy, meaning that even if Indy went 6-1 the rest of the way, the Knicks would have retained the 3rd seed by going 3-4 the rest of the way.
This game was the last chance at a competitive game (and thus confidence boost) against an elite team. Another potential blowout loss here will be much more detrimental to the team's confidence and spirit going in the playoffs than a loss against the Sixers. And that is leaving out the fact that the Sixers are essentially tanking on purpose. They are currently 5th worst which gives them a good chance at keeping their top 6 protected pick. They do not want to slide back to 6th worst record under any circumstances as that would jeopardize their pick. If there is currently any team with zero interest at winning another game, it is the Sixers. You roll the dice on that game 24/7, any day of the week to give yourself a better chance against Cleveland. To me this is not even a question. Thibs is a loser and he coaches like a loser.
