PG: Knicks vs Indy: Game 1 ECF

[spree8]

They weren’t tired. Brunson was sitting on the bench for the longest time, probably the longest he got to rest all season long. Then came in and played awful. If anything he probably sat on the bench too long.

It’s the type of fatigue that isn’t cured by a few mins of rest… or even 4 days off.

What?

Even you know this sounds ridiculous

How have you never heard of progressive fatigue?

[Galvationknicks]

Woke up this morning still pissed off. We basically gifted the Pacers game 1. Wasted a game where the Knicks should have won and now game 2 essentially becomes a do or die game.

At least it’s an 8pm tip, but Fridays and weekends are always bad games for the Knicks at home because IMO (and 40 years experience) people bring their kids. The energy is different and it gets harder to execute down the stretch, while the opponent is still just amped to be playing anywhere except their bumbled*ck home arena. It’s a real liability.

Family not bringing their kids unless they're rich. These tickets are insane

[The KnicksFix]

Woke up this morning still pissed off. We basically gifted the Pacers game 1. Wasted a game where the Knicks should have won and now game 2 essentially becomes a do or die game.

At least it’s an 8pm tip, but Fridays and weekends are always bad games for the Knicks at home because IMO (and 40 years experience) people bring their kids. The energy is different and it gets harder to execute down the stretch, while the opponent is still just amped to be playing anywhere except their bumbled*ck home arena. It’s a real liability.

I’m actually MORE confident now than game 1
I might be crazy in some way, but the starters came out and let them shoot 8/8 to start. Our defense wasn’t there to start. I expect them to be better and crack the code as you say. You could see it happening slowly as this game progressed.

[Context]

The Knicks are going to murder these guys for two or three straight games

I will agree with this is OG is healthy.
If I'm pissed about the game they have to be. They will also look at film and that should have them super focused Knicksfix.

The post game press conference by OG
Something looked off. He looked angry. He looked annoyed
Brunson and KAT were pissed. KAT didn’t crack a smile. He normally does. Even in losses. These guys are pissed and the loss will fuel them to refocus

I no doubt of their ability to win 4 straight. I just wonder...We were up 9 points with 54 seconds. We had some questionable refs calls after that.
We will have to make sure we keep the game out of the reach for the refs. The league NEEDS a long series.
If you think about it. There has never been a team in nba history to blow a lead like that. Everyone will be tuning in to see the next game.

[Stannis]

They weren’t tired. Brunson was sitting on the bench for the longest time, probably the longest he got to rest all season long. Then came in and played awful. If anything he probably sat on the bench too long.

Yeah, I think this was the actual issue. Should have just put Brunson back in the game sooner since that is what he is accustomed to.

I don't know any coach out there who just wouldn't play their best player.

[cgmw]

Woke up this morning still pissed off. We basically gifted the Pacers game 1. Wasted a game where the Knicks should have won and now game 2 essentially becomes a do or die game.

At least it’s an 8pm tip, but Fridays and weekends are always bad games for the Knicks at home because IMO (and 40 years experience) people bring their kids. The energy is different and it gets harder to execute down the stretch, while the opponent is still just amped to be playing anywhere except their bumbled*ck home arena. It’s a real liability.

Family not bringing their kids unless they're rich. These tickets are insane

Inflation is a b*tch. The entire lower bowl are millionaires. They’re bringing their kids.

We need sections 200-400 to rock the F out.

[Context]

They weren’t tired. Brunson was sitting on the bench for the longest time, probably the longest he got to rest all season long. Then came in and played awful. If anything he probably sat on the bench too long.

Yeah, I think this was the actual issue. Should have just put Brunson back in the game sooner since that is what he is accustomed to.

I don't know any coach out there who just wouldn't play their best player.

9 point lead 54 sec left.

[Stannis]

Also, if we keep pretending Josh Hart is Scottie Pippen, I don't see us winning the series. I still think he's more of a 6th man type. He definitely overachieves and has his moments though.

Probably can't address this now. But hopefully in the offseason.

[dakomish23]

Knicks shot 3-15 from 3 in the 2nd half & OT (0-3).

In the first half we were 8-19 (42%)

[DOT]

At least it’s an 8pm tip, but Fridays and weekends are always bad games for the Knicks at home because IMO (and 40 years experience) people bring their kids. The energy is different and it gets harder to execute down the stretch, while the opponent is still just amped to be playing anywhere except their bumbled*ck home arena. It’s a real liability.

Family not bringing their kids unless they're rich. These tickets are insane

Inflation is a b*tch. The entire lower bowl are millionaires. They’re bringing their kids.

We need sections 200-400 to rock the F out.

[The KnicksFix]

I will agree with this is OG is healthy.
If I'm pissed about the game they have to be. They will also look at film and that should have them super focused Knicksfix.

The post game press conference by OG
Something looked off. He looked angry. He looked annoyed
Brunson and KAT were pissed. KAT didn’t crack a smile. He normally does. Even in losses. These guys are pissed and the loss will fuel them to refocus

I no doubt of their ability to win 4 straight. I just wonder...We were up 9 points with 54 seconds. We had some questionable refs calls after that.
We will have to make sure we keep the game out of the reach for the refs. The league NEEDS a long series.
If you think about it. There has never been a team in nba history to blow a lead like that. Everyone will be tuning in to see the next game.

The OG call was the wrong call. Siakim had his hand on him.
Many fouls were not called on Naismith. He hacked Brunson all night.
The refs manufactured a lot of the comeback.
Eff em. We will beat their ass like a Cherokee drum.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Knicks shot 3-15 from 3 in the 2nd half & OT (0-3).

In the first half we were 8-19 (42%)

The missed free throws hurt even more

[cgmw]

They weren’t tired. Brunson was sitting on the bench for the longest time, probably the longest he got to rest all season long. Then came in and played awful. If anything he probably sat on the bench too long.

Yeah, I think this was the actual issue. Should have just put Brunson back in the game sooner since that is what he is accustomed to.

I don't know any coach out there who just wouldn't play their best player.

I actually yelled “put the starters back in, Tom!” And was immediately shocked at the words out of my mouth. He really let it ride with Deuce, and the second Jalen came back in Indy targeted and demolished him. Idk how you change that moving forward but it’s the biggest issue that needs adjustment IMO. Brunson killed us on D all game long, to the point that Thibs actually kept him benched.

[SelbyCobra]

In the end I think I'm more annoyed than anything. My frustration and anger stems largely from annoyance that, straight out the gate, they've given life to the fictional Reggie Miller/Knicks nonsense and allowed another undeserving player in Haliburton to take a step forward in the media hype machine. They couldn't even go one damn game without allowing a - quite literally - 1 in 1000 type performance.

But it doesn't have to be more than just one game. For those who weren't alive or invested in this team 30 years ago, imagine this kind of failure/collapse, but across games 6 AND 7 of the NBA Finals. We all believed back then, but we learned the hard way something that was always lingering in the back of our minds - there was a chance despite all the heart, all the teamwork, all the grit and toughness, they would come up short in talent against someone who was just clearly better. It was usually Jordan against whom no lead was safe in the playoffs, but it sometimes worked in the inverse where the talent deficit got exposed against good but not great talent (Miller's Pacers, Hakeem's Rockets) because the Knicks own talent came up way short (Hot-headedness, emotional loss of focus, cold streaks). It was something that we always knew was lurking, and many of us have felt in the decades since.

For me personally, I fully believe in the talent of this roster as a champion. I know they have their flaws, but I totally believe that, if managed properly, they can absolutely win a championship. The ominous, looming aspect of THIS team though is, and has been since they began assembling a competitive roster, the coaching. Much like a guy like Starks as a player, Thibs has willed his way into "All-Star" status, and proven that he belongs in the NBA beyond a shadow of a doubt. But much like Starks, he has exploitable weaknesses. He also has the ability to get locked into his ways and not deviate from the "it's just around the corner, you just need to what you've always done, but harder" mentality, resulting in "meltdowns", whether it's at the end of the game, out of the half, or whenever. But it results in wild oscillations and inconsistency.

Thibs is certainly a master motivator. But to me last night the coaching deficit reared it's head and there was no one there to steward floundering players and schemes - it was just keep doing what we have always done, "take what the game gives you", and hopefully the blood will coagulate before we bleed out. Who knows what will happen, but one thing I've learned not to doubt about a Jalen Brunson led team is their resiliency. He's a winner, competitor, and can lift a team on his own. Here's to hoping they bounce back once again.

[Phish Tank]

OG and Josh must go after this season - after we fire Thibs.

I think Josh has ADD.

[The KnicksFix]

They weren’t tired. Brunson was sitting on the bench for the longest time, probably the longest he got to rest all season long. Then came in and played awful. If anything he probably sat on the bench too long.

Yeah, I think this was the actual issue. Should have just put Brunson back in the game sooner since that is what he is accustomed to.

I don't know any coach out there who just wouldn't play their best player.

I actually yelled “put the starters back in, Tom!” And was immediately shocked at the words out of my mouth. He really let it ride with Deuce, and the second Jalen came back in Indy targeted and demolished him. Idk how you change that moving forward but it’s the biggest issue that needs adjustment IMO. Brunson killed us on D all game long, to the point that Thibs actually kept him benched.

He will adjust
They bring Brunson to the action every play. What you’ll see is a lot more trapping now. They will trap at the top of the key as soon as the play starts.

[mpharris36]

Knicks shot 3-15 from 3 in the 2nd half & OT (0-3).

In the first half we were 8-19 (42%)

The missed free throws hurt even more

we still scored 9 pts in the last 3 minutes of regulation (missed 3 FT's). When we were up 14...

we gave up 23 pts in basically a 3 minute span...

[The KnicksFix]

Also, if we keep pretending Josh Hart is Scottie Pippen, I don't see us winning the series. I still think he's more of a 6th man type. He definitely overachieves and has his moments though.

Probably can't address this now. But hopefully in the offseason.

Hart needs to come off the bench. He isn’t a starter. Yet he gets starter minutes. Such a waste. Mitch should be starting.

[G_K_F]

OG and Josh must go after this season - after we fire Thibs.

I think Josh has ADD.

$40 million for OG.

Rather spread that over 2-3 role players with a better coach.

[HEZI]

It’s the type of fatigue that isn’t cured by a few mins of rest… or even 4 days off.

What?

Even you know this sounds ridiculous

How have you never heard of progressive fatigue?

We were kicking their ass all game and we’re up 9 with less than a minute to go and poof progressive fatigue kicked in and we lost.