ECF Playoff Game Thread: Knicks @ Pacers, Game 4, May 27th 8pm

[MrDollarBills]

We need to attack Nesmith and really test out that ankle. Hunt him and see how he’s moving

Yep. And also lets feed KAT and let him kill Myles Turner.

[Guano]

We had a nearly 130 DRTG when Donte was on the floor in last years playoffs. And IQ was ass in the playoffs every year, what are you even talking about

I think gravy might be a staunch thibs supporter and is disparaging the current bench and gassing up our previous bench in an effort to justify thibs short rotations. A few more suspect post and we will be able to figure out his agenda.

Tell me how awesome Cam Payne is too

Im gonna pass I only lie when it benefits guan0.

[MrDollarBills]

Cam Payne these playoffs:

32.4% on 2.6 FGA
23.8% on 1.5 3PA
33.3% on 0.2 FTA

He gave us all he had in Detroit

He can cheerlead from the bench as Wright and Shamet played defense.

[WaltFrazier]

Pretty sure JB has free rein. It's on Thibs to tell him to get everyone involved.

Part of the challenge with JB finding KAT is KAT sets up behind the top of the arc as a decoy to draw bigs out of the paint. Once Brunson is by him, KAT's out of his field of vision. Pacers have been exploiting that. Brunson needs to remember to feed the KAT once he can't see him. Maybe there's a hockey assist there, if not direct pass.

Not as much of an issue with Wright/Deuce as they're only scoring options when other avenues fail first.

That's a valid point; I never considered that. Short mofos are a major drag

Many times when JB penetrates below Kat I think, throw a hook pass back to him he's open. But JB rarely does. He should be able to make that pass

[WaltFrazier]

Cam Payne these playoffs:

32.4% on 2.6 FGA
23.8% on 1.5 3PA
33.3% on 0.2 FTA

He gave us all he had in Detroit

He can cheerlead from the bench as Wright and Shamet played defense.

I feel bad for Cam, he tries, seems like a good guy. But it is what it is. He has to hit threes or he's not useful

[mpharris36]

Read on Twitter

Those kinda defensive mishaps aren't even excusable for someone with an offensive bag like kat. The fact that its Cam Payne doing it is crazy.

I know thibs loves him a small combo guard who gets buckets. But its criminal how long he stuck with the cam Payne experience

its pretty simple you put up with Brunson/KAT because they can win a game on there own offensively. But everyone else that plays has to bring something to the table defensively. Can't have any weak links against this team that will exploit it!

[K_ick_God]

If they stick to a gamelan and execute it well, and don’t have coaching mistakes, they could lose tonight and still win three in a row, two at home.

Rather not test that

Tonight feels like a must win. Would put a whole lotta pressure back on them.

I think the pressure would be pretty even in a G5 tied.

[FrozenEnvelope]

If they stick to a gamelan and execute it well, and don’t have coaching mistakes, they could lose tonight and still win three in a row, two at home.

I always saw the path in this series as winning 2 at home and 2 away. We can still do that even if we lose tonight.

[Context]

This is all on Thibs as a leader. Hopefully he gets it done. Players "play" but coaches put players in "positions" to play.

[MrDollarBills]

Hahn is saying that he was told that Shamet and Wright were going to play in Game 3 but the foul situation forced his hand early.

Both guys were prepared. I tip my cap.

All we need is just defense and some ball handling help. I'm not asking for anything else.

Play KAT with Deuce. Brunson with Mitch.

[MrDollarBills]

Cam Payne these playoffs:

32.4% on 2.6 FGA
23.8% on 1.5 3PA
33.3% on 0.2 FTA

He gave us all he had in Detroit

He can cheerlead from the bench as Wright and Shamet played defense.

I feel bad for Cam, he tries, seems like a good guy. But it is what it is. He has to hit threes or he's not useful

Yeah if he isn't hitting shots, it doesn't matter much. I'd rather play Wright

[MrDollarBills]

Apparently two Knick fans got stabbed by a Pacers fan in Indiana at a bar.

Now we definitely gotta tie it up tonight

[3toheadmelo]

I think gravy might be a staunch thibs supporter and is disparaging the current bench and gassing up our previous bench in an effort to justify thibs short rotations. A few more suspect post and we will be able to get to the figure out his agenda.

His agenda is transparent, and it also involves mentioning stuff from like a decade ago as to why something today won't work. All people want from Wright is his defense, just get over screens and make the Pacers offense work a little harder Nobody is expecting a scoring outburts from him, just defense and effort so that our starters don't have to play every minute. Anything else he gives us is just....gravy

At this point are we sure gravy isnt meLo... I mean think about it gravy and meLo it just makes too much sense.

Gravy is an outstanding citizen of Melozakistan. I don’t understand the slander towards him!

[K_ick_God]

Not to hedge my bets but if I am being completely honest, I think the chance that KAT can control his emotions and bring this home are 50-50 at best.

I think emotion control is all that he really needs. (And a pumpfake here and there?)

He should be able to do this but mental hurdles can be the biggest ones. And no, he doesn't have enough support from the coach on this. He should be treated in a specific way to make sure he produces results. Instead I think he's often overlooked. Is what it is.

And even if he can't do it this series, which would suck, it's unfair. Because he was basically the top contributor in what should be two wins so far in this series. His margin of error is low due to very little fault of his own.

[Knickkilla]

Great breakdown of Game 3 ha

Watch on YouTube

[spree2kawhi]

Not to hedge my bets but if I am being completely honest, I think the chance that KAT can control his emotions and bring this home are 50-50 at best.

I think emotion control is all that he really needs. (And a pumpfake here and there?)

He should be able to do this but mental hurdles can be the biggest ones. And no, he doesn't have enough support from the coach on this. He should be treated in a specific way to make sure he produces results. Instead I think he's often overlooked. Is what it is.

And even if he can't do it this series, which would suck, it's unfair. Because he was basically the top contributor in what should be two wins so far in this series. His margin of error is low due to very little fault of his own.

He’ll dominate this game.

[TKKnicks1]

I know Shamet is what a lot of people saw last game out there but what I loved seeing was Delon Wright instead of Payne. Delon was giving Hali problems. Hes got length and hes got the agility to keep up with Hailiburton. I dont care if he doesnt score a single point. Slowing down Haliburton basically brings the entire Pacers offense to a halt.

[nykballa2k4]

I ain’t hear no goddamn bell. It ain’t ova till it’s ova. Get your head in the game. One down, one to go. Play defense, hustle on every play, keep grinding all 48 minutes until we secure the damn game. KAT carried us the last game, Mikal and Brunson, I’m looking at you two to have big games. Continue communicating on the defensive end, and do what you gotta do to win. We are going to tie this series. Just like in the last game, summon the ghosts of old on the road, from Pat, to Mase, to Oak, Starks and Harp. From Spree to Houston, to Camby, LJ and Ward. Get the dub by any means necessary. Have some pride for once in this damn series and stop going down and rolling over. Play to win the goddamn game, and play every possession with urgency and hunger.

Keys to the game:
- Thibs, you showed us you were willing to try something new, even if your hand was forced in the last game. Continue to make the adjustments and mix up the rotations if needed.
- Start Mitch, play Hart off the bench
- Stagger the KAT and Brunson minutes
- Whenever Brunson and KAT are alone on the court, SURROUND THEM WITH 4 DEFENSE MINDED PLAYERS
- Keep playing Delon Wright and Landry Shamet
- Play Precious if Mitch is tired, spare him 2 -4 minutes here and there
- HAVE SOME GODDAMN PRIDE ON DEFENSE KAT AND STEP UP IN THE SCREEN/ SWITCH. STOP BEING TARGETED AND TRY HARDER ON DEFENSE
- Mikal, step tf up and hit your shots, I need a MONSTER game from you. You missed a ton of open 3’s in the last game, hit them now!
- Brunson, they are targeting you relentlessly on the switch. They are hunting you, keep working thru it, keep grinding and move your feet on defense
- Brunson, target Hali on switches and force them into foul trouble to slow them down
- Target Neismith, his ankle is weakened attack him!
- If one of their players has it going, force that player to get the rock out of their hands
- KEEP FLYING AROUND THE PERIMETER

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, AND MORE DAMN DEFENSE!!!!
LETS F’N GO, JUST WIN THE GODDAMN GAME! THE TIME IS NOW!!!!

I want to know what we have to do to actually get FTA's. Spike Lee needs to start getting these refs to play roles in his movies or something to get a more friendly whistle.
Staggering KAT and JB is the most obvious thing. Feeding the KAT seems like it's obvious. Like the idea of adding Precious for a few mins (8 or so per would be my preference). We can be better if we have guys playing at their peak rather than playing with half a tank.
We need to take care of the ball, win the possession battle. It always feels like offensive boards result in a made bucket, usually a 3, we have to cut down on that.

I agree, I would like to see Brunson hunt for Hali a little more. Bridges too could take some runs at him.

[nykballa2k4]

Cam Payne these playoffs:

32.4% on 2.6 FGA
23.8% on 1.5 3PA
33.3% on 0.2 FTA

He gave us all he had in Detroit

He can cheerlead from the bench as Wright and Shamet played defense.

Love Cam, but he plays like he has on roller skates. Refs are letting Pacers play more physically so he is basically unable to take that pressure (physically, not mentally).

[Capn'O]

Not to speak well of Reggie but his choke was way more badass than Haliburton's. It happened mid fourth and organically. It was also part of a conversation with a well known movie director. The theatrics were impeccable vs whipping it out when you think the game has ended. You could see the thought enter his head through his beady little eyes "oh I have to do the choke thing."

We won that series though and let history repeat.