Hawks to face Knicks in 1st Round of Playoffs

Post #21 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 18, 2021 12:13 am

Why scouts think Hawks may be too much for Knicks in NBA playoffs

The Knicks have been overlooked all season, so it’s not surprise NBA scouts believe the Hawks’ firepower might be too much for their rugged defense

The Knicks own a 3-0 regular-season series sweep and have home-court advantage, starting with Game 1 either Saturday and Sunday. But the Hawks have superstar point guard Trae Young surrounded by gifted perimeter shooters.

“Will their vaunted regular-season defense be such an important factor against a very offensively talented Hawks team?” one Eastern Conference scout told The Post. “I’m picking Atlanta. I have been a big believer in the Hawks since Nate (McMillan) took over. They are the more talented team, especially offensively.

“Philosophically, I believe that having more offensive, playoff-type weapons – guys who create one’s shot – gives them the an edge over a slogging offensive team that relies on defense like the Knicks.”

While the Hawks players have limited playoff experience, same goes for the Knicks, whose engine is Julius Randle. The Knicks southpaw point forward will play his first playoff game this weekend, in his seventh season. Randle averaged 37 points against Atlanta in three games, with two 40-point contests.

“The biggest concern still is who else will score late besides Randle,” the Eastern scout said.

As impressive a second season 20-year-old swingman RJ Barrett has weaved, he hasn’t always been a late-game sniper and has a streaky side.

“RJ has had bad first halves a lot of the season,” another talent evaluator said. “That could catch up to them. Randle and Barrett, are they going to hit the game-winner in a close game in the playoffs? We don’t know yet. I didn’t like what they looked like in the final five minutes vs. Boston (Sunday) with everything on the line. I’d bet Trae would. He’s fearless and Collins is a weapon that people don’t talk enough about. The Knicks can’t rely on a rookie, Immanuel Quickley, to bail them out late.”

“It’s a young and hungry group with a great coach,” a Western Conference scout said of Atlanta. “(McMillan) gets them to play hard and pay attention to detail. And they [have] shooters. Knicks are tough as nails, play hard and are always in games.”

If rebounding is tantamount, the Knicks have to contend with Atlanta’s Clint Capela, who has battled foot problems the last month but is a monster on the boards. Not having center Mitchell Robinson for this series could loom large. Capela put up a 25-and-22 game in the prior meeting. Nerlens Noel is a terrific shot-blocker, but he and backup center Taj Gibson lack bulk and size when going against big centers.

“Noel is going to have trouble with Capela if he’s healthy,” the NBA talent evaluator said. “Noel gets pushed around by bigger guys for rebounds. I’d worry about that.”

NY Post

Post #22 » by **HMFFL** » Tue May 18, 2021 12:23 am

The Knicks have some dangerous young talent but so do we. Their veteran leadership with the likes of Taj Gibson concerns me but I expect us to win in 6 games.

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CP War Hawks · Post #23 » by **CP War Hawks** » Tue May 18, 2021 1:24 am

I will beat a dead horse but let Randle go off and shut everyone else down. The 2011 playoff vs the Magic we let Dwight get his and everyone else was out of rhythm. Granted that Hawks team was very good defensively but they can't let multiple Knicks get off.

D21 · Post #24 » by **D21** » Tue May 18, 2021 1:39 am

I will take this way : contain Randle a bit but more than trying to not let him score, better not let him creating foul trouble. Don't let him get foul calls on our best players, mainly Capela. He will do a show, for sure, it's not the main problem.
IMO, the main problem is limiting the impact of Rose, it's when he's on the floor that they play their best game, more than any other Knicks, including Randle.

Post #25 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 18, 2021 3:48 am

Read on Twitter

graymule · Post #26 » by **graymule** » Tue May 18, 2021 11:17 am

Jamaaliver wrote:

Read on Twitter

I see this as a great, back handed, compliment to our Hawk team. Apparently, by this, it was easier for Nate to go 7-1 with his Hawk team than it was for Tibbs to go 6-3 with the Knickerbockers.

I know that wasn't the thinking. Just a lot more NY input than Atlanta. But, this is my idea and I'm sticking to it.

:lol:

NoStatsGuy · Post #27 » by **NoStatsGuy** » Tue May 18, 2021 4:34 pm

graymule wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:

Read on Twitter

I see this as a great, back handed, compliment to our Hawk team. Apparently, by this, it was easier for Nate to go 7-1 with his Hawk team than it was for Tibbs to go 6-3 with the Knickerbockers.

I know that wasn't the thinking. Just a lot more NY input than Atlanta. But, this is my idea and I'm sticking to it.

TBF the knicks played a rough Road Trip facing memphis, denver, phoenix, clippers, lakers, spurs and then rounded out the last 2 games with charlotte and boston. Cant deny that this is a rough may.

Im here in peace tho, i hope its going to be an exciting series. Oh how i missed playoff ball!!
Best of luck.. may the better team win :beer:

jayu70 · Post #28 » by **jayu70** » Tue May 18, 2021 5:58 pm

Well, we might as well not even play the game, lol.

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graymule · Post #29 » by **graymule** » Tue May 18, 2021 6:13 pm

Most of 'em says, NY in 6. That means, Hawks win 2! Just can't hardly wait to see which 2 we win!

:nod:

D21 · Post #30 » by **D21** » Tue May 18, 2021 6:33 pm

NoStatsGuy wrote:
graymule wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:

Read on Twitter

I see this as a great, back handed, compliment to our Hawk team. Apparently, by this, it was easier for Nate to go 7-1 with his Hawk team than it was for Tibbs to go 6-3 with the Knickerbockers.

I know that wasn't the thinking. Just a lot more NY input than Atlanta. But, this is my idea and I'm sticking to it.

TBF the knicks played a rough Road Trip facing memphis, denver, phoenix, clippers, lakers, spurs and then rounded out the last 2 games with charlotte and boston. Cant deny that this is a rough may.

Im here in peace tho, i hope its going to be an exciting series. Oh how i missed playoff ball!!
Best of luck.. may the better team win

I think it's both the harder schedule and the fact that it gave NYK the home court advantage.

jayu70 · Post #31 » by **jayu70** » Tue May 18, 2021 6:49 pm

Read on Twitter

D21 · Post #32 » by **D21** » Tue May 18, 2021 6:52 pm

jayu70 wrote:Well, we might as well not even play the game, lol.

Read on Twitter

They can use it as motivation during this week, but they don't have to think about it too much. Once the series starts, they need to play their game more than anything, don't think about Randle too much and mainly not get into foul trouble
The same journalists was just saying "with these Free Agency, they want to battle for a playoffs spot" and only imagined they would around the 8th spot. To be honest, they didn't see NYK that high too.

In the end, ATL finished with same record than the 4th, with almost twice more injured players on the season, and a coach who started only on March 1st...
The thing that could hurt is the lack of playing time together with the best starting lineup : Trae, Bogi, Dre, John and Clint. This lineup is the best and they only played a few games together (surely less than 10 games)
If they play well together, ATL will be better than most think right now

DirtybirdGA · Post #33 » by **DirtybirdGA** » Tue May 18, 2021 7:19 pm

Well what does Fox,CBS, and Yahoo say?

jayu70 · Post #34 » by **jayu70** » Tue May 18, 2021 10:37 pm

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Buzzard · Post #35 » by **Buzzard** » Wed May 19, 2021 5:40 am

I picked the Hawks to sweep. Its not that I think every game will be a Hawks blowout. I just think every game could be a Hawks blowout. The Hawks have to much talent vs Randle, Barrett, and Rose.

GTR11 · Post #36 » by **GTR11** » Wed May 19, 2021 7:26 am

ATL in six

This team just have more firepower, it's that simple. Take that painted area out and make them jump shot happy, they consistently inconsistent.

Having Gallo healthy for this match up will be huge. If he can provide around 30 min, that changes entire dynamic of these teams match ups.

kg01 · Post #37 » by **kg01** » Wed May 19, 2021 6:29 pm

GTR11 wrote:ATL in six

This team just have more firepower, it's that simple. Take that painted area out and make them jump shot happy, they consistently inconsistent.

Having Gallo healthy for this match up will be huge. If he can provide around 30 min, that changes entire dynamic of these teams match ups.

Ooh, you're not wrong, but that's a little strong minutes-wise for Galli. Every time I see him run I cringe and hope he doesn't tweak something. The other week one of the highlight clips at practice had him doing a 360 dunk (not kidding). I nearly fainted.

jayu70 · Post #38 » by **jayu70** » Wed May 19, 2021 7:29 pm

kg01 wrote:
GTR11 wrote:ATL in six

This team just have more firepower, it's that simple. Take that painted area out and make them jump shot happy, they consistently inconsistent.

Having Gallo healthy for this match up will be huge. If he can provide around 30 min, that changes entire dynamic of these teams match ups.

Ooh, you're not wrong, but that's a little strong minutes-wise for Galli. Every time I see him run I cringe and hope he doesn't tweak something. The other week one of the highlight clips at practice had him doing a 360 dunk (not kidding). I nearly fainted.

For Gallo to play 30 minutes it would have to be that Clint and/or JC are in foul trouble and his Flame thrower is hot, hot, hot.

jayu70 · Post #39 » by **jayu70** » Wed May 19, 2021 7:48 pm

Preparation is Key!

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jayu70 · Post #40 » by **jayu70** » Wed May 19, 2021 7:50 pm

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How does the Hawks - Knicks series play out?