You'll Need a Pace(r) Maker For Two Harts This Time | Official Pacers (#4) vs. Knicks (#3) Eastern Conference Finals Thread

[Guvnor]

Brunson wasn’t legit in playoffs prior either so I hear you but don’t agree. Beating Boston would’ve been his stamp but they shyt the bed even before Tatum went down. The best team he’d have beaten to be official would be the Pacers…and he’s gonna lose.

So I put them in the same boat. Brunson may have a better seat but it’s the same trip. Id take KAT at this point. He’s playing better with less usage and a bum ass coach that can’t figure out how to use him.

I disagree. They beat Boston and he played a pivotal role in that in the fourth quarters. Do I need to go pull up the status, sure he did bad against Indiana but Kat's numbers in the playoffs prior to this season were ass and he also isn't as clutch. He was largely inconsistent when the Wolves needed him and I don't think he could handle the pressure of being a number one option or running the offense through him primarily but who knows may be something they can play with.

 

[AAKing23]

You call it cursed, I call it using two #1 picks BACK TO BACK YEARS for Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz

If they were drafted to Boston they would have been 2 time champions

 

[JoelB]

You call it cursed, I call it using two #1 picks BACK TO BACK YEARS for Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz

If Markelle got drafted to any other organization he'd be 5x All NBA by now. Players get drafted to Philly and get into motorcycle accidents, forget how to shoot, go into comas from unknown peanut allergies...we fighting demons over here

 

[MostReal]

OKC gonna give both teams hell .

no that doesn’t make him a fake great player

It just means it’s damn near impossible for a small guard to be the leader of your offense and win . There is a cap on what you can accomplish

Good post

 

[OGBobbyJohnson]

& Mikal missing 3 straight shots down the stretch

 

[AAKing23]

If Markelle got drafted to any other organization he'd be 5x All NBA by now. Players get drafted to Philly and get into motorcycle accidents, forget how to shoot, go into comas from unknown peanut allergies...we fighting demons over here

nikkas also go 100+ mph on city streets and get into bar fights with white boys and forget how to dunk too

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I agree that Knicks fans are unappreciative as fukk, as a Bulls fans they got three, possibly four nikkas better than everybody on my damn team but the minute they get to the ECF suddenly everybody ass and they need to trade the entire squad away and murder Thibs. That's why I can't stand Knicks or Lakers fans, even Boston fans don't behave this ridiculously.


I disagree that Brunson's play isn't conducive to winning, you act like he's Westbrook or something. Trade him for the second options on Nuggets, Lakers, Milwaukee, etc. and they're a dynasty. I just don't feel he can be your best player on a championship team. And even then, making it to the ECF as the best man makes the claim "his style isn't conducive to winning" absolutely ridiculous. He had to win a whole helluva lot to be three games away from the NBA Finals.

It's important to seperate style of play from skillset/ability.

Brunson's skillet is conducive to winning, but how he operates on the floor isn't. They got this far because of his ability to get buckets, not necessarily because the method in which he scores is benefitting the team. They'll need to address that in the summer, either getting a new coach and/or better depth. Something will have to change because they can't go down this road again in the playoffs.

 

[Guvnor]

Brunson can't play beside any other star unless said star can play off the ball and still go to work.

Never say never, look at that Mavs team with Kyrie and Luka. I said no it will never work and then them fellas made it to the Finals the next year. It is possible, either they run the offense through the other dude and Brunson learn to pick his spots which will be a process or they run it primarily through Brunson or they switch. It would be best if they can get someone who is great off ball as you said but that will be tough to find.

 

[Guvnor]

His 4th quarter performance in Game 3 showed otherwise.

His issues have nothing to do with him not having nuts, but more to do with his inability to make smart decisions. He gets lost in himself too often where he commits a careless turnover or a needless foul. That's why surrounding him with the right personnel and structure is needed to get the best out of him because he's got everything else in abundance. He just needs direction and a platform where he doesn't trip over his own feet.

We're seeing in the OKC/Minny series that this is categorically untrue. They're missing his spacing and skillset, which Julius isn't providing for them.

KAT is a star. The Knicks also have two high quality starters/borderline stars in Mikal and OG. You're not going to get a secondary option better than KAT, so you can throw that idea right out the window. And for as good as Brunson is, clearly his style of play isn't conducive to winning in the playoffs and it's something they need to address in the offseason.

You raised a great point, I feel he did great in Game 3 and was key in us winning. Though I feel he can make bad choices as you put it. I don't know if it's the pressure or what but he stays fukking up. Bridges is another one, he helped us a lot in terms of defense and size (pause) but he will suck the whole game then turn it on out of no where in the 4th. Don't let me get started on his shot selection, he would fade away a layup that is right there for him. I get anxiety every time he shoots. The mechanics of his shot is awful.

I disagree with your Min. Take. OKC is just the better team. If Kat was there it would make no difference. Are you forgetting they were a first round exit team for consecutive years before last season. They got rid of him because he didn't fit that system and Edwards and him clashed. Shoot even the Knicks was mad at him in Game 1


On this team, Kat is a good second option if you will. Think of a Scottie Pippen, someone good enough to be a star on a bum team but not on the Knicks he isn't a Star and we need a real Star to win, maybe a better bench too to help out McBride. OG and Bridges are good when they are good but someone has to be traded and I vote for Bridges personally and maybe get rid of Thibs.

 

[RubioTheCruel]

Something will have to change because they can't go down this road again in the playoffs.

I think this is true. Knicks have lived a very charmed life this playoffs. How many games would you say they've really looked good? The closeout game vs Boston is the only one I can think of.

Detroit really was punishing them and they got very fortunate. Boston was up 14+ in games 1 through 5 of the ECSF. Luck isn't a strategy

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I think this is true. Knicks have lived a very charmed life this playoffs. How many games would you say they've really looked good? The closeout game vs Boston is the only one I can think of.

Detroit really was punishing them and they got very fortunate. Boston was up 14+ in games 1 through 5 of the ECSF. Luck isn't a strategy

I made this post during the season -

This is what they're going to need in the playoffs on the nights that Jalen doesn't have it going. If one can pick up the other during off-nights, and vice versa, they can make a good run. They're probably going to need one postseason run as a group, and then run it back for keeps next season.

The bold is why I didn't think they'd do anything of note these playoffs because they needed a practice run to work out what works and what doesn't. It's clear we now have a large enough sample size on what they need to change and improve on for next season. It's the reason why I don't think y'all should be so doom and gloom about the team because they've made it this far and they haven't been playing to the best of their abilities.

Just imagine when they have everything figured out?

 

[Guvnor]

I made this post during the season -

The bold is why I didn't think they'd do anything of note these playoffs because they needed a practice run to work out what works and what doesn't. It's clear we now have a large enough sample size on what they need to change and improve on for next season. It's the reason why I don't think y'all should be so doom and gloom about the team because they've made it this far and they haven't been playing to the best of their abilities.

Just imagine when they have everything figured out?

Great point, maybe they should have a second chance to run it back with more experience now. It's just being the NY team they have pressure to deliver and fast.

I mean look at this right here, coach Thibs needs to figure this out. This is unacceptable.

 

[RickyGQ]

I made this post during the season -

The bold is why I didn't think they'd do anything of note these playoffs because they needed a practice run to work out what works and what doesn't. It's clear we now have a large enough sample size on what they need to change and improve on for next season. It's the reason why I don't think y'all should be so doom and gloom about the team because they've made it this far and they haven't been playing to the best of their abilities.

Just imagine when they have everything figured out?

I'm "doom and gloom" cause a lot of these issues have been there for most of the season and I don't have confidence in Thibs to change those things next season. It's just not his area of expertise. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[BK The Great]

 

[BK The Great]