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

[daemonova]

We mean, conditioned to play 40+ minutes a game. Boston looked visibly fatigued at the end of games while the Knicks, who barely play a 7 man rotation, would not stop attacking both sides of the floor. I get that Indiana run 10 deep, but what does it look like when Carlisle tries to cut that down to 8, and guys who aren’t used to playing 38-40 have to all of a sudden in the highest of pressure situations.

Congratulations by the way

 

[Wargames]

Knicks in 5

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

We mean, conditioned to play 40+ minutes a game.

I was replying to this statement @obarth made - "I think the evolution from "Thibs runs players into the ground" to "Knicks are very well conditioned" is going unnoticed in a postseason littered with injuries."

I think that was quite obviously referring to the injuries as it relates to conditioning.

Boston looked visibly fatigued at the end of games while the Knicks, who barely play a 7 man rotation, would not stop attacking both sides of the floor.

I thought both teams looked visibly fatigued, if we're keeping it real.

On that note though - the 4th and 5th highest-average minute players for Boston were 34 years old and 38 years old, respectively, so playing them more minutes during the regular season is hardly going to do their conditioning any favors (it's more likely to do the opposite). The same conditioning advantage y'all had against the Celtics won't be there against Indiana, well, certainly not to the same degree.

I get that Indiana run 10 deep, but what does it look like when Carlisle tries to cut that down to 8, and guys who aren’t used to playing 38-40 have to all of a sudden in the highest of pressure situations.

This is the same Pacers squad who went to the ECF last season. Playing however many minutes they need to won't be an issue; they know what it takes to push through that initial threshold of exhaustion.

It's not like this is their first rodeo.

To further that point, they're 5-0 in the clutch this postseason, so they've proven they can lean hard on their starters when it's time need to close and/or play more minutes down the stretch of games. Haliburton, Turner, Nesmith, Siakam and Nembhard won't have any issue, whatsoever, playing more minutes, particularly since they love playing at a fast pace. If Knicks are willing to slow the game down, then playing 38-40 minutes will be like playing 34-36 minutes to Indiana and their regular style of play.

Knicks have certain advantages in this series, but none of them relate to conditioning (that's where Indiana has the upper-hand).

 

[RAX 010]

I hear the NBA on NBC theme and Marv Alberts voice .....

 

[Dem313wayz]

Pacers gonna thrash the Knicks. Pacers have the coaching mental toughness and personnel to attack the knicks.

This gonna be a bad matchup for KAT. They got 3 players to guard Brunson 94 feet

 

[Unbothered]

Interesting, two teams nobody would've thought would be fighting for that Finals berth.

The NBA Finals are gonna be very intriguing.

Props to the Knicks and Pacers .

I'ma go with the Knicks in 6 or 7.

I think this year's Knicks team is better than the version that squared off against the Pacers in the Conference Semis last postseason. I think the additions of KAT and Bridges are the difference, along with OG and Robinson being healthy and available.

I'm going to give the Pacers some credit because most people thought their run to the ECF was a fluke and that they just got lucky at the right time, but to make it back this season only cements them being a legit team in the East as contenders.

All season, we've treated the Cavs like they were true contenders and championship finalists despite not proving otherwise just for them to get embarrassedly bounced in the Conference Semis once again when the Pacers are the team we should've paid more attention to and given them that respect.

 

[Gotright]

I want it to go seven

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Pacers gonna thrash the Knicks. Pacers have the coaching mental toughness and personnel to attack the knicks.

This gonna be a bad matchup for KAT. They got 3 players to guard Brunson 94 feet

I think that's the most worrying thing for the Knicks.

Going into the Cavs/Pacers series, many believed (including me) the Cavs were essentially a better version of what Indiana were, and yet it didn't mean a cotdamn thing because the Pacers reached a place of mental resilience and adaptability that the Cavs simply couldn't get to, no matter what advantage they may have had in hooping ability. I think folks were too focused on shaming the Cavs for coming up short after a historic regular season, when the focus should've been more on what the Pacers did to force them into the background.

It's not going to matter if the Knicks are the better team, in terms of ability, are they willing to go to that same place to win as the Pacers are?

 

[superchoops]

We mean, conditioned to play 40+ minutes a game. Boston looked visibly fatigued at the end of games while the Knicks, who barely play a 7 man rotation, would not stop attacking both sides of the floor. I get that Indiana run 10 deep, but what does it look like when Carlisle tries to cut that down to 8, and guys who aren’t used to playing 38-40 have to all of a sudden in the highest of pressure situations.

i just think a regular 40+ minutes a game is different from a 40+ minutes a game against these pacers.
I saw a lot of iso ball, one pass shoot possessions from the Celtics. Even when the Pacers use the clock, they gonna move the ball a lot. It's not generally an iso possession where everyone clears out and just waits...you gon see bout 4-5 handoffs and if McConnell's in the game, he's gonna slash to the rim and may or may not try to sneak that bucket. Pascal is gonna iso but I'd expect at least 3-4 players to touch the ball on most half-court possessions otherwise.

the slower tempo to me at least is akin to running the ball. Yeah it's nice and good when you can get your buckets and get second chance opportunities, but if the Pacers are making their shots and the Knicks have to play faster, then what?

 

[BrehWyatt]

I hope it goes seven.

Indy has the edge in coaching -- slight -- and a notable edge in depth. These things sound like trump cards this time of year, but to this point the latter hasn't mattered for the Knicks. Right now, I'm saying Indiana just because they seem to have been playing more consistently in the playoffs.

I honestly couldn't care less who wins, though. I'd be cool with either side getting to the finals.

They beat a team with 5 players, 6 if you wanna count precious and it still went 7. We were up 2-0 until og went out and almost still took game 3 before nemhard hit that 30 foot 3. Went 2-1 against them this year. Everyone's healthy. They have home court. There's a lot of reason for optimism.

Boston went 4-0, convincingly, against the Knicks in the regular season. You saw what it got them when the money was on the line.

 

[Urbanmiracle]

On some realness props to the pacers taking out the number 1 seed very soundly. Halliburton is goofy but he is clutch. 8 points in 41 or so seconds? Incredible

The knicks are just as tough and resilient and disciplined. Not saying this is easy by any imagination, but fukk them nikkas. Let’s go knicks!!!

 

[K-Deini]

I hope it goes seven.

Indy has the edge in coaching -- slight -- and a notable edge in depth. These things sound like trump cards this time of year, but to this point the latter hasn't mattered for the Knicks. Right now, I'm saying Indiana just because they seem to have been playing more consistently in the playoffs.

I honestly couldn't care less who wins, though. I'd be cool with either side getting to the finals.



Boston went 4-0, convincingly, against the Knicks in the regular season. You saw what it got them when the money was on the line.

For sure but the person I quoted said why are knicks fans optimistic. That's it. Didn't say it meant this was an easy series. And the last game against celtics went to ot, which was the only game we had mitch and I don't think that's a coincidence either.

 

[avon barksdale]

 

[daemonova]

In the first year without Jordan, the NBA imposed a lockout on the players (as opposed to a strike) wich shortened the season to 50 games. Eight seeded Knicks barely made the playoffs facing #1 seed Miami. Knicks literally fought the Heat on the court, causing key players from the Heat to be suspended for the series. Next, they went down south and swept the higher seeded Hawks in front if happy transplant fans at the Georgia Dome. (Jordan had shut down the Omni the year before, a new arena was still being built).

You better ask a Pacers fan how the Knicks got by them in the conference finals without Patrick Ewing.

Finally, the Spurs put in end to this nonsense with a gentleman's sweep in the finals.

 

[BrehWyatt]

For sure but the person I quoted said why are knicks fans optimistic. That's it. Didn't say it meant this was an easy series. And the last game against celtics went to ot, which was the only game we had mitch and I don't think that's a coincidence either.

The Knicks should be optimistic and have everything they need to get to the Finals. I wouldn't be shocked if the Knicks beat them in 6 or 7, or if it went the other way.

To me, this is an ideal matchup for a conference finals. Both sides look healthy, styles clash with good coaching on both benches, notable postseason history... the NBA should be ecstatic, as should basketball fans.