Knicks · WE HERE! ECF GAME 1 Thread - 5/21 8:00 TNT (page 17)

VDesai wrote:Knicks can, and I think will still win this series, but nothing will stop that from being probably the most improbable loss/comeback in sports history. Even if we make it a footnote it will be played over and over again. Up 14 with less than 3 min to go should be insurmountable in today's NBA. Even in the age of 40 pt quarters, scoring 20 pts in 3 mins shouldn't be mathematically possible.

There were so many mistakes made. But probably more good / slightly improbably shots made than mistakes.

Team needs to clean up when it can clean up. Brunson should have used the clock when up 5 with 29 seconds to go instead of trying to make that pass to OG with 20 on the shot clock. You gotta make them foul you or get it to under 10 seconds left. If we're up 5 with under 10 seconds left, that's an even more improbable come back.

In general Brunson was careless with the ball or got himself into bad spots at the end of the game. He knows he needs to be better to close that out.

Guys have to make free throws.

OG played off Nesmith on at least two occasions and shouldn't have allowed him enough space to be shooting 3's in a situation where only 3's can kill you.

There were some blown calls. A non-call goal tend when that would have made it +6, and then its a 3 the other way. Haven't they changed goaltending calls after the fact this year? Why didn't they pause to take a look at that? That was a huge play that could have given the Knicks the edge.

The OG/Siakam play never should've happened (Brunson should have dribbled out the ball, use the clock or let them foul him). However, even if you want to say Siakam makes clean initial contact, its a clear loose ball foul after that. He grabs the Jersey and uses his legs to knock OG off balance. How can you overturn the foul on that. Was a BRUTAL interpretation.

Haliburton gets the world's most insane bounce. Only comparable bounce was Kawhi, but I mean this shot was back rim and goes straight up in the air 6 feet...almost impossible from a physics standpoint. Should have been a brick. But EVERYTHING was going in for Indy at that point. Never seen anything like it in my life.

It was like Maxey's comeback in Game 5 last year but on a 5x scale.

Check the OG play again. Siakam was pushing OG with his lower hand that should have been enough to maintain the foul call

The real sin was not covering the 3 point line better. Given the time it was pacers only hope to hit threes and get turnovers.

After sleeping on this epic loss, Im still in shock that we are part of the biggest choke job in NBA playoff history. Thats what we witnessed last night.

Not even a little upset at Haliburton because thats what we had coming for handing them the game on a silver platter.

I dont know what to say about Thibs. One minute it looks like he's taken his game to another level, and another minute...

I still believe Thibs will be back, but a sweep might give Leon pause. If we lose the series Im guessing Leon tries to upgrade the bench, and gives Thibs another chance at a playoff run.

Next game Im hoping for Brunson to do a better job of knowing what the opposing D is up to. Keep his head up, and not get caught in traps, and turn the ball over.

KAT can stop complaining to the refs. OG and Bridges cant disappear like they did last night.

I'm a little worried about OG. He did spark the run when Brunson went out in the 4th. But ever since that hammy strain he's seemed off. Just has a look about him that is someone who is not confident or injured. He's botched two layups since then that are indicative of someone who either reaggravated a hammy OR felt like he was about to reaggravate it so he bailed on the layup. He's also had some peculiar defense close outs where he just simply gave up on them. First play of the game was one of them. It's like he just freezes in time because he feels his hammy act up or something.

Man looks like Haliburton double dribbled on that last play. Fumbled it and picks it up ... could have also been a reach in foul on Bridges

Still a little numb from last night. A lot of calls went against us but if we convert some easy plays we win. OG fumbled break away layup. Brunson spiking a pass to OG and OG not securing it. Then refs overturning it. Siakam was pushing off with the left hand and even grabbed a lot of jersey. WTF were they looking at? All the missed FTs. I mean from everyone.

Chandler wrote:Nalod you’re an idiot. There’s no fixing that

I said Hali played well. My point is he was classless and your defense of him last year trying to explain away the sweatshirt in that context was, and remains, idiotic. And in terms of manning up,you should be fessing up that you were wrong about that

This year he has confirmed he’s a punk

You’re also an idiot for thinking Hali somehow earned it. Nesmith earned it in the 4th and nembhard in OT. Hali’s shot was lucky

Last year karma repaid his game 7 gloating w a Celtics sweep. Hoping karma is tuned in again.

Seems you recall more my comment about the sweatshirt last year than I do. Was I staunchly defending it or just said it was part of the drama of it all? But it really bothers you. The only silver lining in last night is laughing at your response to it all. You hated that sweatshirt and he backed it up. Lucky you say? Yes, but history has lots of rim bouncing shots that changed things. I never thought of the sweatshirt or you until you bought it up. Thank for the levity after that loss.

Knicksfan wrote:

VDesai wrote:Knicks can, and I think will still win this series, but nothing will stop that from being probably the most improbable loss/comeback in sports history. Even if we make it a footnote it will be played over and over again. Up 14 with less than 3 min to go should be insurmountable in today's NBA. Even in the age of 40 pt quarters, scoring 20 pts in 3 mins shouldn't be mathematically possible.

There were so many mistakes made. But probably more good / slightly improbably shots made than mistakes.

Team needs to clean up when it can clean up. Brunson should have used the clock when up 5 with 29 seconds to go instead of trying to make that pass to OG with 20 on the shot clock. You gotta make them foul you or get it to under 10 seconds left. If we're up 5 with under 10 seconds left, that's an even more improbable come back.

In general Brunson was careless with the ball or got himself into bad spots at the end of the game. He knows he needs to be better to close that out.

Guys have to make free throws.

OG played off Nesmith on at least two occasions and shouldn't have allowed him enough space to be shooting 3's in a situation where only 3's can kill you.

There were some blown calls. A non-call goal tend when that would have made it +6, and then its a 3 the other way. Haven't they changed goaltending calls after the fact this year? Why didn't they pause to take a look at that? That was a huge play that could have given the Knicks the edge.

The OG/Siakam play never should've happened (Brunson should have dribbled out the ball, use the clock or let them foul him). However, even if you want to say Siakam makes clean initial contact, its a clear loose ball foul after that. He grabs the Jersey and uses his legs to knock OG off balance. How can you overturn the foul on that. Was a BRUTAL interpretation.

Haliburton gets the world's most insane bounce. Only comparable bounce was Kawhi, but I mean this shot was back rim and goes straight up in the air 6 feet...almost impossible from a physics standpoint. Should have been a brick. But EVERYTHING was going in for Indy at that point. Never seen anything like it in my life.

It was like Maxey's comeback in Game 5 last year but on a 5x scale.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS, but just one quick thought. Media and everyone will keep pushing the biggest comeback and all that ish and it’s right, but at the same time, this isn’t the same NBA as most of those games. For however we hate Thibs for leaving his starters in on lopsided wins, this was exactly the nightmare he has always feared: a team with nothing to lose and a clear idea of just chucking threes hoping for luck to strike. But that is also why I have more issues with Thibs: if this is your nightmare scenario, how come you don’t prepare for it with a good plan? We played horribly with the lead in the 4th. There was no defensive plan for that.

To sum it up, yes it hurts and it’s historic, but this was the real version of anyone who has played NBA live, trailing by a lot and making sure those 3s keep hitting to make the comeback. Thibs and Co. were not prepared at all.

Oh, and I have to add: I honestly don’t know who is more frustrating as a player: OG or Bridges. Both are so crucial in wins, but in every loss there is usually one or both who disappears. For all his demands for his contract, OG has a disappearing act that I really hate! Those free throws, man…

OG was super sketchy down the stretch. He seemed to be the one guy really playing tight

OG also made a huge step back 3 and a big layup that I think pushed the lead to 17. But he really messed up down the stretch. Looks like lapsed on Nesmith twice...played him to drive and gave him too much room to shoot.

I'M SITTING HERE ANGRY AND I CAN'T GET ANY WORK DONE! HOW THE FUCK DID WE LOSE THIS DAMN GAME!!!

SergioNYK wrote:I'M SITTING HERE ANGRY AND I CAN'T GET ANY WORK DONE! HOW THE FUCK DID WE LOSE THIS DAMN GAME!!!

Same here. What an unproductive day.

Also I question why we gave a quick foul on Nesmith after the KAT missed FT when OG was literally on top of him and would have had a great contest on that shot, but Nesmith's foot was also OOB on that play and not called.

Just an avalanche of things had to occur.

I don't think I will ever feel warm again.

Leaving this hear. Have it on replay. They only gonna analyze the last two minutes of overtime or of the 4th quarter also... hitting refresh til they post it. Complete sham job on the reffing but we left that 3 unprotected and didn't get bailed out by poor shooting.

https://official.nba.com/2024-25-nba-off...

Why is it that none of our non-primary scorers have HUGE historic games at opportune moments? Hell, when is the last time KAT had a monster game?

I think we still beat them. Straight threes, a lucky bounce and brain freeze by the team.

My only worry is they fell asleep last 3 minutes especially on 3 defense.

I hope Thibs and the media rip them a new one so that it becomes trauma.

Oh..I think we rattle off 4 straight. Knicks in 5

Panos wrote:Why is it that none of our non-primary scorers have HUGE historic games at opportune moments? Hell, when is the last time KAT had a monster game?

There is an information bias in your question. For example, what defines an "opportune moment" - is it a game when we are within 5? And what is a "monster game". Is it when Brunson is out and OG and Mikal go on a tear to replace his usage? Or are we just asking for KAT to be a beast?

Does it count where four starters score 20+ points and the 5th starter has a triple double? That's a pretty monster game. Cause that happened to close out the Celtics last week. Probably the first time in NBA history.

EwingsGlass wrote:

Panos wrote:Why is it that none of our non-primary scorers have HUGE historic games at opportune moments? Hell, when is the last time KAT had a monster game?

There is an information bias in your question. For example, what defines an "opportune moment" - is it a game when we are within 5? And what is a "monster game". Is it when Brunson is out and OG and Mikal go on a tear to replace his usage? Or are we just asking for KAT to be a beast?

Does it count where four starters score 20+ points and the 5th starter has a triple double? That's a pretty monster game. Cause that happened to close out the Celtics last week. Probably the first time in NBA history.

Nesmith, a player that averages 16.0 PPG had 30 points (nearly double his average), including EIGHT OF NINE from 3pt, including FIVE OF FIVE in the 4th quarter.
I think its pretty clear that is a Monster Game. "Opportune moment" in this case is when your team is losing the first game of the ECF.
I will admit, that until now, I didn't realize that his 3pt % is 54% on the year followed by Nembhart at 51%??? WTF?
For the record, Josh Hart led the Knicks at 40%.

EwingsGlass wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

DLeethal wrote:I’m sick but just gotta move onto the next. Split at home like we did against DET then take care of business on the road. There are lots of good signs from last night despite an epic meltdown in the last couple minutes. A deep playoff run is going to filled with misery and victory. Winning the next game is the only cure for this meltdown.

Losers cry about what could have been.
Winners learn from their mistakes and get to work on winning the next one.
Yes, that was the worst loss of the year but for 46 minutes we were in control and playing great basketball. It took a couple of guys going into video game mode and some shitty non calls.
But KAT, Bridges and IB showed up strong and the Bench played well. OG struggled a bit but hit some big shots.
Now we know what the Celts felt like after the first game. Key will be to not follow suit in the second game!
Like the Celts series, felt that if they stayed healthy and played to their ability, they would win the series. Think we proved the first 46 that we are the better team. No one said it would be easy.
Hit some more FT’s, keep attacking for 48 minutes and we will win the series!!

It’s the hope that kills you.

I do really think we will win the series. Maybe easier than some think.
Fact is, we took the foot off the pedal. Took some bad shots.
But most of all, and I said it after the replacement crew of the Celts had a good game 5, guys on the Pacers were shooting at rates they can’t maintain. I mean Nesmith was taking 28 foot jump shots with a 40inch vertical. He shot close to 90%. Don’t see him maintaining that. Think they hit 7 out of their last 8 threes. And contrary to what some feel, several were heavily contested. Hali hit that shot over MR, who almost blocked it before it dropped from Indiana heaven.

Best to forget this loss. One of Worst in Knicks history.
I Say Martin locks this piece of shit memory and we start posting some positive thoughts on tomorrows game thread!

Panos wrote:Why is it that none of our non-primary scorers have HUGE historic games at opportune moments? Hell, when is the last time KAT had a monster game?

Brunson has had more than you can count lol

KAT had a monster game last night and also had insane clutch game winning buckets vs DET in game 3.

Knicks have had massive comebacks and late run and late game heroics all over these playoffs, last night we got a taste of our own medicine. But let's not act like we've had no magic of our own during these playoffs.

VDesai wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

NYStateOfMind wrote:For the ref to say anything after the block didn't matter is total BS. He was holding OG down by his jersey, so how did he even have a chance to get the rebound, how about a jump ball morons.

VDesai wrote:That challenge decision was wrong and the missed goaltend was huge

Come on man OG (Mr Butterfingers) bobbled the initial pass for an easy dunk —- no way we were getting that call especially after Siakim make clean initial block and OG fell to the floor like 5 year old girl.

.
Why did Brunson even pass it? You are up 5 with the clock on your side. Just hold the ball and make them foul you. I dont know why he gave him the ball

But there is arm contact and leg contact and he holds the jersey. To not hold up the foul or at least call a loose ball foul is crazy

Agree - Brunson was brutal with the ball last night - 7 TO's, completely dominating the ball, falling all over trying to dribble the ball across 1/2 court. YES - Brunson is our leader and he put up +40 but his play style when he completely dominates the ball and at the same time is sloppy as hell is a large issue. His D was an abomination as well - same for Kat outside of a few plays.

He shouldn't have passed = probably shouldn't have ever got that deep but OG come on man - how about OG break-away clanked layup like a 5th grader first learning what a layup is (WTF?).

I thought Siakim makes a legit clean block on the ball (1) and after that there was some incidental loose ball contact that we just were not going to get. Now if the teams were reversed sure the Pacers are at the line - NO DOUBT.