Lucked out on that one. I agree Step. They don’t play a cohesive game. Part coach and part the pieces haven’t fit as expected.
Agree, it is both, but if I had to put more "blame" in one direction, I think it is more coaching than the players fitting. Yes, they are softer with Towns and Bridges, and yes Bridges really isn't a great fit with the roster makeup, they would be better off trading Bridges for a tough, defensive, rebounding, physical big over Bridges skill, but it is coaching as the # 1 issue to me. Watch them play, they are a low IQ team. They don't play their bench. They have very little structure, strategy, and seemingly have no plan. Their O is Brunson dribble for 18 seconds, and toss-up a shot, or pass to Towns who tosses up a shot. I think they are an extremely poorly coached team, with no plan. When they lose in 5 to Boston, Tibs 1000000000000% needs to be fired, and Bridges needs to be traded for a tough defensive big to pair with Towns. Then watch them go next season.
No surprise, the Celtics are a big favorite in the series, and rightfully so IMO: Boston is a -800 favorite at BetMGM, meaning the Knicks will need several advantageous bounces to fall their way to knock off the league’s reigning champions. The most likely outcome of the series, according to the bookies, is the Celtics winning in five games, with the gentleman’s sweep having +200 odds. A four-game ouster registers with +325 odds. I agree and think Boston wins in 5. This is a funny line I read (truer words have never been written): The Knicks have plenty of issues on the offensive side of the ball that coach Tom Thibodeau is unwilling — or unable — to fix.
Almost stole one. I dont watch NBA regular season that much anymore but NBA is now basically like a street basketball pickup game. Dribble, dribble, shoot two or three. Or one on one play pretty much 90% of the time.
that OT belonged to Bridges. Great win for the Knicks but Boston isnt going to continue missing shots like they did tonight.
Yes, have to tip your cap to the Knicks in this one. They battled back, if nothing else they are a team that never quits and continues to battle. Big win to steal a game on the road. I agree the Celts won't continue shooting like they did tonight, but I would hope the Knicks don't shoot 14-21 from the FT line (and that's minus Robinson's 3-10). I would also hope they don't get outrebounded by 10 and allow Boston to grab an amazing 19 O bounds. I also think the Knicks should get more from Towns, who was in foul trouble and only played 31 minutes (the team was a +6 with him on the court, he HAS to be smarter out there). To me both teams have things they can do better, including Tatum and Brunson both shooting a bit better. Overall, I think the what can/will each team do better bucket is almost even, maybe a little edge to Boston. Look, we all said it through the 1st round as well, the Knicks have talent, you cannot deny that. The issue has been as a team; they have not played up to their talent level as often as they should, especially against good teams (and questionable coaching). If the Knicks can play a controlled, smart, defensively focused, high IQ game I think this series can be competitive. They held Boston to 44 points in the 2nd half and OT, and it wasn't all Boston missing shots, the Knicks played very well, and tenaciously, on D. I'll also say Tibs did a good job with the bench tonight. Robinson and McBride need to each play 20 mpg +/- as they did tonight. You cannot play with 6 men or less, especially against deep Boston, Tibs needs to use at least 7 men. Bridges is a good well-rounded player, even when he isn't shooting well, he can impact the game on D. The "issue" with him here is the Knicks gave up FIVE 1st round picks for him, he is not a star player worth that package, and he isn't an ideal fit given the other players on the team. But he is a good to very good player, and he can impact the game in multiple ways, which is always a plus. At the very least, by winning tonight, the Knicks have made it interesting for the next few games. If they can win game 2 or 3, they put some pressure on Boston. Going to be near impossible to win game 2 I'd think, but you give it your best shot. And then hopefully can play well at home and win game 3. If the Knicks can get up 2-1, then you have a series. Right now, you have some mild curiosity to see if this game was a fluke, just like the Cavs getting beaten by the Pacers in game 1.
One other thing about the Celts, they live and die by the 3, that's their whole game. This is WAY easier said than done with their talent level and depth of shooters, but if the Knicks can stay home on D and play a smart game, they can make this a tougher series than many, including me, thought. Again, the Knicks have talent, and they have good defensive players on the wing in OG and Bridges, so they are capable. If Towns can stay on the court, and if by any chance Porzingis is out, that only adds to the potential opportunity. BTW, love Brunson of course, along with him, OG is my favorite Knick, I am a huge fan of his all-around game.
