nycericanguy wrote:I will say I dont think ive ever seen Brunson get stripped as many times as he did in that 4th. only had 3 TO's but it felt like alot more. a bit concerning how much he struggling against ATL's pressure.

he'll probably go for 40 on 12-18 next game and I still think we win in 5 but concerning because defenses will only get better.

Looked like there were always 4 defenders collapsed into the paint on Brunson drives. Either our spacing was bad or they are saying you can’t beat us with the 3 ball. Maybe they just recovery out to shooters very fast. I didn’t see a lot of open looks.

nycericanguy wrote:I'm not one to blame coaches but there were several things that really irked me in this game. Deuce is NOT a PG, love him but he's never been a PG and that's why he won't command a huge contract as some seem to think. It was clear he could not handle the on ball pressure in that 2nd quarter, yet Brown not only left him in there way too long but he had him as the primary ball handler. Took him way too long to pivot to Clarkson and Jose to handle the ball.

2nd, he kept playing a lineup without either KAT or Brunson even though KAT has been feasting without Brunson of late, and even though that unit was struggling to get ANYTHING going. It was clear ONE of those guys should have been in there at all times.

3rd, somehow late in the 4th we allowed ATL to get Brunson guarding CJ almost EVERY SINGLE TIME, I was screaming at my TV to make sure we got someone else on him, yet all it took was a simple screen and Brunson was guarding CJ every single damn time and getting cooked. No adjustment there at all.

Up 12 going in the 4th, that's a choke job and something this team should have learned from already.

We were much too complacent.

Right now the truth is CJ has been the best player on the court these 2 games and he's winning the Brunson matchup.

Truth

Chandler wrote:

Uptown wrote:tonight 4th quarter looked similar to the 4th quarter of game 2 last year vs. the Pistons. Lots of standing around and watching Brunson dribble the air out of the ball...Hopefully we bounce back like we did last year

I think we will. We have been a bit Jekyll and Hyde this year, but when we're good we're very, very good. Hopefully this has them lock in. KAT needs to touch the ball. JB is great but needs to get over himself

It's not about bouncing back it is literally about the cumulative effect of having to grind out EXTRA GAMES rather than taking care of business (we got outscored by 13 F-ing points in the 4th quarter at home after having the most dominant 4th record in the league).

Now even if you win this series in 5 -- you still added an extra game for potential wear/tear or even a key injury. OG seems about ready to blow physically - can barely walk without calamity.

How the hell are we allowing pretty much washed-up thrown into multiple trades CJ McCollum walk all over us while Brunson guards him?

BlueKnickers wrote:Woke up this morning
Asked myself:
Was it really as bad as everyone thought it was?
Drink some coffee
Hmmmmm, tastes good
Yes, yes it was as bad as everyone says it was

Hawks were probably the toughest opponent for us of the 3 teams that were going in and out of the 6th seed. Said it before it’s likely a 6 or 7 game series.

I really hope Knicks fans show up to ATL tomorrow night like they did in the regular season.

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:Yep

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/benritholtznba/status/2046423507358155125

But hold on - that Deuce/Shamet/Clarkson/OG/Mitch line-up has been the NORMAL line-up since we benched Jose for incompetence weeks ago.

It's not like Brown just pulled this one out last 2 games and outside of Kolek we STILL DON'T have a got-damm PG off the bench after 1,000 years. UNBELIEVABLE that in what is supposed to be pinnacle season the front office determined GTA would be their target AND nobody realized he's NOT A PG and he can't make a shot. As fans we see the guy and think oh ok - tough little guy has to be a PG but front office paid $MMM to know the league and understand players strengths.

I conclude we have to give Kolek minutes and we have to give MO-D minutes - his shooting has gone south but his length, driving and passing are ALL superior to Deuce/Shamet. Kolek at least opens up Mikal/OG/Kat -- something nobody else other than Hart seems capable of.

Agree but you have to pivot in the game. What worked for 2 weeks to end the year might not work against a playoff opponent. It was clear as day in the first half that unit was performing awfully against ATL's pressure. They took a game that looked like it was en route to a blowout W and let ATL back into it. We built the same lead again, and they blew it again. The bench minutes should have put the game away yesterday instead of giving up a big lead twice. We are way deeper than they are, putting 4 bench guys + OG/Mikal versus their staggered rotations gives them the bench unit advantage against us.

Rookie wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:I will say I dont think ive ever seen Brunson get stripped as many times as he did in that 4th. only had 3 TO's but it felt like alot more. a bit concerning how much he struggling against ATL's pressure.

he'll probably go for 40 on 12-18 next game and I still think we win in 5 but concerning because defenses will only get better.

Looked like there were always 4 defenders collapsed into the paint on Brunson drives. Either our spacing was bad or they are saying you can’t beat us with the 3 ball. Maybe they just recovery out to shooters very fast. I didn’t see a lot of open looks.

Playing double big + Hart certainly doesn’t help

Everyone will disagree but:
1. Brunson, KAT and Hart entered with 7:56 left and Knicks up by 9. Bench was bad (particularly offensive initiating) but as Towns noted, bench wasn't on the floor when they lost this.
2. Can nitpick timeout use -- maybe a possession earlier and you don't call one at 2:43 after Bridges steal. But had 1 at 10 seconds, worked out perfect. Didn't have one at the end and instead of getting a set play they got a good look from Bridges. He missed. Happens. Brunson missed a lot in the 4th, too, OG blew 2 possessions in final 3 minutes, KAT and Hart were scoreless in the 4Q and Brunson has uncharacteristically struggled against defense focused on stopping him. Maybe he gets the ball and scores with Daniels/NAW doing everything they can to get it out of his hands - or maybe he gets doubled and someone gets a hand grenade with 1 second left.
3. Just make open shots and free throws and you're not in that position. Oh, and someone defend CJ.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/SbondyNBA/status/2046618192567545872

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:I think it would be wise to play more Jose than Deuce this series and even playing Jose with Brunson more. They are loading up at the point of attack and we need more ball handling out there. That was evident the entire game even while we had a lead.

Kolek. I'd go Kolek for real

Or deuce w Jalen. At least deuce can hit a shot. Could also have mikal or hart

Smarter still pass the ball up court rather than dribble. Mimic Celtics

Trying to dribble up and bait for fouls just plays into their hands. Tires out Jalen, turnovers, disrupts any flow