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VDesai wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:I really dont even question or get caught up in things like who starts, or who ends games, rotations..etc... I mean Precious started, then Deuce, and I dont give it much thought these days b/c I know Thibs has thought of every possible angle.

It wasn't just that Deuce started, but more how he was used which was different than the rest of the series. They did guard-guard pick and roll and Deuce was relentless in screening for Brunson, which gave Brunson more space. Deuce also started on Haliburton instead of being matched up with McConnell and it was a revelation as his defense was far more effective. That gives him the confidence to shoot and score. Obviously giving Brunson another shooter outlet is a big help in freeing him up offensively. That no look set up to Deuce for 3 was a sweet, sweet play.

i mean of course not... truth be told the starters came out and fell behind 16-9 early. People get too caught up in who starts but end of day the guys that played, played well and Thibs obviously made alot of adjusments.

But really all that being said, it was Brunson being Brunson again that won the game.

nycericanguy wrote:Knicks might be the best coached and most prepared team in the NBA. To think people were wanting Thibs fired b/c of Cam reddish...lol

Something they mentioned during the game struck me. 4 of the starters last night were not starters when the season began. I can't imagine that has ever happened before with a team on the cusp of making the ECF. I think that says a lot about coaching and preparation. It also says a lot about the mindset of the players.

I would also add that our starting forwards last night are both listed at 6'4". Our starting guards at 6'1". We outrebounded the pacers 53-29. Can we just stare at that fact for a moment?

Clean wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:Brunson being back to normal, and getting production from Miles who has been silent, and Burks continuing to provide a spark is why we won.

And of course, Ihart... best game i've ever seen him play. Turner hit those 3's on him but other than that Ihart was just dominate.

And Burks... I mean he's come out of nowhere. Thought he was washed but he can still score and he's been a huge blessing.

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You think Precious is making that shot? Now they have to actually account for defending McBride outside. This was a bad defensive play but if it ended with Precious in the same position Mcbride was in it would be considered a good defensive play. Spacing matters.

Are you saying rebounding, defending with length and rim protection don’t matter?

I could highlight 12 I-Hart offensive rebounds or Precious swatting Nesmith at the rim to ignite fast break buckets.

I think easy conclusion is EVERYTHING matters small and big along with spacing or going large.

For me Brunson looked like he was coming off 3 or 4 day rest — not sure where that comes from but his movement, passing and decision making were sharp. In Indy he was moving like he was comatose.

VDesai wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:

VDesai wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:I really dont even question or get caught up in things like who starts, or who ends games, rotations..etc... I mean Precious started, then Deuce, and I dont give it much thought these days b/c I know Thibs has thought of every possible angle.

It wasn't just that Deuce started, but more how he was used which was different than the rest of the series. They did guard-guard pick and roll and Deuce was relentless in screening for Brunson, which gave Brunson more space. Deuce also started on Haliburton instead of being matched up with McConnell and it was a revelation as his defense was far more effective. That gives him the confidence to shoot and score. Obviously giving Brunson another shooter outlet is a big help in freeing him up offensively. That no look set up to Deuce for 3 was a sweet, sweet play.

i mean of course not... truth be told the starters came out and fell behind 16-9 early. People get too caught up in who starts but end of day the guys that played, played well and Thibs obviously made alot of adjusments.

But really all that being said, it was Brunson being Brunson again that won the game.

But I think a lot goes into Brunson being Brunson. Obviously no.1 for that is health, but then a good amount comes down to the actions of the team around him to free him up and this adjustment with Deuce was massive.

Brunson looked much fresher, he looked hobbled for 2 games. I think he just got rest and now he has 2 more days rest, I expect him to finish the job in G6.

Game 4 was just an anomaly, we've been competitive every game these playoffs.

nycericanguy wrote:if COTY included playoffs Thibs would easily win it. he's had a case for COTY 3 of his 4 seasons here.

And all the negatives about him are old narratives, he's really a modern coach, much more so than I thought.

Its all about good shots, defense, playing every second of every possession... and winning. But Thibs trusts his guys and they know it and will lay in traffic for him. We got a good thing going here

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