EnySpree wrote:I remember when the trend was teams couldn't win with a high usage pgs. There were alot of great point guards in the 90s and Early 2000s. None of them won.

Basketball is different now

newyorknewyork wrote:Scoring first PGs always seemed to get the edge in the playoffs over pass first PGs.

Some of the best PG's were scoring PG's in college or early in their career.....ex: Steve Nash.

You have to be a threat to score.

BRIGGS wrote:Each team has a high usage high scoring PG.

Kyle Lowry 21 points 4-6
R Westbrook 23-8-10
Kyrie Irving 20-3-5
S Curry 30-5-7

I agree with this premise - I made a similar post about the second round teams. Look at the teams who lost in the second round -

Damien Lillard
Tony Parker
Goran Dragic
Jeff Teague / Dennis Schroeder

All high level PGs.

In fact you could even say that in every series so far the team that has gotten better PG play has won. Lowry is pulling Toronto back against Cleveland with his improved play.

Chandler wrote:
Sounds nice, but here are the finalists in the last 20 years. Not sure it's the key ingredient it's being made out to be. Other than Steph last year, who am I missing (Tony Parker?)

2015 Golden State Warriors 4-2 Cleveland Cavaliers
2014 San Antonio Spurs 4-1 Miami Heat
2013 Miami Heat 4-3 San Antonio Spurs
2012 Miami Heat 4-1 Oklahoma City Thunder
2011 Dallas Mavericks 4-2 Miami Heat
2010 Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 Boston Celtics
2009 Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 Orlando Magic
2008 Boston Celtics 4-2 Los Angeles Lakers
2007 San Antonio Spurs 4-0 Cleveland Cavaliers
2006 Miami Heat 4-2 Dallas Mavericks
2005 San Antonio Spurs 4-3 Detroit Pistons
2004 Detroit Pistons 4-1 Los Angeles Lakers
2003 San Antonio Spurs 4-2 New Jersey Nets
2002 Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 New Jersey Nets
2001 Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 Philadelphia 76ers
2000 Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 Indiana Pacers
1999 San Antonio Spurs 4-1 New York Knicks
1998 Chicago Bulls 4-2 Utah Jazz
1997 Chicago Bulls 4-2 Utah Jazz
1996 Chicago Bulls 4-2 Seattle SuperSonics
1995 Houston Rockets 4-0 Orlando Magic

Chauncey Billups was Finals MVP in 2004. And Tony Parker was one of the best, most underrated players in the league when he was in his prime. John Stockton made back to back Finals against the Bulls, Gary Payton before him. Jason Kidd made back to back Finals and then guided to Dirk to his only ring. Rondo for the Celtics. Lebron James essentially plays the role of PG on his teams. Take out those and you're left with the Triangle teams, basically.

Point guard play has always been important - but I do agree with Briggs that it has been magnified by the way the league plays now.

Not saying that's the only way to play. In fact, if you don't have Russ Westbrook or Steph Curry, it may not be a good idea to try to play that way right now... but it is certainly notable.

crzymdups wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Each team has a high usage high scoring PG.

Kyle Lowry 21 points 4-6
R Westbrook 23-8-10
Kyrie Irving 20-3-5
S Curry 30-5-7

I agree with this premise - I made a similar post about the second round teams. Look at the teams who lost in the second round -

Damien Lillard
Tony Parker
Goran Dragic
Jeff Teague / Dennis Schroeder

All high level PGs.

In fact you could even say that in every series so far the team that has gotten better PG play has won. Lowry is pulling Toronto back against Cleveland with his improved play.

D.Lilliard is high level but the other 3 are a step below

newyorker4ever wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:

Chandler wrote:i thought it was because each of the teams is stacked -- silly me

+1. It doesn't have anything to do with PGs as much as every position is solid.
Where we thought Toronto was lacking...it turned out they weren't that bad at all. Biyomboooooooo

And it looks like they're getting J.Valanciunas back tonight so hopefully that will help and hurt since he'll be taking some minutes from Biyombo.

JV was already back last game (officially). He already stated that he does not want to start and does not want to mess with Biyombos success.

I guess this a great problem to have.

nixluva wrote:Knicks are headed towards being a well balanced team. They've got the makings of a very good Frontcourt and now just need to focus on adding the Dynamic guards and wings needed to really function at a higher level. They've got a good shot at landing some guards and wings this summer. Still IMO this team is headed towards being a balanced team.

That's all you can ask for. Chemistry and coaching will take care of the rest.

I'm not trying to find the next Jordan or the next Shaq. I'm not trying to sign a big three like Miami. I'm not trying to play small ball and have centers and power fwds shooting 6 three's a game. I'm not gonna follow the media and talk about the "modern game" just because one team is winning by shooting a million 3s a game.

All I want is a balanced team. However that works out so be it. So far our particular team is taking shape. We're closer than most of you give credit