DLeethal wrote:That said, I think we can beat PHI and MIA but we are prob going into either series an underdog as a 2 seed

This team will love it if we are considered the under dog. If we lose it won't be for lack of effort it will be because Randall missed the series. We have a core from Villanova of players that play to win. The intangibles mean we will scrap like I Hart diving to knock a loose ball to a teammate, or Josh Hart getting a rebound from a 7 footer or DDV playing 53 minutes, or Deuce emerging from the bench and making IQ and Grimes expendable to be a three and D demon, Precious and Bogs to play when asked to and come up with key plays and Mitch coming back when we all thought his season was over to offer **** protection and rebounds off the bench. A week off and it's on like Donkey Kong.

NYStateOfMind wrote:What kind of message did the Bucks & Cavs send to Giannis and Mitchell, by throwing their seed position? IMO it isn't about being your best, it is taking the easier road and hoping that leads you where you want to get. Do you think Kobe, MJ, Magic, Bird, and other legends thought this way? It's a pathetic loser mentality.

Instead, you do your best, take on the challenge, and bring it. Like the Knicks chose. I even respect that the Bulls played so hard, that is what teams trying to be their best do. Sure, rest legit injured players, but giving away games is a joke, and should be fined. The Bucks tanked for over a week. Cavs you would think would have wanted to aim for the 2 seed to wipe away last year's embarrassment, but they are punks. I'm sure DM wants out even more now and Giannis, barring a chip or deep run will have growing doubts about his future in Milwaukee. Imagine the optics now on the Knicks franchise league-wide, real dogs want in.

I'm so damn proud of our boys. Great season. Sure they have a few areas to work on for the playoffs, and losing Randle sucks, but I know for sure, they will go out swinging to bring home the trophy. Let's shock the world, Mecca time.

I think there’s some merit to what you are saying but most of it is fluff. Teams tank all the time for various reasons. It all gets forgotten and none of it will linger when CLE tips off vs ORL and MIL vs IND. Mavs tanked their way out of playoffs last year so they didn’t give us a pick. No one cares anymore and no one looks at them as some loser org they don’t want to play for as a result. Knicks are getting good press because they played through but once the series all start none of that chatter will matter anymore.

I know Thibs' methods sometime make him a punching bag.... but his methods here are exactly what we wanted to happen. I mean, anyone remember 2007-08 when the Giants could've rested their guys against the Patriots? At the time everyone said it was dumb but well IT MADE THEM BATTLE SHARP HEADING INTO THE PLAYOFFS

I want these guys to have the attitude of their foot being on our opponent's neck from tipoff to final buzzer