I want you to be right but I don't see it

Nalod wrote:
Its a nice thought to think we can make a run to the finals.
We do have the potential.
The '99 team? Different era and Earnie had constructed a team around speed to which JVG struggled coaching.
Similarities are new faces and chemistry needing to gel.
JVG getting to finals enacted a 2 year extension at 2mm per year which put him in the upper pay scale 25 years ago!
That was no typical 8th seed as they had the roster.
Im not sure this years team really underperformed like the 99' did. We have a yucky vibe as we did what most good teams do, can't do well vs. elite, beat the snot out of the losing teams, go about .500 vs teams at .500.
In the age of parity perhaps we did pretty good. Not great but around here its about fan expectations often than not setting the tone.

Not getting out of second round has a lot to do with Boston and Clev being there. 60 win teams healthy waiting there is not about "Knicks can't get out of second round" or hitting its ceiling. Its about a better team.
We got to within 2 games of boston but we got some injuries and they found another gear.

As for Thibs getting canned if we go out in the first round? As said by others: "Lets see whats broken and then what needs to be fixed". If its coaching schematics or he lost the confidence of the core roster than its a consideration. Its Disrespectful to simply say "fire the coach" until such disclosure.

Thats my take. Predication? Knicks in 5.

Surface level, there are some similarities between the '99 Knicks and this team....but the odds are against us making a run in the playoffs similar to the '99 team. Riley always managed to get those Heat teams to overachive but we matched up well against them. The Hawks, our second round match-up is nowhere near the same level as the Celts who are probably the favorites to win a chip....

However, I do think some of the narrarives surrounding this team can change even if we bow-out vs the Celts...The Knick players and teams that we fell in love with all made names for themselves in the playoffs. If we are able to beat the pistons and show some grit and fight against the Celts and push them, the vibes will feel different at the end of the playoffs vs how most are feeling now, at the end of the regular season.

Philc1 wrote:1999 was fun

1999 playoffs were fun....but mamy fans and local journalist were frustrated with the wsy they underachievef in the regular season. Imagine if ultimateknicks were a thing during the 99 regular season?

Personally I don't see any similarities. Knicks were maybe 4 games off fans predictions? Based on what? Emotions? love? circle jerking?
We all know that 1999 team had underperformed and finished 6-2 to get into playoffs by a single game over the next team.
No drama here getting into playoffs or the seeding.

Panos wrote:

Nalod wrote:Not even close except Rick Brunson was on the team and Thibs was an assistant. Strike short season knicks were 27-23
Offense was 26th in the league, but its defense was 4th.
Knicks were the 5th best team in the NBA this year. 13th in 1999.

Personally I don't see any similarities. Knicks were maybe 4 games off fans predictions? Based on what? Emotions? love? circle jerking?
We all know that 1999 team had underperformed and finished 6-2 to get into playoffs by a single game over the next team.
No drama here getting into playoffs or the seeding.

Based on they were supposed to have gotten better with KAT and Bridges, and last year saw many injuries.

our bench was early seen as a problem. It was.