NBA Executive, scout, and coach pick winner of Knicks vs. 76ers series

In what is now an annual series, The Athletic ($) published a bunch of anonymous interviews heading into the first round of the playoffs.

These interviews feature folks working for NBA franchises in three different roles, including a scout, an executive, and a coach.

Here is some of what they said about the upcoming Knicks vs. Sixers matchup and their picks for the series.

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Scout’s outlook

It’s going to be a long series. I just can’t see it being anything short of six games. These teams are too competitive.

The Sixers are going to need somebody else besides Maxey and Embiid. I’ll give them credit. They’ve done a good job.

The Knicks are tough. They’re mentally tough.

The Knicks have some interior presence to handle Joel Embiid a little bit. I mean, nobody’s really handled him. But Embiid did not look good (in the Play-In game). He looks like he’s lumbering.

Some would argue that not having Randle is a positive because he’s so ball dominant. It allows guys like Donte DiVencenzo to shine and be more in the flow of the offense.

Jalen Brunson is Jalen Brunson. Who’s going to guard him? Maxey can’t guard him. (Kyle) Lowry can’t guard him. I’m curious to see if they put Oubre on him, because Brunson’s the whole team (for New York) offensively. For the Knicks, the reverse side of not having Randle is they need another scorer.

Scout’s pick: Knicks in seven

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Coach’s Outlook

I think it’s going to be an old-school, grind-out series. The defense on both ends will be high level. Everything that will be in that series will be earned.

One key is obviously Joel’s health and his ability to play through whatever the series takes.

For the Knicks, I think a key for them will be having a secondary scorer.

Coach’s pick: Knicks in six

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Executive’s Outlook

I can’t believe New York decided to win that last game—by beating Chicago 120–119 in overtime in their regular-season finale on Sunday, the Knicks secured the No. 2 seed, and this eventual matchup with Philadelphia, rather than No. 3 seed Indiana—‘the Basketball Gods, this and that,’ but do you really want to face a fully healthy Philly team? Probably not.

This one is tough. This one can really go either way. I’ll go Sixers in seven.

New York is going to be playing tired, playing the way they’re playing. They are still small. They’re fighters, but they’re small. No Julius. They’ve got nobody for Embiid. Hartenstein is not going to do anything for Embiid.

Executive’s pick: Sixers in seven