2024-25 NBA Season / Playoffs

[Cusefan0307]

I think the Knicks are in trouble. Pistons have been the better team for 7 of 8 periods.

Too much Brunson ISO ball. I didn't like the Towns trade when it happened and like it even less now. They feel further away than they were last year.

 

[Newhouser]

The Pistons had the 6th greatest turnaround in NBA history. I find theirs more impressive than the top two on this list. The first was just building an off-season super team, and the second was simply due to David Robinson being injured and coming back with Duncan.

• *2007-08 Boston Celtics: 42-win increase (24 to 66).
• 1997-98 San Antonio Spurs: 36 (20 to 56).
• 1989-90 San Antonio Spurs: 35 (21 to 56).
• 2004-05 Phoenix Suns: 33 (29 to 62).
• 1979-80 Boston Celtics: 32 (29 to 61).
• **2024-25 Detroit Pistons: 29 (14 to 43).
• 1969-70 Milwaukee Bucks: 29 (27 to 56).

Kareem with Milwaukee, Bird, Robinson and Duncan for 4 of those.

Pistons is even more impressive to me because they really just changed culture. Cade is great but he isn't Kareem, Bird or TD

 

[Newhouser]

Too much Brunson ISO ball. I didn't like the Towns trade when it happened and like it even less now. They feel further away than they were last year.

It takes them too long to get the ball in the frontcourt. By the time they have the pick set for Brunson he really is stuck for options up against the clock. I too think they iso too much but KAT has to demand some shots.

 

[shandeezy7]

It takes them too long to get the ball in the frontcourt. By the time they have the pick set for Brunson he really is stuck for options up against the clock. I too think they iso too much but KAT has to demand some shots.

They need to actually run some plays to get KAT in good positions. Seems like any time they actually get him the ball, he's "posting up" 20 feet from the basket. We've replaced playoff Randle iso ball with playoff Brunson iso ball and neither will ever get you anywhere meaningful.

 

[Cusefan0307]

They need to actually run some plays to get KAT in good positions. Seems like any time they actually get him the ball, he's "posting up" 20 feet from the basket. We've replaced playoff Randle iso ball with playoff Brunson iso ball and neither will ever get you anywhere meaningful.

Thibs is going to Thibs. I think they likely need a coaching change to get to the next step.

 

[shandeezy7]

Thibs is going to Thibs. I think they likely need a coaching change to get to the next step.

Since they have no chance of winning another series even if they do get by the Pistons, part of me would be very ok with them getting the first-round boot and potentially forcing Dolan to make that move. I doubt it happens, though. The Knicks are kind of like the Bills in the sense that they were so bad for so long, that just being very good is enough to keep folks satisfied for a while. Eventually, though, something has to happen to make that next step, or else it's all wasted.

 

[Melancer46]

My guess would be that the Knicks respond and win the series, but no doubt Detroit has kinda punched them in the mouth through two games and the Knicks have mostly responded to the physicality by just flopping more.

Not getting Towns any touches when Duren was badly struggling with fouls was a weird choice.

As someone that has enjoyed watching the Pistons all year, this is exactly how I was hoping they'd look in the playoffs but we'll see. I just think the Knicks are better but they haven't played like it yet.

 

[DoctahLexus]

Masterclass from Kawhi last night. It is huge for the sport to have him back at 100%. I thought it would never happen.

 

[Newhouser]

Masterclass from Kawhi last night. It is huge for the sport to have him back at 100%. I thought it would never happen.

It was great to be reminded how he could just dictate his game no matter the situation. Guy is a beast.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Masterclass from Kawhi last night. It is huge for the sport to have him back at 100%. I thought it would never happen.

His best game in 6 years.

 

[kirbivore]

Masterclass from Kawhi last night. It is huge for the sport to have him back at 100%. I thought it would never happen.

 

[MikeSU02]

Too much Brunson ISO ball. I didn't like the Towns trade when it happened and like it even less now. They feel further away than they were last year.

I haven't hated the trade, transparently. But I'm always wary of relying a lot on KAT in any scenario.

However, the thing was with Brunson's injury a bit ago, it was supposed to help the Knicks learn to be less reliant on him...

I love the Knicks. I think they'll be ok this round just because they are older, but it's worrying. It really feels like we're hitting the Thibs ceiling. He is great at extracting productivity and wins from teams that need a culture change, and he should be applauded for it without question, but there does seem to be a cap on it if you really are trying to win a chip.

You noted that in your other post in this thread, recently.

One final note, that will be blasphemous coming from a Knicks fan - Brunson is awesome. He deserves the all stars, all nbas, etc. He deserves all sorts of credit for leading the charge of getting the Knicks out of the muck.

But he isn't in the top tier of NBA players. Jokic, Giannis, Luka, Tatum, SGA. And he's not in that "was in the top tier, is older or was injured but can still hit it albeit not consistently group" which is like Steph, Bron, Kawhi (lately).

With that said, after the misery of most of the last few decades, beggars can't be choosers, really.

 

[MikeSU02]

Masterclass from Kawhi last night. It is huge for the sport to have him back at 100%. I thought it would never happen.

He and Luka are/were my fave non Knicks just to watch from a bball standpoint. Prime Kawhi was so enjoyable. Nice to have him back, even for a bit.

 

[Knicks411]

Thibs is going to Thibs. I think they likely need a coaching change to get to the next step.

I think they’re moving closer and closer to one He’s never going to optimize this group

 

[NineOneSeven]

I haven't hated the trade, transparently. But I'm always wary of relying a lot on KAT in any scenario.

However, the thing was with Brunson's injury a bit ago, it was supposed to help the Knicks learn to be less reliant on him...

I love the Knicks. I think they'll be ok this round just because they are older, but it's worrying. It really feels like we're hitting the Thibs ceiling. He is great at extracting productivity and wins from teams that need a culture change, and he should be applauded for it without question, but there does seem to be a cap on it if you really are trying to win a chip.

You noted that in your other post in this thread, recently.

One final note, that will be blasphemous coming from a Knicks fan - Brunson is awesome. He deserves the all stars, all nbas, etc. He deserves all sorts of credit for leading the charge of getting the Knicks out of the muck.

But he isn't in the top tier of NBA players. Jokic, Giannis, Luka, Tatum, SGA. And he's not in that "was in the top tier, is older or was injured but can still hit it albeit not consistently group" which is like Steph, Bron, Kawhi (lately).

With that said, after the misery of most of the last few decades, beggars can't be choosers, really.

KAT and Brunson are probably going to land on second team all NBA this year. I still think they win this series because of that experience and the fact I think they are just deeper overall, but Detroit is impressive.

Regarding the bolded point— do you think Curry is still above Brunson? The latter had a better season overall but obviously something to be said about winning time in playoffs.

 

[Knicks411]

I would trade Brunson for curry in a second for a playoff run.

 

[Newhouser]

I think Brunson is a lot like Jimmy Butler - very good to great player who is a step below the elite players. Not sure he can get you over the top as your Alpha.

 

[MikeSU02]

KAT and Brunson are probably going to land on second team all NBA this year. I still think they win this series because of that experience and the fact I think they are just deeper overall, but Detroit is impressive.

Regarding the bolded point— do you think Curry is still above Brunson? The latter had a better season overall but obviously something to be said about winning time in playoffs.

Curry >>>>> Brunson, still.

Curry changes the whole dynamic of how you have to defend on the floor.

 

[MikeSU02]

I would trade Brunson for curry in a second for a playoff run.

Everyday and twice on Sundays. No doubt.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Curry >>>>> Brunson, still.

Curry changes the whole dynamic of how you have to defend on the floor.

I think the Warriors have the best shot of anyone against OKC in the west. Especially with the way the playoffs are going to be officiated.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Curry >>>>> Brunson, still.

Curry changes the whole dynamic of how you have to defend on the floor.

I think so too but my friends who are big Knicks fans won’t agree there haha

 

[Eric15]

OKC/Memphis feels like a 1/16 NCAA first round matchup where the second half is just a formality.

 

[Eric15]

 

[kirbivore]

OKC/Memphis feels like a 1/16 NCAA first round matchup where the second half is just a formality.

The first two games OKC has been a money printing machine. Hit on the their 1st Quarter and Halftime team totals yesterday.

 

[Eric15]

In his 13 year NBA career, Larry Bird made 649 threes.

Since joining the Celtics in 2022, Derrick White has made 645 threes.