'25-26 NBA Thread

[MuggsyB]

Spurs in 5.

Not happening.

[wadesworld]

Not happening.

I'll stick to it.

[MuggsyB]

I'll stick to it.

The Knicks didn't play particularly well.  They have two Gargantuan advantages:  Offensive glass/Brunson to close. 

[JWags85]

I'll stick to it.

Is Fox gonna magically turn into a competent PG? Cause he was horrific and was bad most of the OKC series.

The Spurs panicked so badly in that 4th quarter.  Literally looked like a HS team with one star, run down and immediately look to pass it to Wemby or meltdown

[MuggsyB]

Is Fox gonna magically turn into a competent PG? Cause he was horrific and was bad most of the OKC series.

The Spurs panicked so badly in that 4th quarter.  Literally looked like a HS team with one star, run down and immediately look to pass it to Wemby or meltdown

I think this series is over.  SA doesn't really have a h-c offense or a go-to guy.  They also inexplicably benched Harper the last 6 mins. 

[MU82]

I think this series is over.  SA doesn't really have a h-c offense or a go-to guy.  They also inexplicably benched Harper the last 6 mins. 

If I got a dollar every time you declared a game or series over, only to have that game or series very much not be over ... I'd be able to buy Marquette the #1 recruit in the country.

[MuggsyB]

WWSWWD (We will see what Wemby Does).

Maybe he read my post.

But the truth is NY has a much more balanced offensive team and a prime-time closer.

It's not a good sign that NY shot so poorly and still was able to flip the game. 

Fox has to be WAY better for SA. 

[The Sultan]

I think this series is over.   

Why do you do this?

[The Sultan]

Is Fox gonna magically turn into a competent PG? Cause he was horrific and was bad most of the OKC series.

The Spurs panicked so badly in that 4th quarter.  Literally looked like a HS team with one star, run down and immediately look to pass it to Wemby or meltdown

Yeah, you can see how experienced the Knicks were come close out time. They have been building to this for a few seasons now. They upgraded to a coach who understood why you need to play the bench more during the year.

The Spurs young guys are going to have to figure it out soon. They still can obviously, but the Knicks are on a playoff run like we haven't seen for a while.

[MuggsyB]

Why do you do this?

To jinx NY. 

[MU82]

KAT and Hart were so good. OG came alive when the Knicks desperately needed a boost. And Brunson ... he is one tough MFer.

[JWags85]

Yeah, you can see how experienced the Knicks were come close out time. They have been building to this for a few seasons now. They upgraded to a coach who understood why you need to play the bench more during the year.

The Spurs young guys are going to have to figure it out soon. They still can obviously, but the Knicks are on a playoff run like we haven't seen for a while.

Mike Brown made such a leap in player management during his time with GS, its remarkable.  He was a good coach in a bad situation with Sacramento, but he's been so impressive all year in New York.

KAT and Hart were so good. OG came alive when the Knicks desperately needed a boost. And Brunson ... he is one tough MFer.

KAT's defense on Wemby was a HUGE key in the game, incredibly impressive.  I'm not the biggest KAT fan overall, but I don't know if there is a single player who is a better matchup for Wemby than KAT, both in terms of being able to stay with him defensively, but also force him to come out to the perimeter to defend.  And Hart, there isn't much more you can say about him that we haven't said many times before.  He's the consummate do everything guard and compliment piece.

The funny thing with that Brunson 4th quarter was it was a the perfect embodiment of the game.  I was texting with my friend that while it was a close/entertaining game, it was annoying cause right when the teams started to gel, it would turn into a brick fest.  Well Brunson started the 4th hot, then there was a stretch for 3-4 min before he hit that corner 3 where he was playing UGLY iso ball and forcing shots.  Then he hit that 3 and the big off balance dagger.  He's nothing if not a gamer.

[MU82]

Mike Brown made such a leap in player management during his time with GS, its remarkable.  He was a good coach in a bad situation with Sacramento, but he's been so impressive all year in New York.

KAT's defense on Wemby was a HUGE key in the game, incredibly impressive.  I'm not the biggest KAT fan overall, but I don't know if there is a single player who is a better matchup for Wemby than KAT, both in terms of being able to stay with him defensively, but also force him to come out to the perimeter to defend.  And Hart, there isn't much more you can say about him that we haven't said many times before.  He's the consummate do everything guard and compliment piece.

The funny thing with that Brunson 4th quarter was it was a the perfect embodiment of the game.  I was texting with my friend that while it was a close/entertaining game, it was annoying cause right when the teams started to gel, it would turn into a brick fest.  Well Brunson started the 4th hot, then there was a stretch for 3-4 min before he hit that corner 3 where he was playing UGLY iso ball and forcing shots.  Then he hit that 3 and the big off balance dagger.  He's nothing if not a gamer.

If I were an NBA player and could choose any teammate, I might choose Hart. He is a pure winner who only cares about doing whatever his team needs him to do. He had a few rebounds in traffic last night that were almost miraculous.

Incredible how many NBA execs and pundits were wrong about Brunson - not only when he was entering the league but also when he was a free agent.

You watch Hart and Brunson, and you see why Nova won an NCAA title. Jay Wright must have LOVED coaching those two leaders and warriors.

And you're right about KAT. I've been neither a hater nor a fanboi of his, but he has really stepped up this postseason. Props to Brown, too, for adjusting KAT's role and for just instilling the right attitude into the whole Knicks team.

[MuggsyB]

If I were an NBA player and could choose any teammate, I might choose Hart. He is a pure winner who only cares about doing whatever his team needs him to do. He had a few rebounds in traffic last night that were almost miraculous.

Incredible how many NBA execs and pundits were wrong about Brunson - not only when he was entering the league but also when he was a free agent.

You watch Hart and Brunson, and you see why Nova won an NCAA title. Jay Wright must have LOVED coaching those two leaders and warriors.

And you're right about KAT. I've been neither a hater nor a fanboi of his, but he has really stepped up this postseason. Props to Brown, too, for adjusting KAT's role and for just instilling the right attitude into the whole Knicks team.

I'm not right always, but was about Brunson.  I'm not saying I thought he'd be this good, but I thought it was absolutely crazy he was a 2nd rd. pick and not high in the 1st rd.

As for Hart, you're 100% accurate.  He makes so many winning plays that you don't see on the stat sheet.  One play in particular last night that stands out is when Wenby was stripped with about a minute to go.  Bridges was streaking up the floor, ahead of his man, and calling for the ball.  Instead of throwing that long pass, Hart brought the ball out and eventually Brunson made a dagger J.  They killed 24 seconds and  essentially ended the game right there.  Hart totally understood time and score, and it's just one of many examples where Hart makes the right decision.  Stats cannot measure the importance of elite player I.Q.

[Jay Bee]

If I were an NBA player and could choose any teammate, I might choose Hart. He is a pure winner who only cares about doing whatever his team needs him to do. He had a few rebounds in traffic last night that were almost miraculous.

Incredible how many NBA execs and pundits were wrong about Brunson - not only when he was entering the league but also when he was a free agent.

You watch Hart and Brunson, and you see why Nova won an NCAA title. Jay Wright must have LOVED coaching those two leaders and warriors.

And you're right about KAT. I've been neither a hater nor a fanboi of his, but he has really stepped up this postseason. Props to Brown, too, for adjusting KAT's role and for just instilling the right attitude into the whole Knicks team.

Josh Hart is a great example of why evaluating young talent in person is helpful. In EYBL, not a big stat stuffer... but watching how he was involved in every play, his demeanor and attentiveness both on and off the court, interactions with teammates.. just unique. The motor was insane. Seemed to be involved with every loose ball. Just tremendous.

3 points last night, but an exceptional performance.