'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.

[MU82]

If he leads NY to a title, Brunson has to go on the Knicks' Mount Rushmore with Frazier and Reed. And I guess Ewing?

[Uncle Rico]

Wemby is not a good basketball player

[MuggsyB]

If he leads NY to a title, Brunson has to go on the Knicks' Mount Rushmore with Frazier and Reed. And I guess Ewing?

I had a heated argument with a close friend of mine about Brunson.  I believe he is better than Iverson, Harden, and Kyrie.  Iverson, as much as I loved the guy, wasn't nearly as efficient.  As far as Kyrie and Harden?  I don't think it's particularly close.  People are enamored with the handles of Kyrie...and Harden and Iverson to a degree.  They're tremendous no doubt, but Brunson rarely wastes dribbles.  Everything he does is purposeful.  His footwork and fundamentals are impeccable.   He's also 6'2 tops.  Among smaller guards I think  he's top 5.  How good was Archibald vs Isaiah, Stockton, Paul, Iverson, Brunson? 

[MU82]

I had a heated argument with a close friend of mine about Brunson.  I believe he is better than Iverson, Harden, and Kyrie.  Iverson, as much as I loved the guy, wasn't nearly as efficient.  As far as Kyrie and Harden?  I don't think it's particularly close.  People are enamored with the handles of Kyrie...and Harden and Iverson to a degree.  They're tremendous no doubt, but Brunson rarely wastes dribbles.  Everything he does is purposeful.  His footwork and fundamentals are impeccable.   He's also 6'2 tops.  Among smaller guards I think  he's top 5.  How good was Archibald vs Isaiah, Stockton, Paul, Iverson, Brunson? 

Brunson is a better lead guard than Iverson was and than Irving and Harden is IMHO. He can get his, efficiently, but he also makes those around him better. He doesn't care about being flashy, just wants to get the job done. He is a great teammate and a warrior. Irving was at his best when he was teammates with LeBron, who was the indisputable leader of the team.

Others you named were great, of course, but they all were so different. Thomas was an absolute assassin, and he was the star of teams that won championships at every level; opponents hated him but, by and large, his teammates loved him. Not too many better than he was. Archibald was great, but not for long enough. Stockton was cold-blooded and saw the floor as well as any player ever; anybody would have wanted him as a teammate.

[The Sultan]

If he leads NY to a title, Brunson has to go on the Knicks' Mount Rushmore with Frazier and Reed. And I guess Ewing?

Of course it's Ewing. He's their best all time player. Leads them in games, points, rebounds, blocks, steals, win-shares, etc. He most certainly isn't the reason they never won a championship. Who was the second best player on those mid-90s Knicks teams? Oakley? Starks? Yikes.

Those Frazier/Reed Knicks teams had five Hall of Famers including Bradley, DeBusschere, and (an admittedly over the hill) Monroe.

[MuggsyB]

Brunson is a better lead guard than Iverson was and than Irving and Harden is IMHO. He can get his, efficiently, but he also makes those around him better. He doesn't care about being flashy, just wants to get the job done. He is a great teammate and a warrior. Irving was at his best when he was teammates with LeBron, who was the indisputable leader of the team.

Others you named were great, of course, but they all were so different. Thomas was an absolute assassin, and he was the star of teams that won championships at every level; opponents hated him but, by and large, his teammates loved him. Not too many better than he was. Archibald was great, but not for long enough. Stockton was cold-blooded and saw the floor as well as any player ever; anybody would have wanted him as a teammate.

I give Isaiah the nod as the greatest smallish player. Not just because he won 2 titles as the best player on his team, but because his teams beat: Boston (Bird), LA (Magic), and Chicago (Jordan).  That said, I think he played on some really good teams and Dumars was the perfect backcourt partner.  He also had Vinnie Johnson.  If CP3, Stockton, or Brunson played on those teams would have they had similar success?  I dunno, but I think it's fair to throw it out there.  My memory of Dumars was that he was unflappable and a great defender. 

[MU82]

Of course it's Ewing. He's their best all time player. Leads them in games, points, rebounds, blocks, steals, win-shares, etc. He most certainly isn't the reason they never won a championship. Who was the second best player on those mid-90s Knicks teams? Oakley? Starks? Yikes.

Those Frazier/Reed Knicks teams had five Hall of Famers including Bradley, DeBusschere, and (an admittedly over the hill) Monroe.

That's reasonable. I realize now that the way I worded my earlier post, it might have seemed I was trying to diminish how good Ewing was. That wasn't my intention. If not Ewing, I don't even know who else it could be. Bernard King was incredible with the Knicks, but he was only with the team for a few seasons. DeBusschere would probably be my other top choice, but Ewing had a better and longer Knicks career.

Frazier was a great player in his prime when the Knicks were winning titles. IMHO, his game would translate very well to today's NBA. Reed, unfortunately, was injury-riddled by the time I became a Knicks fan, but he still was a valuable and talented player.

FWIW, Monroe was only 27 when he was traded to the Knicks. Having seen him play a lot, I don't think he was over the hill. He willingly went from being a ball-dominant guy with the Bullets to more of a role player with the Knicks because he wanted to win. He still averaged 16 ppg in the 1973 playoffs - more than Reed or Bradley - and he had a team-high 23 points in the Game 5 title clincher vs the Lakers. He went on to average 20 ppg during his age 30-33 seasons before his body started breaking down.

[The Sultan]

That's reasonable. I realize now that the way I worded my earlier post, it might have seemed I was trying to diminish how good Ewing was. That wasn't my intention. If not Ewing, I don't even know who else it could be. Bernard King was incredible with the Knicks, but he was only with the team for a few seasons. DeBusschere would probably be my other top choice, but Ewing had a better and longer Knicks career.

Frazier was a great player in his prime when the Knicks were winning titles. IMHO, his game would translate very well to today's NBA. Reed, unfortunately, was injury-riddled by the time I became a Knicks fan, but he still was a valuable and talented player.

FWIW, Monroe was only 27 when he was traded to the Knicks. Having seen him play a lot, I don't think he was over the hill. He willingly went from being a ball-dominant guy with the Bullets to more of a role player with the Knicks because he wanted to win. He still averaged 16 ppg in the 1973 playoffs - more than Reed or Bradley - and he had a team-high 23 points in the Game 5 title clincher vs the Lakers. He went on to average 20 ppg during his age 30-33 seasons before his body started breaking down.

Absolutely fair comment on Black Jesus.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Bernard King was incredible with the Knicks, but he was only with the team for a few seasons.

Kings injury was really unfortunate. I knew him more as a Bullets player but to know how dominant he was before he got hurt was kind of tragic.