I'm back with another one of these posts, collecting my thoughts and ponderings through the NBA Playoffs. For this one, we'll stick to just the 1st Round vs. the Atlanta Hawks.
I'm already nervous.
Last year's opening round series vs. the Detroit Pistons added gray hairs to my beard. And the year before? That opening playoff series vs. the Philadelphia 76ers likely took some years off my life.
So yeah, here we go again...
Some quick thoughts before the series begins from this fan:
The Atlanta Hawks were NOT my top pick for matchups in the first round. They definitely picked us. But the Playoffs are the Playoffs - everyone is good! I'm concerned about this...I really am.
- My Key Matchup: Dyson Daniels on Jalen Brunson
- My Key Stats:
- The Knicks led the NBA in 4th Quarter Net Rating - That is an attribute that is vastly being overlooked in this series. The Knicks are very good in the closing quarter - they have been all year. It's an identity that will surely help in the Playoffs.
- Hawks Pace of Play - While the Knicks were 7th in defensive rating all season, the Hawks' style of play is athletic, long, and fast. They were fifth in pace of play all year. That pace in the regular season gave the Knicks some trouble, especially when the Hawks are knocking down the three, particularly Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- My Key Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
- The Hawks don't have much size and don't feature athletic bigs. Towns has feasted on Onyeka Okungwu for his career, with some big numbers recently. KAT has to assert himself early in this series. Especially if the Knicks continue to unveil their (intentional hidden secret?) new two-man game sets with Brunson and KAT.
Ugh, the NBA playoffs are here. I won't be able to sleep.
We'll see...
#LGK
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Game 1
Knicks d. Hawks, 113-102
(Knicks lead series, 1-0)
Wheeewww!
What a way to get the playoff jitters out! In many ways, it felt close; in others, it just felt like we had to get it together. Far from over.
Quick Thoughts:
- #11 was phenomenal tonight. Especially in that first quarter. Unreal.
- Yet, never would have thought he finished 9-22.
- He was only a +4 in +/-, but each of Josh Hart's 14 boards was key throughout the game.
- As stated, Karl-Anthony Towns is the biggest factor. If he's playing well, this is going to be tough for the Hawks. That was on display in the second half.
- However, KAT has stretches where they switch guards on him out on the elbow, and it is extremely frustrating to watch. Take him in the post!!!
- CJ McCollum dropped 26 points and was 11-20 from the field. It felt like he was perfect up until the fourth quarter.
- Jalen Johnson is going to be some player once he figures a few things out.
- Mitch Robinson is one of my favorite Knicks of all time. He has these amazing defensive stretches.
- I forgot Zaccharie Risacher is a former #1 pick.
- I expect a plethora of adjustments for Game 2, especially from the Hawks' defensive coverage on Brunson. I expect a lot of blitzes to get the ball out of his hands. I'm sure Mike Brown and the Knicks do to. More Bridges minutes as the primary ball handler? Brunson, in off-ball action? Or maybe, a big-time feature of KAT to get him going much earlier? Should be interesting to see.
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Hawks d. Knicks, 107-106
(Series Tied)
What. Just. Happened?
I'm genuinely stunned. The Knicks, like game one, felt like they were in total control of this game. Then, contrary to their character of a league-leading fourth-quarter net rating, we simply let this go.
Ugh.
Ugh.
Quick Thoughts:
- I love Brunson. But his process down the stretch felt too ball-dominant.
- Again, I need more from Karl-Anthony Towns. In many ways, this game, he needed more touches.
- CJ McCollum absolutely balled out. Anyone could have had this dude at the trade deadline. The Hawks are going to need him to have games like that all series - does he have that in his bag, consistently?
- I am so over the media and broadcasts trying to install a "new villain" for the Knicks come playoff time. That dude, that villain, typically emerges organically. McCollum is not there yet.
- OG had a solid game.
- I am not a fan of the rotations we saw tonight, especially the stints without Brunson and/or KAT. I haven't jumped into the numbers yet, but those lineups felt like game-changers and were so unusual all season. Especially with a twelve-point lead and under seven minutes to go.
- I enjoy Alvarado's energy. Not in love with his ball-handling.
- Those weird, funky, head-scratching lineups.
- Mike Brown outcoached himself here...
Edit Update: I looked into the data...
WHYYYYYYYY???? Ugh.
Onto Atlanta for Game 3.
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