Knicks Rd1 - Playoffs Series 2021

[GameTime]

I would be SHOCKED if Trae got over 6 FTA a game this series. One of Bogi/Gallo/Lou is going to have to be hot this series for us to win.

Edited May 21, 2021 by GameTime

[ATLHawks3]

1 minute ago, GameTime said:

I would be SHOCKED if Trae got over 6 FTA a game this series. One of Bogi/Gallo/Lou is going to have to be hot this series for us to win.

Trae has to use that foul baiting tactic in the pick and roll. We need to live at the free throw line in this series.

[GameTime]

Just now, ATLHawks3 said:

Trae has to use that foul baiting tactic in the pick and roll. We need to live at the free throw line in this series.

I just feel he is going to get the "James Harden in the Playoffs" treatment no matter what. The refs will swallow their whistle.

[bleachkit]

1 hour ago, GameTime said:

I would be SHOCKED if Trae got over 6 FTA a game this series. One of Bogi/Gallo/Lou is going to have to be hot this series for us to win.

Bogi has to be the guy.

[kg01]

1 hour ago, GameTime said:

I just feel he is going to get the "James Harden in the Playoffs" treatment no matter what. The refs will swallow their whistle.

Refs are definitely gonna try to make a point by swallowing the whistle.  Heyul, they already started in the regular season.  He'll need to go for 20 assists in game 1, don't look for calls.

[JTB]

1 hour ago, GameTime said:

I just feel he is going to get the "James Harden in the Playoffs" treatment no matter what. The refs will swallow their whistle.

I hope McMillan tells him that! Seriously! Don’t expect the foul to be called. Focus on making the shot 

[Final_quest]

Trae has game.  He doesn't need to live at the line.  I feel like people have forgotten how capable he is as a shooter.  You have to believe in the player you have seen over his career instead of his recent cold spell.   

[MarylandHawk]

26 minutes ago, Final_quest said:

Trae has game.  He doesn't need to live at the line.  I feel like people have forgotten how capable he is as a shooter.  You have to believe in the player you have seen over his career instead of his recent cold spell.   

Of all the amazing things Trae can do, I think his best attribute is his competitive toughness.  Guys like him lives for the big moments and rise to the occasion. Good thing is his doesn’t have to do it by himself.  We have a squad. 

[JTB]

25 minutes ago, MarylandHawk said:

Of all the amazing things Trae can do, I think his best attribute is his competitive toughness.  Guys like him lives for the big moments and rise to the occasion. Good thing is his doesn’t have to do it by himself.  We have a squad. 

Trae is good and great at certain things especially offensively but one thing I find interesting is a talent that rarely gets mentioned....and that’s inspiration under the big lights!

msybe it’s just me but from a fan perspective Trae seems to love when all eyes are on him. He lives for the spotlight...that’s a great thing going into this series to me.

[NBASupes]

5 hours ago, Final_quest said:

Trae has game.  He doesn't need to live at the line.  I feel like people have forgotten how capable he is as a shooter.  You have to believe in the player you have seen over his career instead of his recent cold spell.   

He only needed to do this under LP and spamming PnRs offense but people don't really watch us and many just assume that he does regardless 

[Final_quest]

He does seem to handle the spotlight well, but he is human.  His first NBA shot was an air ball.  Pretty weak performance at the 3 point contest.  
I think he loves the spotlight, but it takes him a while to calm his nerves.  As he matures I think his nerves will get under control better.  Will be interesting to see how he handles the playoffs and MSG.  

[TheNorthCydeRises]

I hope that Trae watched the Memphis vs Golden State game last night. 

Ja Morant stepped up to the challenge and was NOT afraid to be great when his other teammates were struggling.  He stayed in attack mode and matched Steph shot for shot.  He even had one of his best games as a pro from 3 point range.

Despite the Hawks having multiple offensive weapons that can make the game easier for Trae, he cannot be afraid ( or encouraged ), not to be great.

Superstars win games in the playoffs.  Be that superstar, Trae.

[JayBirdHawk]

Hunter got a haircut!

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

Position Matchups. Agree or Disagree? Discuss. 

Hawks point guards: Trae Young, Lou Williams
Knicks point guards: Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose, Frank Ntilikina
Advantage: Hawks

Young is one of the best players in the league and arguably the best player in the series. That alone gives them the advantage here, but the Knicks do have the better bench at the point guard position with Rose, a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year.

Hawks shooting guards: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kevin Huerter
Knicks shooting guards: Reggie Bullock, Immanuel Quickley
Advantage: Hawks 

Bogdanovic turned into one of the NBA’s best shooters in the second half of the season with the Hawks implementing more off-ball movement in their offense. He also has the ability to create for others with the ball in his hands. Bullock shot 40 percent from 3 and is a good defender, so he’s no slouch and will have to be taken seriously as an offensive threat for the Knicks. While Quickley has impressed in his rookie season, I trust Huerter more than him coming off the bench.

Hawks small forwards: De’Andre Hunter, Tony Snell
Knicks small forwards: RJ Barrett, Alec Burks
Advantage: Hawks

If Hunter is fully healthy and playing like he was before he partially tore his meniscus, he could be the player who swings the series completely in favor of the Hawks. That’s how valuable he is. Barrett also showed considerable growth in his sophomore season, shooting 40 percent from 3 and being a solid defender. I do think Burks is a more valuable player than Snell, as Burks has shown the ability to take over for the Knicks in stretches.

Hawks power forwards: John Collins, Danilo Gallinari
Knicks power forwards: Julius Randle, Obi Toppin
Advantage: Knicks 

Randle will get some top-five votes for MVP this season. While I don’t think he was one of the five best players, he clearly was one of the top 10/15 players this season and is the biggest reason the Knicks are the No. 4 seed. For that reason alone, the Knicks have to have the advantage here, even though Collins also is having a good season.

Hawks centers: Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu
Knicks centers: Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson
Advantage: Hawks 

Capela has completely transformed the Hawks’ defense and almost singlehandedly made them a competent unit on that end of the floor. His defense took a sizable leap from his Houston days, and that trade between the Rockets and Hawks continues to look like one of the most lopsided trades in recent history. Noel has done a good job stepping in for Mitchell Robinson, but he’s nowhere close to being as impactful as Capela. This position is arguably the biggest gap in talent for both teams.

What I will say is just because the Hawks have a 4-1 position advantage, at least in my estimation, that DOES NOT mean the series will be easy. Basketball goes much deeper than one-on-one positional matchups.

[Gray Mule]

NERVES

Naturally, these inexperienced players on both teams will be a tad tight as they enter the playoffs for the first time.  One big question:  Will playing in front of their home fans, will it help or hinder the NY players?  Will they want to please their fans so much that they can't?  Or, will it cause them to be extra great?

[kg01]

Knicks fans are the worst.

[Final_quest]

1 hour ago, Gray Mule said:

NERVES

Naturally, these inexperienced players on both teams will be a tad tight as they enter the playoffs for the first time.  One big question:  Will playing in front of their home fans, will it help or hinder the NY players?  Will they want to please their fans so much that they can't?  Or, will it cause them to be extra great?

I think this series in particular to be has potential to be decided by nerves.  Also, we often see momentum shifts in the playoffs.  A team looks unstoppable, and then the other team changes their strategy and completely shuts them down.  
I want us to hand Nate Dogg his first series win.  
Side note, I’m shocked that the Knicks are such a TV draw that we are on TNT instead of the star power of Sixers vs Wizards.  

[kg01]

On 5/18/2021 at 1:03 PM, kg01 said:

Ayo stop .. collaborate and listen, guys.  You may think Tom's screamin' "ICE!" to tell his guys to ice the pick 'n roll.  Nah, he's just shoutin' out his favorite rapper ...

- Dom Thibodeau

My brother has something in common with Dan E. Ferry.  They both completed dragged Luol Deng's career through a ditch.  Ayo RJ ....

- Dom Thibodeau

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[RedDawg#8]

2 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

 

Bout Time!!!! Lets get it ATL