DETROIT PISTONS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS
I have a lot to say about the Knicks but will just note that this team sorta lives and dies by KAT. He's the one, not Brunson, who has that ability to set the entire tone. And that's the way it should be since he is, after all, "the center". When the onus is rather on guards to ramp up bigs, like sometimes that shit doesn't work.
The Knicks are almost a perfectly-balanced team. The problem is that they're over-talented, and therefore Bridges is better off serving as a role or supportive player rather than a key one. Meanwhile, he's actually one of the best all-around players in the league. If he can finally and consistently make that adjustment - like Bruce Banner fighting with his brain instead of using the Hulk - then taking for granted KAT + Brunson stays healthy, then the sky's the limit for this squad, because they have one of the best perimeter-defense cores.
Indeed, that Shroder play against Brunson was dirty or in the very least excessive, the way he rolled on his ankle. None of us knows what goes on between these guys on the court, like low blows and things niggas saying things under their breath and shit like that. But when you're compelled to try to take out the other team's leader by intentionally hurting him, that's like admitting that they're better. And it's because of shit like that, I would presume, that the refs didn't call that last foul on Hardaway.
ORLANDO MAGIC VS. BOSTON CELTICS
At the end of the day, you know, the win is the most important thing. You see niggas feening, intentionally hurting opponents, and then their home crowds roar as they take advantage of the subsequent mismatch. The point is that even if you win, it's not always something to feel good about.
Using that loose example, that's sorta how I feel about the Celtics right now. Yeah, you won the game, but damn, is it really a cause for celebration? Was it really supposed to be that hard against the Magic? Either Orlando is much better than their seeding indicates - which may be the case - or the Celtics are missing something. Brown + Tatum have this sorta forever young feel about them, but this isn't a youth squad.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lebron + Luka Lakers have finally earned my respect. LBJ, after all these years, has finally conceded the point, though it took a Steph-like teammate for him to do so. The problem though is that instead of sliding down to the 4 where he belongs, he still prefers to operate from the perimeter.
The Wolves won Game 4 not due to being better but rather having the youth and athleticism advantage (a common issue against the Lakers during the Lebron era). They ran a set play at a pivotal juncture with like a minute left whereas, despite having four better-suited players on the floor, instead it was DiVincenzo who ended up driving into the lane - with no backup - and being summarily dismissed. That's sorta what I was saying before. These guys are getting by on their length and athleticism, not strategy, but they won't have those type of advantages if they reach subsequent rounds, except maybe if they once again find themselves against an older team.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (1) VS. INDIANA PACERS (3)
The way Myles Turner banged it on Giannis, that was a statement dunk. No one in their right mind would ever argue that Turner is the better player, but he is on the better team and let the world know that.
The Bucks are going to face some really tough decisions this offseason. The only keepers on their roster, besides Giannis, are Porter Jr. and Trent. The first time, they built a champion around Giannis by surrounding him with more of a traditional roster. Now, they may decide to take the athleticism approach, kinda how Atlanta should be doing with Trae Young (hint hint).
I'm sorry that the Dame experiment didn't work out, because I did advocate it before anyone else did. But the Bucks' braintrust, it's sorta like they get ahead of themselves sometimes. You know what I mean? Like why acquire Lillard while losing Holiday in the process?
As for the Pacers, those dudes were red hot. Like I can see them giving a team like the Celtics legitimate headaches.
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