Thought this newsletter was incredibly helpful to prep for the series.
And I'll just say this: the way the Knicks played during the first quarter of Game 6 is the blueprint. I think that was honestly the best they have looked all season. It wasn't sustainable but it was also championship-levek intensity and execution. Gave me even more hope for this team now and moving forward.
If you are a Knicks fan for 35 years or more, Reggie Miller is likely your most hated enemy player. Losing a key playoff game because Miller scored 8 points in 9 seconds, all the while taunting Spike and Knick fans, still burns. The faux choke and the other taunts are just icing on the cake. I can’t stand the sound of his voice, and I’d say I hate seeing him on TV,but that thing goes off if Miller is anywhere near a camera that might shoot his visage to my living room.
Putting ancient history aside, winning tonight is crucial. Got to hold home court, particularly in game one.
Reggie didn't engage in excessively dirty play. He was annoying, very annoying. Like he's still all time most annoying opponent. But he was kind of a professional wrestling opponent, it was all an act. The player that I come closest to hating is Joel Embiid hands down. And that hatred developed as a result of a series of plays that would make Draymond blush and that hurt Mitch. For me winning that series wasn't revenge, it was a reckoning.
Hate to say it, but I'd put 8 points in 9 seconds above the LJ four-point play, because the former gets brought up all the time whenever a team attempts a seemingly insurmountable comeback with only a few minutes to go. Whereas the LJ shot is also remembered primarily by Knicks fans.
Also, I'm surprised both you and Fred are suggesting Burks might play in this series, even a little. I know we're desperate for bodies, and the hypothetical Burks is more useful in this matchup than Precious. But the actual Burks looked absolutely *cooked* when he got here. Unless there was an injury the team didn't tell us about, and he's now looking great in practice, I'd honestly rather see Shake Milton play. And I can't imagine a universe where Shake Milton sees the court unless we're up 30 with a minute to go.
Before coming to the Knicks Burks hit 40% of his 3s on high volume and 90% from the line. Of course he also shot <40% from 2... also on high volume. But I'd also prefer Shake, who's almost the exact opposite player. A good defender, he's happy to pass and shot nearly 47% from 2, but below 30% from 3.
Cooked is right. I was really disappointed in the Alec Burks that we got. This is a man who no longer trusts the pass. Rebounds and assists per 36 down compared to his prior stint, and turnovers are up. Maybe that's role, but the eye test wasn't great. But I wonder if there's a playoff Burks that can get coached into a role that works.
Very fair. I'm more thinking of the iconic shot of the Garden crowd exploding in unison being a top 20-30 all time NBA playoff highlight reel clip.
Fred made a good case for Precious on the pod. For Burks, I trust his ability to knock down an open 3. It's on defense where I may not trust him, and if you're an off ball airhead, like he tends to be, facing Indy is death. All that said, I think he'll at least get a *shot*
I’m too young to have memories of the choke gesture or 8 points in 9 seconds. My hatred for the Pacers stems from 2013 and that damn Hibbert block. I need payback for that
To the surprise of nobody I got a lot of streaming in over the last three days break, but by far the most New York of them all was Summer of Sam (1999) by Spike Lee, and Michael Imperioli as co-screenwriter. More Civil War films were consumed of course but none of them quite had the feel of the Summer of 1977 in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn where disco was everywhere, the mob still ran things, and two iconic NYC venues were in their heydays, Studio 54 and CBGB. It was easy to see the parallels to a Knicks vs. Pacers playoff series for what should be obvious reasons.
At that time the whole city went on lock down defense looking for a notorious blood soaked serial killer (not named Reggie Miller). He shot the lights out of 13 innocent people on his crazed rampage, often just young couples parked on secluded streets engaging in a little OG Anunoby defense on one another, but still scoring on every play. 6 died and 7 were scarred for life.
The cops asked the mob for help being their eyes and ears on the street but it was an observant citizen who brought the lunatic's crime spree to an end. She noticed a weird looking creep, staring at her with a dark object in his hand, get a parking ticket before leaving the area. That made it easy for the NYPD to hunt him down to a small and decrepit apartment in Yonkers with satanic writings scribbled all over its walls.
David Berkowitz, who called himself the Son of Sam, was nabbed shortly thereafter walking out to his car. The monster confessed on the spot, and the whole city let out a massive sigh of relief and got back to business as usual.
The Knicks may have already faced their own personal nightmare scenario in the form of the 76ers and their murderers row but new nutcase killers always seem to emerge looking for their 15 minute of fame as Andy Warhol once said. It will take an all out team defensive effort to stop the copycat killers in their tracks. Spike Lee was courtside for all of the previous Pacer games Knicks fans usually mention this time of year. It's easy to see why his 1999 horror film had to be made at that time by him, after enduring many attempts on his life as a fan with multiple daggers to the heart and gunshots to the head.
Summer of Sam was actually a loving tribute to the resilience of our city in the face of insanity by a man who had lived it all close up as a fan in MSG. The brutality of choke signs, 8 quick stab wounds to the chest, a butt to the head, or a back breaking spike of the ball back in our faces.
As horrific as all of that was in the 90s it produced a gorgeous work of art on film in the end that at least in this fan's eyes is personified by the Knicks of the current era. They can take the best shots and fend off the attacks on their right to survive, and just keep moving forward.
They can come at us with a knife or a gun or cryptic threatening letters meant to F with our heads, but we'll continue to pull together, close ranks, play for each other, and defy the odds of survival. That's what we've always done. That's what we will continue to do.
This is not the 70s or the 90s. This is our time. When this series is over the opponent's leader who we rejected, will be sitting in a jail cell for the rest of the Summer muttering to himself over and over again "Why didn't they draft me. Why?" It is not the Summer of Sam, it is the Summer of Slam in the Apple of our dreams.
I was in 7th grade for that. It was one of the things that taught me a certain heightened level of caution and awareness whenever I was out. I avoided the movie because those were not the best times for me, but I might check it out now. It marked a deeply difficult time to be a knick fan. Willis was coaching, and watching one of my idols struggle was actually part of growing up. Trying to combine disillusionment with keeping hold of what was good. Phil and Earl hanging on but not with it. Bob Mcadoo playing his heart out. What's funny is that the team, looking at B-Ref, won a playoff series. Its just that it didn't feel like the Holtzman Knicks. The vibes matter as much as the outcomes I guess. Which is one of the reasons why its so easy to love this team, but now i'm wondering if I didn't give the '77 team its due.
Maybe not, but given the circumstances it's understandable. The 2001 WS was one of the greatest ever played IMO, but of course circumstances were very tough, and the outcome always wins out, or in that case kills the vibe.
The Starks head butt, too!
FOrgot about that because I wasn't yet a fan!
Thought this newsletter was incredibly helpful to prep for the series.
And I'll just say this: the way the Knicks played during the first quarter of Game 6 is the blueprint. I think that was honestly the best they have looked all season. It wasn't sustainable but it was also championship-levek intensity and execution. Gave me even more hope for this team now and moving forward.
Thanks so much Bobby. Agree on trying to replicate that. Smart shots, defensive connectivity. Trust your prep.
If you are a Knicks fan for 35 years or more, Reggie Miller is likely your most hated enemy player. Losing a key playoff game because Miller scored 8 points in 9 seconds, all the while taunting Spike and Knick fans, still burns. The faux choke and the other taunts are just icing on the cake. I can’t stand the sound of his voice, and I’d say I hate seeing him on TV,but that thing goes off if Miller is anywhere near a camera that might shoot his visage to my living room.
Putting ancient history aside, winning tonight is crucial. Got to hold home court, particularly in game one.
Public Enemy No. 1 for any Knicks fan over the age of 30
Reggie didn't engage in excessively dirty play. He was annoying, very annoying. Like he's still all time most annoying opponent. But he was kind of a professional wrestling opponent, it was all an act. The player that I come closest to hating is Joel Embiid hands down. And that hatred developed as a result of a series of plays that would make Draymond blush and that hurt Mitch. For me winning that series wasn't revenge, it was a reckoning.
It was a damn reckoning. Great call.
Agree with this take and add that Bam comes pretty close in what look like attempts to delberately injure.
The moving screen machine
Sooooo TRUE!!
Hate to say it, but I'd put 8 points in 9 seconds above the LJ four-point play, because the former gets brought up all the time whenever a team attempts a seemingly insurmountable comeback with only a few minutes to go. Whereas the LJ shot is also remembered primarily by Knicks fans.
Also, I'm surprised both you and Fred are suggesting Burks might play in this series, even a little. I know we're desperate for bodies, and the hypothetical Burks is more useful in this matchup than Precious. But the actual Burks looked absolutely *cooked* when he got here. Unless there was an injury the team didn't tell us about, and he's now looking great in practice, I'd honestly rather see Shake Milton play. And I can't imagine a universe where Shake Milton sees the court unless we're up 30 with a minute to go.
I’d rather see 34 minutes of Deuce (instead of 26) rather than 8 of Burks
Before coming to the Knicks Burks hit 40% of his 3s on high volume and 90% from the line. Of course he also shot <40% from 2... also on high volume. But I'd also prefer Shake, who's almost the exact opposite player. A good defender, he's happy to pass and shot nearly 47% from 2, but below 30% from 3.
Interesting thought.I do believe Thibs values D more than O for that 8th spot
Cooked is right. I was really disappointed in the Alec Burks that we got. This is a man who no longer trusts the pass. Rebounds and assists per 36 down compared to his prior stint, and turnovers are up. Maybe that's role, but the eye test wasn't great. But I wonder if there's a playoff Burks that can get coached into a role that works.
Very fair. I'm more thinking of the iconic shot of the Garden crowd exploding in unison being a top 20-30 all time NBA playoff highlight reel clip.
Fred made a good case for Precious on the pod. For Burks, I trust his ability to knock down an open 3. It's on defense where I may not trust him, and if you're an off ball airhead, like he tends to be, facing Indy is death. All that said, I think he'll at least get a *shot*
I believe Popper reported that Burks has been dealing with a shoulder issue since he's been on the Knicks
I’m too young to have memories of the choke gesture or 8 points in 9 seconds. My hatred for the Pacers stems from 2013 and that damn Hibbert block. I need payback for that
You're not the only one
The Summer of Slam
To the surprise of nobody I got a lot of streaming in over the last three days break, but by far the most New York of them all was Summer of Sam (1999) by Spike Lee, and Michael Imperioli as co-screenwriter. More Civil War films were consumed of course but none of them quite had the feel of the Summer of 1977 in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn where disco was everywhere, the mob still ran things, and two iconic NYC venues were in their heydays, Studio 54 and CBGB. It was easy to see the parallels to a Knicks vs. Pacers playoff series for what should be obvious reasons.
At that time the whole city went on lock down defense looking for a notorious blood soaked serial killer (not named Reggie Miller). He shot the lights out of 13 innocent people on his crazed rampage, often just young couples parked on secluded streets engaging in a little OG Anunoby defense on one another, but still scoring on every play. 6 died and 7 were scarred for life.
The cops asked the mob for help being their eyes and ears on the street but it was an observant citizen who brought the lunatic's crime spree to an end. She noticed a weird looking creep, staring at her with a dark object in his hand, get a parking ticket before leaving the area. That made it easy for the NYPD to hunt him down to a small and decrepit apartment in Yonkers with satanic writings scribbled all over its walls.
David Berkowitz, who called himself the Son of Sam, was nabbed shortly thereafter walking out to his car. The monster confessed on the spot, and the whole city let out a massive sigh of relief and got back to business as usual.
The Knicks may have already faced their own personal nightmare scenario in the form of the 76ers and their murderers row but new nutcase killers always seem to emerge looking for their 15 minute of fame as Andy Warhol once said. It will take an all out team defensive effort to stop the copycat killers in their tracks. Spike Lee was courtside for all of the previous Pacer games Knicks fans usually mention this time of year. It's easy to see why his 1999 horror film had to be made at that time by him, after enduring many attempts on his life as a fan with multiple daggers to the heart and gunshots to the head.
Summer of Sam was actually a loving tribute to the resilience of our city in the face of insanity by a man who had lived it all close up as a fan in MSG. The brutality of choke signs, 8 quick stab wounds to the chest, a butt to the head, or a back breaking spike of the ball back in our faces.
As horrific as all of that was in the 90s it produced a gorgeous work of art on film in the end that at least in this fan's eyes is personified by the Knicks of the current era. They can take the best shots and fend off the attacks on their right to survive, and just keep moving forward.
They can come at us with a knife or a gun or cryptic threatening letters meant to F with our heads, but we'll continue to pull together, close ranks, play for each other, and defy the odds of survival. That's what we've always done. That's what we will continue to do.
This is not the 70s or the 90s. This is our time. When this series is over the opponent's leader who we rejected, will be sitting in a jail cell for the rest of the Summer muttering to himself over and over again "Why didn't they draft me. Why?" It is not the Summer of Sam, it is the Summer of Slam in the Apple of our dreams.
I was in 7th grade for that. It was one of the things that taught me a certain heightened level of caution and awareness whenever I was out. I avoided the movie because those were not the best times for me, but I might check it out now. It marked a deeply difficult time to be a knick fan. Willis was coaching, and watching one of my idols struggle was actually part of growing up. Trying to combine disillusionment with keeping hold of what was good. Phil and Earl hanging on but not with it. Bob Mcadoo playing his heart out. What's funny is that the team, looking at B-Ref, won a playoff series. Its just that it didn't feel like the Holtzman Knicks. The vibes matter as much as the outcomes I guess. Which is one of the reasons why its so easy to love this team, but now i'm wondering if I didn't give the '77 team its due.
Maybe not, but given the circumstances it's understandable. The 2001 WS was one of the greatest ever played IMO, but of course circumstances were very tough, and the outcome always wins out, or in that case kills the vibe.
And quite frankly, I would rather see short stretches of Precious at the 4 than Burks
very fair