Reliving a Masterpiece

Let's revisit Game 5 one more time before we turn the page.

Good morning! As promised, I’m putting Tuesday’s massive win in perspective today, complete with 6 big takeaways, Stars of the Game, and a blow by blow of all the unheralded big moments from the victory, but first, a bit of news…

News & Notes

🏀 According to Shams, the Knicks are preparing to offer Tom Thibodeau a contract extension this summer that could be in the range of eight figures annually.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. With the organization on firmer footing than it has been in 25 if not 50 years, and with Thibs-type players laying the foundation of that culture because they fully embody their head coach, not trying to keep Thibodeau around would be an awfully strange decision.

As Fred Katz told me on today’s KFS pod, he would be shocked if a deal didn’t get done to keep Thibs around long term.

Game 5: Knicks 121, Pacers 91

Sit Down. Be Humble.

Six of ‘dem Thangs

That’s right…we’re doubling up the usual three in honor of a special effort.

1. Enough with the nonsense, Part 1. Days.

Days we were forced to listen to how Rick Carlisle had cooked up the greatest basketball innovation since Dr. James Naismith removed the bottom of a peach basket.

Aaron Nesmith, who overnight had apparently become the second coming of Tony Allen crossed with a pterodactyl, was put on Jalen Brunson, and voilà, problem solved. The guy who had been putting up Michael Jordan numbers for weeks had met his match. Ballgame over, let’s all go home.

Or not.

Forget the moment that Brunson put Nesmith on his tighty whities. That was just the most blatant example of Jalen’s return to form - a return to form which had very little to do with who was guarding him.

Yes, the Knicks made a key schematic adjustment which helped spring their star guard for some easier forays into his preferred workspace, but we were also reminded throughout the game that such adjustments are luxuries, not necessities:

Jalen Brunson, when he has been healthy, has now proven to be as unstoppable an offensive force as there is in the league. Before he arrived in New York, the franchise had seen just 14 40-point playoff games in its 75-year history, with half of those belonging to Bernard King. Now, it’s up to 20, as Jalen just notched his sixth such performance, and fifth in this postseason alone.

I guess Aaron Nesmith isn’t the magic eraser after all. Always struck me as more of ShamWow guy anyhow.