Post by New York Knicks on Jun 20, 2023 18:59:30 GMT -6
Superstar Penny
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway had a solid regular season (19.3 PPG 6.8 RPG 4.1 APG). Decent numbers right? But in the 2nd round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, we saw a different side of Penny. We saw the potential superstar thats breaking out right in front of our eyes. We saw it in Game One, when he walked into Madison Square Garden and dropped 37 points (13/20 FG) 6 rebounds 3 assists and 3 steals. But it didn't stop there. He came right back in Game Two with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Game Three? He did it again with 32 points (14/21 FG) 8 rebounds 6 assists. Then in Game 6 with the Bulls season on the line, he scored 25 points with 7 assists. Overall for the series he averaged 26 PPG. He displayed the ability to be a true go to scorer, while playmaking, defending, and rebounding the basketball. Penny came into the league with the potential to become one of the most skilled and versatile players in the league. Hes just got alot closer to achieving that potential. So even though the Bulls ultimately lost in the second round, this was a very successful season for them. Winning 50 games. Getting to the East Semis. And further developing their future Superstar Penny.
Sweeping The Heat
I can't paint the narrative as rosy and positive in this. The Miami heat got SWEPT. They couldn't win a single game in the second round vs Toronto. Now I Undertand the Raptors are a great team. But you won 57 games in the regular season. You're no slouch yourself. And theres no reason the Heat shouldve gotten swept. There's no reason they should've been dominated this badly. They were outscored by 123 points in this 4 games. Thats almost 31 points per game!! Game One set the table for the rest of this series. They lost 122-86. They shot 34 % from the field. 2-time All Star Michael Carter Williams was held to 3/15 shooting for 8 total points. MCW duds was a common occurrence in this series. The very next game he scored 12 points on 5/24 shooting. The Heat went on to lose again 123-90. But the first 2 games were in Toronto. The Heat were gonna show a little more life in South Beach right? WRONG. Game 3 was another major blowout (124-97). Carter Williams shot a "little better" this time. His field goal percentage was above 30 % for the first time in the series. He shot 7/21 for 14 points. Finally the series ended in Game 4 with a 119-92 Raptor victory and sweep. Carter Williams struggled with his shooting once again (9/23). But he wasn't the only one. Billy Knight went 4 for 16. Alex Len (5-17 FG) got all of his attempts swatted to the parking lot by Greg Ostertag (10 blocks). And that was it for the Heat. Season Over.
Kenon's Last Game?
Last year the Utah Jazz won the Midwest Division and got to the Game 6 of the Western Conference Series. This year the Jazz finished 16 games back of Minnesota in the Midwest Division. And they had to play those same Wolves in the second round of the playoffs. Lets just say things did not go well. Game one the Jazz mustered only 70 points as they were defeated (83-70). They shot 30.0 % from the field with more turnovers (18) than assists (15). Game Two was a different story. The Jazz offense showed up in this one with 108 points on 50.0 % shooting. To go along with a 32 to 7 assist/turnover ratio. Unfortunately, that was final win of the series for Utah. They proceeded to lose the next 3 games, as the Wolves beat then 4-1 to advance to the WCF. One thing that caught my eye in this series was the play of 2-Time MVP Larry Kenon. He looked disinterested. He wasn't the demanding the basketball like a true superstar. He was just sorta going through the motions. Game one he scored 14 points (6/22 FG). Game two he scored 12 points (6/12 FG). Game Three he scored 17 points (8/16 FG). Game Four 25 points (11/21 FG). And finally Game Five 8 points (4/10 FG). That averages out to 15.2 points per game. 15 PPG in a playoff series? This is a guy that averages almost 25 PPG for his career. Hes won 2 MVPs in the last 4 years. What the hell is 15 points pee game? And 8 points in an elimination game? Are you serious Larry Kenon? After a performance like that, I believe Larry Kenon is mentally checked out from Utah. And with his contract expiring, I think he just played his final game there.
Blazers Choke Away 3-1 Lead
Blazers and Clippers have a long playoff history. With the Blazers usually getting the better end of LA. In previous years Portland bas swept the Clippers. And they also beat em in 5 games. This series looked like if was gonna end in 5 as well. Blazers were up 3-1 and had all the momentum heading into Game 5. Unfortunately once the game started, everybody not named Elvin Hayes disappeared. Hayes was a monster in this one with 35 points and 11 rebound. But the rest of the starting lineup (McNeil, Paultz, Wicks, and Smith) combined for only 45 points between the 4 of them. Paultz went 4/18 from the field with 4 turnovers. So they were basically playing 5 vs 1. Clippers vs Elvin Hayes. Thats why LAC won 107-93. And the game wasn't even as close as the Final score. Blazers were down 24 points heading into the 4th quarter. That poor performance carried over into Game 6 as they lost again (103-86). And in Game 7, this time Hayes was the one didn't show up. He shot miserably from the field. 3/15 for 9 points and 4 turnovers. Due to that performance the Blazers lost the critical seven by a final score of 104-101. Just 3 freaking points. If hayes just made 2 more shots, the Blazers would've been heading to the Western Conference Finals. Instead its going be the Clippers facing off against the Wolves. But they got one big problem...
Al Skinner Out For The Year
Clippers starting point guard Al Skinner has a bulging disc in his back, and he will be shutdown for the remainder of the playoffs. He saw fhe injury occur early in Game 6 as he left after only playing 4 minutes. Nicon Mannion stepped up running the point with 24 points 8 rebounds 3 assists and 4 three pointers. Skinner sat out Game 7, and Nico stepped up once again with 21 points and 7 assists. Now the Clippers go into this tough Timberwolves series shorthanded. According to their intial depth chart, it looks like Mike Gale and Nico Mannion will both be starting in the backcourt for LA. With George Gervin getting moved to the bench. The dual point guard lineup makes sense in this matchup, since the Wolves have a 2 small guard lineup of their own with Tyrese Maxey and Downtown Freddy Brown. Should be a fun fast WCF matchup between these two teams. It just sucks that Skinner won't be apart of it.
Gilmore Returns For ECF
Speaking of injuries it looks like the New York Knicks will finally have a healthy Artis Gilmore (knock on wood) as they prepare to play the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals. Gilmore suffered an injury toward the end of the regular season, which caused him to miss the entire First Round. Then he returned for Game 1 vs Chicago in the second round. And guess what happened? He got hurt again. Which caused him to miss the entire series. His absence was felt by the Knicks. Missing their team leading rebounder Gilmore, in Game Two they were ourebounded 74-52. Overall in the final 5 games of the series New York finished -29 in Reb Differential (almost -6.0 per game). They need Gilmore back so they dont get killed on the glass vs Embiid, Ostertag, and the rest of that Raptors frontline.
Killian Is Killing
Another thing the Knicks are gonna need to do? Not get killed by Killian Hayes. He is on a rampage. You remember how poorly Michael Carter Williams played in that Mia/Tor series? HAYES was the exact opposite. Game one he almost had a triple double (27 points 14 assists 8 rebounds). Game two he scored 41 points on 17/27 shooting. Game three he put up 35 points and 11 assists. Game four he finished up with 31 points and 13 assists. That was 33.5 PPG in the 2nd round. The only player whos been performing on that level is LaMelo ball. And now we're about to see the both of them go at it. Knicks vs Raptors. LaMelo vs Hayes. Ding ding. Its on motherfuckers.
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway had a solid regular season (19.3 PPG 6.8 RPG 4.1 APG). Decent numbers right? But in the 2nd round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, we saw a different side of Penny. We saw the potential superstar thats breaking out right in front of our eyes. We saw it in Game One, when he walked into Madison Square Garden and dropped 37 points (13/20 FG) 6 rebounds 3 assists and 3 steals. But it didn't stop there. He came right back in Game Two with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Game Three? He did it again with 32 points (14/21 FG) 8 rebounds 6 assists. Then in Game 6 with the Bulls season on the line, he scored 25 points with 7 assists. Overall for the series he averaged 26 PPG. He displayed the ability to be a true go to scorer, while playmaking, defending, and rebounding the basketball. Penny came into the league with the potential to become one of the most skilled and versatile players in the league. Hes just got alot closer to achieving that potential. So even though the Bulls ultimately lost in the second round, this was a very successful season for them. Winning 50 games. Getting to the East Semis. And further developing their future Superstar Penny.
Sweeping The Heat
I can't paint the narrative as rosy and positive in this. The Miami heat got SWEPT. They couldn't win a single game in the second round vs Toronto. Now I Undertand the Raptors are a great team. But you won 57 games in the regular season. You're no slouch yourself. And theres no reason the Heat shouldve gotten swept. There's no reason they should've been dominated this badly. They were outscored by 123 points in this 4 games. Thats almost 31 points per game!! Game One set the table for the rest of this series. They lost 122-86. They shot 34 % from the field. 2-time All Star Michael Carter Williams was held to 3/15 shooting for 8 total points. MCW duds was a common occurrence in this series. The very next game he scored 12 points on 5/24 shooting. The Heat went on to lose again 123-90. But the first 2 games were in Toronto. The Heat were gonna show a little more life in South Beach right? WRONG. Game 3 was another major blowout (124-97). Carter Williams shot a "little better" this time. His field goal percentage was above 30 % for the first time in the series. He shot 7/21 for 14 points. Finally the series ended in Game 4 with a 119-92 Raptor victory and sweep. Carter Williams struggled with his shooting once again (9/23). But he wasn't the only one. Billy Knight went 4 for 16. Alex Len (5-17 FG) got all of his attempts swatted to the parking lot by Greg Ostertag (10 blocks). And that was it for the Heat. Season Over.
Kenon's Last Game?
Last year the Utah Jazz won the Midwest Division and got to the Game 6 of the Western Conference Series. This year the Jazz finished 16 games back of Minnesota in the Midwest Division. And they had to play those same Wolves in the second round of the playoffs. Lets just say things did not go well. Game one the Jazz mustered only 70 points as they were defeated (83-70). They shot 30.0 % from the field with more turnovers (18) than assists (15). Game Two was a different story. The Jazz offense showed up in this one with 108 points on 50.0 % shooting. To go along with a 32 to 7 assist/turnover ratio. Unfortunately, that was final win of the series for Utah. They proceeded to lose the next 3 games, as the Wolves beat then 4-1 to advance to the WCF. One thing that caught my eye in this series was the play of 2-Time MVP Larry Kenon. He looked disinterested. He wasn't the demanding the basketball like a true superstar. He was just sorta going through the motions. Game one he scored 14 points (6/22 FG). Game two he scored 12 points (6/12 FG). Game Three he scored 17 points (8/16 FG). Game Four 25 points (11/21 FG). And finally Game Five 8 points (4/10 FG). That averages out to 15.2 points per game. 15 PPG in a playoff series? This is a guy that averages almost 25 PPG for his career. Hes won 2 MVPs in the last 4 years. What the hell is 15 points pee game? And 8 points in an elimination game? Are you serious Larry Kenon? After a performance like that, I believe Larry Kenon is mentally checked out from Utah. And with his contract expiring, I think he just played his final game there.
Blazers Choke Away 3-1 Lead
Blazers and Clippers have a long playoff history. With the Blazers usually getting the better end of LA. In previous years Portland bas swept the Clippers. And they also beat em in 5 games. This series looked like if was gonna end in 5 as well. Blazers were up 3-1 and had all the momentum heading into Game 5. Unfortunately once the game started, everybody not named Elvin Hayes disappeared. Hayes was a monster in this one with 35 points and 11 rebound. But the rest of the starting lineup (McNeil, Paultz, Wicks, and Smith) combined for only 45 points between the 4 of them. Paultz went 4/18 from the field with 4 turnovers. So they were basically playing 5 vs 1. Clippers vs Elvin Hayes. Thats why LAC won 107-93. And the game wasn't even as close as the Final score. Blazers were down 24 points heading into the 4th quarter. That poor performance carried over into Game 6 as they lost again (103-86). And in Game 7, this time Hayes was the one didn't show up. He shot miserably from the field. 3/15 for 9 points and 4 turnovers. Due to that performance the Blazers lost the critical seven by a final score of 104-101. Just 3 freaking points. If hayes just made 2 more shots, the Blazers would've been heading to the Western Conference Finals. Instead its going be the Clippers facing off against the Wolves. But they got one big problem...
Al Skinner Out For The Year
Clippers starting point guard Al Skinner has a bulging disc in his back, and he will be shutdown for the remainder of the playoffs. He saw fhe injury occur early in Game 6 as he left after only playing 4 minutes. Nicon Mannion stepped up running the point with 24 points 8 rebounds 3 assists and 4 three pointers. Skinner sat out Game 7, and Nico stepped up once again with 21 points and 7 assists. Now the Clippers go into this tough Timberwolves series shorthanded. According to their intial depth chart, it looks like Mike Gale and Nico Mannion will both be starting in the backcourt for LA. With George Gervin getting moved to the bench. The dual point guard lineup makes sense in this matchup, since the Wolves have a 2 small guard lineup of their own with Tyrese Maxey and Downtown Freddy Brown. Should be a fun fast WCF matchup between these two teams. It just sucks that Skinner won't be apart of it.
Gilmore Returns For ECF
Speaking of injuries it looks like the New York Knicks will finally have a healthy Artis Gilmore (knock on wood) as they prepare to play the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals. Gilmore suffered an injury toward the end of the regular season, which caused him to miss the entire First Round. Then he returned for Game 1 vs Chicago in the second round. And guess what happened? He got hurt again. Which caused him to miss the entire series. His absence was felt by the Knicks. Missing their team leading rebounder Gilmore, in Game Two they were ourebounded 74-52. Overall in the final 5 games of the series New York finished -29 in Reb Differential (almost -6.0 per game). They need Gilmore back so they dont get killed on the glass vs Embiid, Ostertag, and the rest of that Raptors frontline.
Killian Is Killing
Another thing the Knicks are gonna need to do? Not get killed by Killian Hayes. He is on a rampage. You remember how poorly Michael Carter Williams played in that Mia/Tor series? HAYES was the exact opposite. Game one he almost had a triple double (27 points 14 assists 8 rebounds). Game two he scored 41 points on 17/27 shooting. Game three he put up 35 points and 11 assists. Game four he finished up with 31 points and 13 assists. That was 33.5 PPG in the 2nd round. The only player whos been performing on that level is LaMelo ball. And now we're about to see the both of them go at it. Knicks vs Raptors. LaMelo vs Hayes. Ding ding. Its on motherfuckers.
