Knicks vs. Pistons Series Analysis: A Crucial Battle

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00:00What the Knicks have on their hands in this series is something that would be unforgivable

00:07and would require some level of change, I would imagine, if they do not get out of this

00:14series against the Detroit Pistons.

00:18If I told you it was Knicks-Pistons round number one preseason, you wouldn't have believed

00:23me, flatly.

00:25You just wouldn't have.

00:27So we're here.

00:27So, Coach, I'll let you dance first.

00:31What do you like here?

00:32New York and Detroit.

00:34I think it's going to be a battle, and the guy over Kevin's shoulder, over his right shoulder,

00:39is going to be a problem.

00:41You talk about villains all time, right?

00:44Reggie Miller.

00:45Trey Young.

00:46Yes, sir.

00:47Here comes another one, and his name is Cade Cunningham.

00:51Because his ability to score and literally going nuclear on the Knicks.

00:57You also look at the fact of the guy guarding him, the guy over my right shoulder,

01:03Dylan Brunson, make sure I get it right, is not a strong defender.

01:09You also have, what do you call them, second round tips.

01:12Because tips get to the playoffs, he gets to the second round, and then his team flames out.

01:17So, this is a critical time, because with New York, they have waited so long.

01:24They haven't been to the Eastern Conference Finals since 99.

01:26They haven't been to the NBA Finals since 94.

01:29I don't know 99 as well, but obviously 94 as well when they lost to Houston in seven games.

01:35This is such a critical moment for this franchise, because they've gone all in the last year and a half, right?

01:42Go get OG, go get Bridges, give up five picks.

01:46Too many, we all, we know.

01:47Go get Cat.

01:49You can't, Kevin, keep turning over the roster.

01:55At some point, you've got to start looking at, do you try to find a different voice?

02:01And I think in New York, you may not hear it a lot, but I'll say it.

02:08If the Knicks don't win, Tibbs is gone.

02:12He's gone.

02:13Because there are two people that you have New York ties that you can hire.

02:19Number one, don't laugh at me, Johnny Bryant.

02:23He was the associate head coach the last couple of years.

02:25Went with Kenny Atkinson.

02:26Very well respected.

02:27Really close with a lot of those Knicks guys, including Jalen Brunson.

02:32The second is Michael Malone.

02:36New York City guy.

02:38Dad Brendan was an assistant coach for when Isaiah was there.

02:42And although the Knicks, you don't want to say the words Isaiah Thomas in New York,

02:46he still has James Dolan's ear.

02:51That's like family, Michael Malone.

02:53But when you look at the series, the best bet to me is over five and a half games.

03:00Here's why.

03:02If Detroit wins, and I think the Knicks are going to win it, okay?

03:06If Detroit wins it, it is not going to be in four or five games.

03:11They're going to need six to close out our home or steal it in MSG in a game seven.

03:17The Knicks aren't good enough to sweep them.

03:22Could they win it in five?

03:24Yes.

03:25But I'm going to take the chances of four out of five chances I think it's going to end,

03:29ends with it in six or seven games.

03:32My best bet in this series, it goes over five and a half.

03:36It will be a tough series.

03:38And if this comes down to tips, and I'm going to be honest with you,

03:42what you get out of OG and Bridges.

03:48The Knicks offense was dynamic the first half of the year.

03:52I think they were top two or three in offensive rating.

03:54It fell off a cliff.

03:56Brunson got hurt.

03:58OG and Mikel stepped up, particularly OG.

04:01If the Knicks are going to make this a short series, if possible,

04:05I think people need to realize that OG and Mikel have to be,

04:09it's a big step-up spot for them in this series.

04:12They have to play really, really well.

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