AROUND the NBA:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

ESPN Insights: The New York Knicks this postseason: ? 43 days since their last loss ? Third team to win Game 1 & 2 of NBA Finals on the road ? Heading into Game 3 on the 2nd-longest single-season win streak in NBA playoff history ? 8th straight road playoff win

Jorge Sierra: Best point differential in NBA playoff history: 2013-14 Spurs: +214, 2016-17 Warriors: +230, 2025-26 KNICKS: +282. A run unlike any other.




x.com

[Chicagojk]

Knicks are playing great.   Spurs really need to get a win and punch the Knicks in the face and see if that magic disappears.   Maybe they can turn the series around, but it better happen fast.  

When I heard Wemby and the Spurs talking about winning the championship after the OKC series it made my ears perk up.  Maybe a language thing but it sounded like they thought the hard work was done.    They expected a coronation, they got a back room brawl.

I have never been a huge KAT fan.   Liked the talent but thought there was always stupid stuff he does and sometimes comes up short.   More work left, but this can be a career changing run for him.

[Dirknows]

Knicks are playing great.   Spurs really need to get a win and punch the Knicks in the face and see if that magic disappears.   Maybe they can turn the series around, but it better happen fast.  

When I heard Wemby and the Spurs talking about winning the championship after the OKC series it made my ears perk up.  Maybe a language thing but it sounded like they thought the hard work was done.    They expected a coronation, they got a back room brawl.

I have never been a huge KAT fan.   Liked the talent but thought there was always stupid stuff he does and sometimes comes up short.   More work left, but this can be a career changing run for him.

Yeah, did not really get the Wemby crying after winning the WCF thing. Spurs look worn down from the 7 game OKC series. Could never root for the Spurs so hope Brunson can bring it home for New York.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Oklahoma City Thunder certainly face some difficult roster decisions over the next few weeks as they weigh the team options they hold for Hartenstein, Dort and Williams, but sources insist that trading Chet Holmgren is not part of the plan. As one close observer to the playoff exit of last season's champions put it to The Stein Line: "He's the best defensive player in the league ... aside from one."

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

As much as the idea of Thunder splurging for Giannis to counter Wemby might make sense on paper, league sources with knowledge of the Thunder's thinking continue to dismiss them as a legitimate Giannis Antetokounmpo suitor. The Thunder obviously have the draft capital and an abundance of talented young players to get Milwaukee's attention, but it's wise in times like these to consider Sam Presti's history. Presti is hardly known for paying exorbitant trade costs to bolster his roster ... let alone for an older newcomer like Antetokounmpo would be at 31. You'll recall that Paul George was 27 — smack dab in the middle of his prime — when the Thunder acquired PG-13 from the Pacers without even sacrificing a draft pick in a swap that sent Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo to Indiana.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The most pressing piece of roster business in Cleveland, outside of the Cavaliers ironing out a future agreement with Harden, will come down to its decisions on Dean Wade and Keon Ellis as they seek to move out of the second apron. Sources say that team officials already concede behind the scenes that it will be extremely difficult to keep both players.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Charles Barkley stated that the New York Knicks' incredible playoff and Finals run reminds him of the 2004 Detroit Pistons. He noted that, like the legendary Pistons, the Knicks play as a complete collective unit, rely on stifling defense, and win by having a deep group of players who understand their roles rather than depending on one superstar.

With timely contributions from the starters and reserves, this Knicks unit has found itself on the brink of greatness, using a strategy Barkley last saw the Pistons use in 2004. Don't get it twisted; the Pistons had great players led by Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince, but they paled compared to the Lakers' fearsome foursome of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone.

sports.yahoo.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: The assault on an NYPD officer outside Madison Square Garden last night was unacceptable. New Yorkers are rightfully excited about the Knicks' historic Finals run, and we want fans to celebrate this moment together. There is, however, no place for violence, and no tolerance for attacks on police officers. Thank you to the officers who worked to keep fans safe throughout the night, and we wish the injured officer a speedy recovery. The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers celebrated responsibly, and I urge everyone to continue doing so as the Finals return to New York.

x.com


If the Knicks win this thing, Gotham City will be on high alert.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NBA: The NBA family mourns the passing of Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion and longtime Chicago Bulls television analyst. He was 59. Stacey made his mark on the game as a player, coach and commentator. For more than 20 years on Bulls broadcasts, his passion, knowledge and unmistakable energy resonated with generations of fans. We extend our deepest condolences to Stacey’s family and friends and the Bulls organization.

Twitter

[OBX Maverick]

NBA: The NBA family mourns the passing of Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion and longtime Chicago Bulls television analyst. He was 59. Stacey made his mark on the game as a player, coach and commentator. For more than 20 years on Bulls broadcasts, his passion, knowledge and unmistakable energy resonated with generations of fans. We extend our deepest condolences to Stacey’s family and friends and the Bulls organization.

Twitter

“Elizabeth, I’m coming! Oh Lawd, it’s the big one!”   RIP brother. You will be missed.

[ballsrchr]

Charles Barkley stated that the New York Knicks' incredible playoff and Finals run reminds him of the 2004 Detroit Pistons. He noted that, like the legendary Pistons, the Knicks play as a complete collective unit, rely on stifling defense, and win by having a deep group of players who understand their roles rather than depending on one superstar.


sports.yahoo.com

This is exactly the kind of team Brunson would excel with.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

A SeatGeek spokesperson said all of the Knicks’ three NBA Finals home games have priced above every Super Bowl with exception to Super Bowl LVIII, which took place in Las Vegas in 2024. Then, a SeatGeek spokesperson said average ticket prices cost $10,497 per person. Tickets for Game 3 and 4 at MSG are also more expensive than Super Bowl LVI, which took place in 2022 SoFi Stadium. Then, a SeatGeek spokesperson said average ticket prices cost $7,386 per person. If the Knicks hold a 3-2 series lead entering a possible Game 6, that demand could eclipse Super Bowl LVIII’s all-time record for highest average ticket price at a sporting event.

Forbes.com


[SNY] Josh Hart on the ticket prices for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at MSG: "I wish the ticket prices weren't as crazy as they are. A lot of people who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time unfortunately aren't able to get into the building. $7K, $8K is ridiculous."

reddit

[cow]

Castle is locked in.  Mitch might want to reconsider Bryant's minutes.

[SwisherPrice]

Knicks were finally due for a loss. I think they will need to utilize Alvarado more to win the series. They don't have another shot creator but he can at least put pressure on the defense in the half court as a ball handler.

[cow]

Suck it, JB.

[F Gump]

Knicks were finally due for a loss. 

Nah. Every game is a new world. There is no such thing as momentum in a playoff series these days (even though media narratives will try to make you think there is). SA simply outplayed NY in g 3. But either team can win g 4 (which is true of the rest, as well). And even if SA wins g 4, the same will be true in g 5 - it will be up for grabs, and the prior 2 games will be irrelevant.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NBA‬: 70 BLOCKS IN 20 POSTSEASON GAMES ? Victor Wembanyama has surpassed Dikembe Mutombo's 69 blocks during the 1994 postseason for the most blocks by a player in their first career playoff run since blocks were fully recorded.


bsky.app

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dylan Harper: "Before the game, we came out, and Jay Z just walked by me." SVP: Did you say what's up? "No." Did you make eye contact? "Nah. I acted like I didn't see him."

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Rowdy Knicks fanatics clashed with cops outside Bryant Park’s Game 3 watch party Monday night – including at least one who hurled a bottle at an officer. The sea of fans was already teetering over the edge just one hour after tip-off, as many didn’t make it inside the official watch park of the Knicks-Spurs game in the Midtown park. Huge brawls broke out and cops in riot gear rushed to control the unruly crowd, deploying pepper spray. The troublemakers, who largely appeared to be young people, even knocked down a metal bus sign and broke off large tree branches. Unruly youths took it in turns to try and knock over a bus sign near Bryant Park, wild video obtained by Freedom News shows. The circular sign eventually fell off after the pole had been rigorously shaken, and the moment sparked jubilant scenes.

New York Post
https://x.com/LegionHoops/status/2064197671590731982

If the Knicks happen to win the title, their rowdy fans are going to destroy anything in their path.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Heat Central: Lonzo Ball believes Prime Dwyane Wade is about EVEN with prime Kobe Bryant: “I got D Wade at 3. Right behind Kobe. And it ain’t far. I’ll die on that hill. D Wade is giving Kobe some fits. And MJ. They’re better, but it ain’t no walk in the park. Not a prime D Wade, no. It’s even to me. Kobe’s better, but it ain’t clear. Out of 10 days, he’s not getting the better of him all 10 days. I got 6-4… He has one of the best rings ever. Year 3, to take a team and be the man and get that sh*t done? I commend that.”

x.com

I disagree. Thoughts?