Stephen A. Smith loves his Knicks, respects the Pacers. Eastern Conference Finals gives him goosebumps
If there's one NBA franchise and fan base that won't overlook the Indiana Pacers, it's the New York Knicks.
The playoff history is well-documented. But here's a quick refresher: They've met eight times previously, and the Pacers have won five of those series — three straight, including last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, with the Pacers eliminating the Knicks in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.
The last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals? They beat the Pacers in 1999 ECF.
The last time the Pacers reached the NBA Finals? They beat the Knicks in 2000 ECF.
You get the idea.
There are few Knicks fans as loud as ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. And even he is wary of what lies in wait for New York.
'I'm almost getting goosebumps right now thinking about it... I respect Indiana, and I think Indiana can beat the New York Knicks," Smith said on Wednesday's First Take. "I'm not saying I'm picking them to do it, I'm saying they can beat the New York Knicks. Do not sleep on them. Do not underestimate them.'
But Smith made it clear: This series is going seven games and he's picking the Knicks to reach the NBA Finals.
'I respect the Indiana Pacers. And even though by and large due to injuries, they did beat the New York Knicks in the semifinals last year. We can't ignore they've got experience being at the Garden, and they won that Game 7 at the Garden," Smith said. "Ain't gonna be two years in a row. Ain't going to be two years in a row they're taking the New York Knicks out. Because I think this is a 7-game series written all over it… Losing back-to-back series to the Indiana Pacers, that's not something I'm buying into at all. Jalen Brunson is the Clutch Player of the Year. Mikal Bridges, Karl Anthony-Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart. Offensively the New York Knicks are better than they were last year…
"(The Pacers) deserve all the credit in the world, but again, they'll be going against the Clutch Player of the Year on his home turf. And we know this is going to be, we know this has got seven games written all over it."
After the Knicks eliminated the Celtics on Friday night, Smith reiterated he thinks the series will go seven games.
'I think it's got seven games written all over it. The Indiana Pacers aren't considered elite defensively, at least by some, but they're certainly big time offensively," Smith said Friday night. "They could put some points up in bunches. And they can get stops when they need to get stops.
"They are a well-balanced team. You don't look at anybody on their squad and I say 'superstar.' But they are to be big-time respected. Haliburton can ball. I don't anybody whose calling him overrated. He's not overrated. That brother can play. Myles Turner can play. Nembhard and Nesmith can play. Mathurin can play. They're well-balanced. They're exceptionally, exceptionally well-coached by a champion in Rick Carlisle, and they have no problem going up against the New York Knicks. They may have lost two or three meetings to them in the regular season, but they don't have any problem going against the New York Knicks. So the New York Knicks are going to have to show up. I think they're going to have to be more efficient offensively. I think they're going to have to be consistent defensively in order to win this series. It's got seven games written all over it. And I believe this series will come down to a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden for the right to go to the NBA Finals.'
ESPN's Kendrick Perkins, who admitted to overlooking the Pacers all season ("Shame on me."), agrees the series will go the distance.
'I got Knicks in seven. Perfect opportunity for the New York Knicks to get their lick back. Hell, the Knicks took the Pacers to seven games last year and Jalen Brunson, I believe, had a fractured thumb. Josh Hart had an abdominal strain. You had OG Anunoby, he was dealing with a hamstring issue. Now those guys are healthy with the addition of a Karl-Anthony Towns and a Mikal Bridges. And we're watching right now Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride have been providing some spectacular minutes off the bench on both ends of the floor.
"I believe this Knicks team is going to be ready for the Pacers. I'm not underestimating the Pacers. They play agenda-free basketball. They have a helluva coach in Rick Carlisle. They have a guy that's a real closer in Tyrese Haliburton, but he's not a better closer than Brunson. And I think Brunson along with Josh Hart's leadership is going to take this Knicks team to the NBA Finals. I agree with Stephen A. Smith, it's going to seven games. It's going to be a brawl for it all. But I have the Knicks winning this series in seven."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
30 years ago today: Rockets complete historic journey to second NBA championship
30 years ago today: Rockets complete historic journey to second NBA championship It was June 14, 1995, when Hakeem Olajuwon's Rockets completed perhaps the most iconic run to a championship in NBA history. Now 30 years later, we're taking a look back. On this day 30 years ago, the 1994-95 Rockets finished off what could be the toughest path to a championship in NBA history. NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Hakeem Olajuwon led Houston in Game 4 versus Orlando with 35 points and 15 rebounds, sending 'Clutch City' to a 113-101 home victory (box score) on June 14, 1995, and securing a series sweep. Mario Elie chipped in with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting (81.8%) from the field, including 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%). All-Stars Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee "Penny' Hardaway each scored 25 for the Magic. HoopsHype has more perspective on the historic journey by the sixth-seeded Rockets to a second consecutive NBA crown. According to research in which we looked at every team's path to their eventual championship wins, the 1994-95 Rockets had the toughest road ever to winning a title. The worst team they beat had a 57-25 record, and that was their Finals opponent, the Orlando Magic, who boasted a lineup featuring Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, amongst many valuable role players. In all, the 1995 run can be summed up perfectly by the postgame quote that night from legendary head coach Rudy Tomjanovich. 'Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion!' To this day, it remains the most recent NBA title for the Rockets. However, led by head coach Ime Udoka, the current Rockets would like to change that in the near future. More: Rockets, Mario Elie celebrate 30-year anniverary of iconic 'Kiss of Death' in NBA playoffs
New York Post
29 minutes ago
- New York Post
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff rips Knicks for firing Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau's Knicks sent J.B. Bickerstaff into offseason mode earlier than he wanted, yet the Pistons' coach is still sticking up for his former colleague. Bickerstaff joined the growing list of those criticizing the Knicks for moving on from Thibodeau after five seasons following their ouster in the Eastern Conference finals. While Bickerstaff did not specifically mention the franchise, his remarks came after being asked how the Knicks firing Thibodeau and seeking permission to talk to employed coaches is resonating across the NBA. 'I don't want to call it the cherry on top, but it's the final straw, I think, of what has happened this season and the level of respect that we feel coaches deserve versus what they are getting,' Bickerstaff said on ESPN Radio's 'Joe & Q' on Friday. 'Some of the decisions made down the stretch with firing coaches, it just shows that there are some places that don't value what coaching is and what it can bring. When you are a coach, you feel like there is a job that you have been told to do. And when you go out and do that job well, you should carry it over to the next year. If you have had past successes, that should envision future successes. You can't guess what the future is going to look like with somebody new.' 3 J.B. Bickerstaff coaching against the Knicks in the playoffs. JASON SZENES/ NY POST The Knicks' parting ways with Thibodeau has been a hotly debated topic, although there have been some notable names recently saying the Knicks made a mistake. Charles Barkley said the Knicks are the 'stupidest damn people,' Dick Vitale called the situation 'embarrassing' and suggested they actually re-hire Thibodeau and ESPN analyst and former NBA coach P.J. Carlesimo said the Knicks are their own worst enemy and believe they're smarter than everyone else. 3 Tom Thibodeau is out as Knicks coach. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The timing of this firing has confused some since the Knicks axed the veteran coach after the franchise's first conference finals run in 25 years and following a fourth playoff berth in five years. Bickerstaff, whose Pistons fell to the Knicks in six games in the first round, said coaches don't like seeing their brethren dismissed following a successful campaign. 'That's the difficult part from a coach's standing,' Bickerstaff said. 'We understand it and we know the job we signed up for is a dangerous job. But, from a coach's standpoint, it is our responsibility to be honest and tell the truth. Our job is extremely difficult. To win in the NBA is extremely difficult. To build teams in the NBA is extremely difficult. To lead guys, who have the superstar power in the NBA, is extremely difficult. So when a guy does a great job at it, from the outside looking in, we want to see that guy get rewarded. And it seems to be cases now where guys that do a great job aren't even being rewarded with a next year.' The Knicks felt they needed to make a change to improve their chances of winning a title, The Post previously reported, and some players did not love Thibodeau's approach. The team's search is off to a bumpy start with five teams — the Rockets (Ime Udoka), Timberwolves (Chris Finch), Hawks (Quin Snyder), Mavericks (Jason Kidd) and Bulls (Billy Donovan) — denying permission to talk to their respective coaches. 3 J.B. Bickerstaff congratulates Jalen Brunson after his shot eliminated the Pistons in Game 6. Getty Images The Knicks instead have now set up interviews with a pair of coaches who were dismissed during the season in Taylor Jenkins, formerly of the Grizzlies, and Mike Brown, who led the Kings.
San Francisco Chronicle
42 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Thunder embraced their moments of adversity this season. It paid off in Game 4 of the NBA Finals
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The book is called 'The Obstacle Is the Way.' It's a gift that Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault gave to Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein during a trying time this season, knowing the voracious reader would figure out the meaning. Message delivered. 'I read it and remembered that everything happens for a reason,' Hartenstein said. 'And after that, everything worked out great.' Such has been the story of the Thunder season. Such was the story of Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Faced with the biggest challenge of their season — a 10-point deficit in the second half, staring at a very real chance of the Indiana Pacers grabbing the almost-insurmountable 3-1 lead in the title round — the Thunder, once again, came away saying everything worked out great. Led by a dazzling and frantic finish from the reigning MVP and scoring champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — who had 15 of his 35 points in the final five minutes or so — the Thunder rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Indiana 111-104 on Friday night. The series is now tied 2-2, heading back to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Monday night, and it's the Thunder who have home-court advantage again. 'That was an uphill game against a great team,' Daigneault said after Game 4 in Indianapolis, simultaneously lauding his team while also raving about the Pacers. 'This is one of the best teams in the league in the last couple months, since All-Star break. They're a hard team to beat here. They're a hard team to beat, period. I thought we gutted it out on a night when we didn't have a lot going, especially offensively.' It was a night when the Thunder made only three 3-pointers and were shooting 45% with about five minutes left before Gilgeous-Alexander got going. He took 11 shots in the final 4:40 — three field-goal attempts, one of them a 3-point try, and eight free throws — and made them all. A perfect finish, on a night when little had gone to plan. 'It's unbelievable," Daigneault said. 'He really didn't have it going a lot of the night. He was laboring. We had a hard time shaking him free. For him to be able to flip the switch like that and get the rhythm he got just speaks to how great of a player he is.' It might not have seemed so to the outside world — those who fixated on things like Oklahoma City's 68-14 franchise-best record, its 16-game lead over its nearest challenger in the Western Conference standings, a record number of double-digit wins and how all of it was led by the MVP and scoring champion in Gilgeous-Alexander. But the Thunder did, in fact, face some adversity this season. They played without Chet Holmgren and Hartenstein for a while during the year. There was some flux to the lineup at times. Everybody probably had some sort of mini-slump along the way. There was a Game 1 loss in the second round to Denver. And Daigneault embraced every bit of that pain, knowing that for the Thunder to get to where they want to go adversity was going to present itself. Like the being-down-10, late-third-quarter sort of adversity that came up in Game 4. Just like Hartenstein was led to believe by the book, everything worked out great. 'We haven't really had to show it a lot this year, with the success we had in the regular season,' guard Jalen Williams said shortly before the team left for the flight back to Oklahoma City, where a huge crowd showed up in the middle of the night to greet the team at the airport — as they often do. 'We've had a lot of ups and downs during the playoffs. We've just learned from those experiences. That is something Mark is really big on; every game you should be able to learn, then the next game you should be able to apply something and get better at it. That's what we're trying to do every time.' The series is far from over and the Thunder know it. Indiana already has won once at Oklahoma City in these finals; surely, the Pacers think they can do it again. And even though the teams finished 18 wins apart in the final standings — OKC won 68 times, Indiana won 50 — it doesn't seem like 18 wins worth of disparity between the clubs right now. Indiana stole Game 1 at the end. Oklahoma City stole Game 4 at the end, albeit not as dramatically as the Pacers took the opener. Game 2 was pretty much controlled by the Thunder throughout; the Pacers had the best of the play for the majority of Game 3. Add it up, and it looks exactly like what it is — a 2-2 series going into Game 5. 'I still feel like we have so much work to do,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'Halfway there, obviously, but still so far from the finish line.' ___
