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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.