This episode of The Zach Lowe Show discusses the incredibly improbable comeback victory of the Indiana Pacers over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their playoff series. The hosts analyze the game's key moments and discuss the implications for the series moving forward. The latter half of the show features John Hollinger, who joins Lowe to discuss the offseason plans for several eliminated playoff teams.
The Knicks' Collapse and Pacers' Comeback: The Knicks blew a significant lead in the final minutes of regulation, allowing the Pacers to force overtime and ultimately win. This was due to a combination of poor defense, particularly against Aaron Nesmith, and several key missed opportunities on offense.
Aaron Nesmith's Breakout Performance: Nesmith, previously considered a low-impact player, had a phenomenal performance, hitting multiple clutch three-pointers. His success surprised many, including the hosts and former Celtics coaching staff members.
Tyrese Haliburton's Game-Winning Shot: Haliburton's game-winning shot was iconic, made even more remarkable by the fact that it was initially believed to be a three-pointer, but was actually a two. The controversy included the fact that he even initially thought it was a three-pointer, and wasn't even sure it went in until the final buzzer sounded.
Coaching Decisions: The hosts discussed the coaching decisions made by both Tom Thibodeau (Knicks) and Rick Carlisle (Pacers), particularly regarding the use of challenges and the decision to foul in the final seconds. Carlisle's strategic approach and successful challenge utilization were highlighted.
Offseason Team Analysis: The second half of the show focused on several teams eliminated from the playoffs and their offseason dilemmas and possible trades. The Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, and Cleveland Cavaliers were discussed, focusing on their roster decisions, contract situations, and potential trade scenarios.
The Knicks' defensive breakdowns in the final minutes stemmed from late switches, poor communication, and apparent fatigue. They allowed too much space for Aaron Nesmith, particularly on plays involving quick passes and screens from other Pacers players like Malachi Flynn. The hosts specifically pointed to the switches being late and the communication breaking down as key factors.
Chris Mannix left Madison Square Garden with 2 minutes and 51 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks had a comfortable 14-point lead (119-105). His initial reaction, while leaving, was to praise the Knicks fans for their dedication, as they weren't leaving early. Upon learning about the Knicks' collapse later in the press room, his reaction was one of disbelief and amazement at the incredible sequence of events that led to the Pacers' improbable comeback. He was texting members of the Celtics coaching staff from the years Aaron Nesmith played there, asking how they had missed his potential.
Rick Carlisle's strategic use of challenges in the final minutes proved crucial, as two successful challenges directly impacted the outcome of the game. Conversely, Tom Thibodeau's early and ultimately unsuccessful challenge wasted a valuable opportunity later in the game. The hosts also discussed Thibodeau's decision to foul up three with significant time remaining, a decision they deemed premature and ultimately detrimental. Carlisle's actions were praised for their effectiveness, while Thibodeau's decisions were criticized for costing his team the game.
The Sacramento Kings face several significant offseason challenges, including decisions regarding the team options for Keon Ellis and potential free agents; the Keegan Murray contract extension; and the overall direction of the team following mid-season coaching changes and front office turnover. Regarding Domantas Sabonis, the hosts explored several potential trade scenarios. One realistic possibility was a trade to the Chicago Bulls involving Nikola Vucevic; however, they also discussed less realistic (though entertaining) scenarios, like a trade to the Phoenix Suns involving Kevin Durant, and a trade to Portland, in part due to the family connection. A three-way trade involving the Suns, Kings, and another team as a solution to moving Sabonis was also considered.
Besides the Knicks-Pacers game and the offseason team analyses, the podcast also touched upon these topics:
Aura farming: A term explained by a basketball luminary to Zach Lowe, relating to Tyrese Haliburton's game and presence.
The Pacers' unusual comeback ability: The Pacers' multiple comebacks in the playoffs, including against Milwaukee and Cleveland, were discussed. Their relentless style of play was noted as a contributing factor.
Knicks' mental toughness: The hosts discussed the Knicks' mental resilience and their ability to overcome adversity in the playoffs.
The Knicks' offensive strategy: Debate occurred about whether the Knicks’ late-game offensive strategy (prevent mode) had a significant impact on their loss, with Lowe ultimately arguing that their defensive performance was the greater issue.
The use of challenges in the NBA: Lowe and Mannix discussed the tactical use of challenges and how it can significantly affect game outcomes.
The potential of Tyrese Haliburton: His exceptional performance and decision-making, including the controversial game-winning shot, were analyzed.
The Los Angeles Clippers' offseason plans: The discussion included James Harden's player option, Norm Powell's contract extension, and the potential of trading Kawhi Leonard.
The Atlanta Hawks' offseason: This revolved around Clint Capela and Trae Young's contract situations.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' offseason: The focus was on their expensive roster and the need to make tough decisions regarding player contracts and potential trades.
The Orlando Magic's situation: The analysis centered around their financial commitments to several players and the trade value of Jalen Suggs.
The Toronto Raptors' offseason: The discussion included their recent trade and their overall direction.
The Memphis Grizzlies: Briefly mentioned, but the hosts chose not to delve deeply into their situation.
The discussion of the Knicks' mental toughness centered on their ability to bounce back from adversity, particularly given their experiences throughout the season and the specific challenges of this playoff series. Lowe expressed a belief that, despite the devastating Game 1 loss, the Knicks possessed the mental fortitude to recover. He highlighted several players as examples:
Julius Randle: While not explicitly named in this section of mental toughness, Randle's past experiences and overall contributions to the team were implicitly part of the team's overall mental resilience.
RJ Barrett: Similar to Randle, Barrett's contributions and experience were implicitly part of the overall team's mental capacity to withstand pressure.
Micheal Bridges: Lowe specifically mentioned Bridges' difficult year, implying that his resilience in the face of personal challenges contributed to the team's overall mental strength.
Jalen Brunson: Brunson's veteran presence and experience were also cited as factors contributing to the team's mental toughness. His past experiences were seen as assets in handling setbacks.
Lowe acknowledged the severity of the collapse, noting that it was atypical for a team with Brunson's leadership and experience to blow such a significant late-game lead. However, he emphasized the team's collective mental strength, citing past instances of overcoming adversity throughout the season as evidence of their ability to recover from the Game 1 loss. The implication was that their past experiences equipped them to handle the emotional blow and strategize for Game 2. The discussion didn't delve into specific psychological techniques or strategies used by the team, but rather focused on the overall character and resilience exhibited by key players.
