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Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

Aaron Nesmith's ankle injury is a more significant X-factor for the Knicks-Pacers series than any tactical adjustment.

Another thing I'm gonna say is that a big factor is Aaron Nesmith's ankle. That potentially is a huge X factor. And another reason why, if you're a Knicks fan, you think that you can do it. That to me, more than any Xs and O thing or whatever lineup you wanna play or who's ever got a hot shot, that potentially is a huge X factor.

The relative impact of an injury versus tactics is a matter of analyst opinion.

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Void
May 27, 2025
#6862
Big CatBig Cat

Carl Anthony Towns is at his best when he remembers he is seven feet tall and can drive to the rim

You know when Carl Anthony Towns is going to that next level where he realizes, oh yeah, I'm seven feet. I could just go to the rim and score on these guys. It feels like the threes happen, he can get into that groove of threes after he reminds himself like, oh yeah, I can drive on these guys. He got like a big and one and it almost like unlocked something in his brain. He's like, I'm Carl Anthony Towns. I'm big purr.

This is a subjective analysis of a player's mindset and game-flow preference.
Loss
May 27, 2025
#6863
MemesMemes

The Knicks have been playing better without Jalen Brunson this series

For some reason, the series, [the Knicks] are just playing better without [Jalen Brunson]. This series. They have been playing better without him when he is off the court.

While potentially backed by some net-rating numbers in specific stretches, suggesting the Knicks are better without their MVP candidate is widely considered incorrect.
Void
May 27, 2025
#6864
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Stanley Cup and NBA Finals should be scheduled to happen at the same time

What I'm rooting for is for the Stanley Cup and the NBA finals to happen at the same time. Yeah, I, well, around the same time. I don't know how the schedules work out with like how they're set. But I would just prefer to not have one series be over while the other sport is still going on.

This is a subjective preference for sports scheduling.

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Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

The Thunder, Timberwolves, and Nuggets title windows will stay open through the end of the decade.

SGA is like 26. Jalen Williams is the third season, Chet, this is technically his third season, but he's only played two seasons. I could see these three guys, us talking about these three guys in playoff games like this for the rest of the decade.

This will be determined by the performance of these teams through 2030.
Win
Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

The Timberwolves will likely be forced to break up their core roster next season due to the salary cap.

I don't think they can keep this team together. The core, the big piece is they can, but, so Julius Randle's a free agent, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a free agent, and Naz Reed is a free agent. He has an opt-out... I would be surprised if they were able to re-sign all three guys.

The Timberwolves did indeed lose Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency and traded Julius Randle in the following offseason to manage the cap.
Win
Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

LeBron James will not take a pay cut on his next contract with the Lakers

I do not think it's in the cards that he's taking less money. It's not that necessarily he wants every dime, although he does want every dime. I don't think he believes that free agency is got anybody in it where if he takes less money that the Lakers could go use their mid-level and like have a transformational player. The intention is for him to continue to make all of the max which he has earned.

LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season, not taking a pay cut. He took the full amount.

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