A Quiet Place Part 2: New York

The younger generation is staking their claim for NBA supremacy. The old era meets the new, and neither side are pulling their punches. The days of the “Can’t Win” narrative are over, these players must be given their flowers.

The Mecca

Madison Square Garden is where dreams go to die. Fans both young and old packed into the arena for Game 5...hoping that their New York Knicks could rise from the ashes to force a Game 6. 

Prior to Game 5, chatter and trash talk between both teams were heightened. With Clint Capela calling members of the New York Knicks [Julius Randle] “fake tough guys”, along with RJ Barrett guaranteeing a win in the Garden...this game was going to be electric.

Photo From: Yahoo Sports

Julius Randle’s response to Clint’s comments on him being a “fake tough guy”

“Why would I give a hell what Clint Capela has to say?”

Early on in the game, it was apparent that the Knicks had still not found an answer to the Trae Young screen and roll. Time and time again, they allowed him to waltz into the lane and put them in jail. The Knicks did not take away an option from Trae, allowing him to either drop in floaters from 6 feet or fake a shot into a Capela or Collins alley-oop.

While watching these games, I always try to look for how a team responds to adversity, and how their demeanor ultimately changes based on the outcome. Both Atlanta’s coaching staff and players did not have an ounce of concern in their faces. They knew they were the better team. 

The Knicks offense seemed rudderless. Players would try and iso, only to be contained and have to kick it out to reset the possession. In turn, this led to many late shot clock heave up fade away jumpers from none other than Julius Randle.

Julius Randle: A Series To Forget

This slander must be prefaced with my adoration for Julius Randle. Julius came into the league with high expectations and did not perform immediately. However, through hard work, dedication, and the right system...he was able to be selected to his first All-Star team this season.

What baffled me about this series was how Julius Randle refused to adapt to the defense that Atlanta was showing him. John Collins often served as the primary defender for Julius, giving him a foot of space on the perimeter, daring him to shoot contested fade away jumpers. Julius fell right into Atlanta’s trap. Instead of putting his head down and driving to the lane with the intent of seeking contact, Julius would reach the free throw line...just to take an off-balance step back jumper.

I was yelling at my TV screen “Stop shooting those!”. I can only imagine how the fans in The Garden reacted.

Photo From: Yahoo.com

Julius Randle being baited into another stepback, off-balance fadeaway jumper from deep

The NBA Playoffs are all about adjustments. Atlanta realized that New York doesn’t have a set offense, or a slew of players who can all get you 20 points on any given night. However, the Hawks absolutely have that type of offensive firepower.

Clint Capela

We must give credit when credit is due. Clint Capela backed up all of his trash talk in Game 5. Serving as a defensive stallworth, Clint blocked 2 shots...with countless other contests that deterred The Knicks from scoring in the paint. As the game went on, you could see how some Knicks players chose to shoot a jumper, rather than book a ticket to Capela Island. 

Tom Thibbodeau, what was your gameplan?

You have to make Clint Capela uncomfortable. 

How do you do that? 

Trap Trae at the top of the key on every screen and roll, and force him to dump the ball off to Clint near the free throw line. Force Clint to have to be a facilitator. Much to my surprise, no such strategy was invoked, and the outcome was as is.

The Villain of New York

Trae Young’s villain origin story is a good one. 

After Dallas and Atlanta traded picks, Trae Young was drafted a pick before Luka Doncic. This decision will haunt Atlanta forever...or will it?

In the same amount of years in the league, Luka and Trae are both taking the league by storm. But Luka constantly gets the lump sum of recognition, while Trae is looking on behind the curtains. No matter how good Trae turns out to be, fans will always be dismayed knowing Atlanta chose him over The Don.

This only fueled Trae. 

To throw gasoline on the villain narrative, Trae Young’s style of play upsets many people. He excels at putting defenders in jail to bait and draw fouls. Regardless of my opinion on the matter, his strategy works and is highly effective.

Combine all of this together with him playing in one of the most hostile arenas in the world, and we have a perfect stew of animosity.

From Game 1, Trae did not seem phased by the MSG crowd. To prove it, he gave them a memorable sendoff to remember him by. With a minute left in the game, the MSG crowd rose to their feet to applaud their New York Knicks for wildly overachieving this season. 

Trae saw this and chose violence. 

Immediately launching a pull-back three pointer in Reggie Bullock’s eye, to place the final dagger in the heart of The Garden.

And scene. 

Trae turned around and took a final bow on the Knicks logo at center court. The show was over.

Photo From: Larry Brown Sports

Trae Young postgame response on why he took a bow

“I know there are a lot of shows in this city and I know what they do when the show is over”

Trae proved to the doubters that he could be a winning player in the postseason. Getting through the 1st round is a great way to start your playoff career, but the real work starts now.

Atlanta gets ready to face a deep, defensive juggernaut in the Philadelphia 76ers. We’ll see how they hold up. With Joel Embiid’s status in question, the Hawks must look to strike first while the Sixers are weak.

Can’t wait for Round 2, this is Playoff Basketball.