The New York Knicks just won their first playoff series since 2013. So, the KFTV writers got together to share their thoughts as the Knicks enter Round 2 versus a familiar foe.
The last time the Knicks made the second round, I was 12, a 39-year-old Jason Kidd threw backdoor lobs to J.R. Smith, and New York struggled to score against Roy Hibbert’s verticality at the rim. A decade later, I’m finishing college, the ‘Hart Foundation’ is finding Obi Toppin on the break for high-stake windmills, and the Knicks have an opportunity to avenge the 2013 squad by defeating a gritty, defensive-minded Heat team led by Thibs-friend-turned-foe Playoff Jimmy Butler.
Below, the KFTV writing staff relives the immaculate vibes of the first-round gentleman’s sweep and gives their predictions for the newest chapter in the Knicks/Heat rivalry. So let’s get into it:
1. Who would you name as the Knicks’ MVP so far in the playoffs?
Geoffrey: Mitchell Robinson. He dominated the two 7-footers on the Cleveland Cavaliers and was so instrumental in anchoring the defense and creating extra possessions in the offensive end. Add that to the fact that he rarely got into foul trouble during this series. His performance made me feel that the contract he signed during the summer was more than justified.
Remi: I could make a case for Mitchell Robinson, but I’ll take Jalen Brunson. Brunson is a genuine star, leading the Knicks in points, assists, steals, and minutes so far. The Knicks will go as far as he takes them.
Gamba: The MVP would have to be Josh Hart. From providing sparks off the bench to filling in for Quentin Grimes despite suffering an ankle injury, Hart proved essential in all aspects of the game. Hart provided demoralizing rebounds, timely clutch buckets, and defensive intensity while taking on the tough assignment of covering Donovan Mitchell on a nightly basis.
Chip: Mitchell Robinson’s effort on the boards has made him the MVP of the playoffs so far. New York’s offensive rebounding was impressive, and it crushed Cleveland’s spirit. However, Robinson’s dominance was particularly crucial. During New York’s 4-1 series win, Mitch had 29 offensive rebounds.
Alex: Jalen Brunson, without question. His ability to keep the ship steady and still get his has been what is most impressive.
Mike: While Mitch has dominated, I have to go with Jalen Brunson. His presence has a calming effect on this entire team, especially in tense moments. The Cavs had NO answer for JB.
Luke: I mean, do I even need to say it? At Game 3 in Madison Square Garden, the crowd was ear-achingly loud. But one of the loudest pops of the whole evening was during the introduction when the announcer said Jalen Brunson’s name.
Jalen: For me, it’s a toss-up between Robinson and Brunson, but I’ll agree with Geoff and Chip here. Without Mitch’s pressure on the offensive glass and stellar rim protection, I don’t think the Knicks make it out of the first round, given they shot inefficiently the whole series.
2. What was the biggest surprise from the first-round series against Cleveland?
Geoffrey: The Knicks’ confidence. They knew they were the better and tougher team from Game 1 and played like it. Even when the Cavs swung the momentum their way, the Knicks never flinched.
Remi: It has to be Mitchell Robinson for me. He dominated his minutes at both ends of the floor. Isaiah Hartenstein was no slouch either. New York’s bigs played a fantastic series.
Gamba: The lack of an Immanuel Quickley presence, by far. From Sixth Man of the Year candidate to whatever that was in the first round. Although he still continued to play sound defense throughout the series, his offensive output left much to be desired. IQ was a shell of the player we saw close out the season, and the Knicks will need the former to continue to make a successful run this postseason.
Chip: The biggest surprise was RJ Barrett. The RJ haters have been out in full force this year, while the former No. 3 pick struggled again with consistency during the regular season. But watching the 22-year-old outplay Donovan Mitchell in a playoff series was incredible.
Alex: I thought the games would be more competitive from Cleveland’s perspective, but they weren’t. We knew that New York’s depth would be a problem for Cleveland. But what was unexpected was that New York could crank up their defensive intensity and smother the Cavs.
Mike: As a stan of this player, I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. All the flowers for Rowan Barrett Jr.! His aggression and poise filled a void the team desperately needed with Julius struggling, and he showed the world that he thrives under the brightest lights.
Luke: What surprised me the most was how eerily similar this whole series was to the Atlanta series in 2021. Just like the Knicks in 2021, most people assumed it would be a highly competitive series and the higher seed would win. What actually happened was a thrashing that will leave Cavaliers fans with an eternal fear of Jalen Brunson (like how Trae Young still lives rent-free for Knicks fans). It was very cathartic to see the roles reversed.
Jalen: Donovan Mitchell didn’t show up. I thought for sure he’d play well, but the Knicks never let him get any driving lanes, and he struggled to shoot from three for long stretches. He wasn’t even the best player on his team.
3. What is your biggest concern for the Knicks entering this matchup against Miami?
Geoffrey: Jimmy Butler. He’s been the best player in these playoffs so far, and he has the mental fortitude to handle the pressure of playing the villain role at The Garden. I still have faith in our guys because I don’t think Butler has had to face multiple strong defenders like Josh Hart or Quentin Grimes during this postseason, but it’s still a tall order to stop him.
Remi: Miami’s zone defense scares me even more than Jimmy Butler or Knicks-killer Kevin Love. The Knicks will have to shoot better than they did against the Cavs to win this series.
Gamba: The health of Julius Randle is the main concern at this point. With Jericho Sims out with rotator cuff surgery until next season’s training camp, at the earliest, the Knicks will need Randle’s size in case of foul trouble or an unforeseen injury to Mitchell Robinson or Isaiah Hartenstein. Obi Toppin has filled in a part of the gap with Randle out, but asking him to play minutes at the center position is likely not something Thibodeau & Company want to consider.
Chip: The most significant concern has to be Julius Randle. New York beat Cleveland despite more postseason struggles from their All-Star power forward, but the Heat are a different animal. Between Randle’s health and mediocre shooting, there’s plenty to be concerned about when facing a team like the Heat.
Alex: My biggest concern is stopping the Miami Heat’s hot scoring from three. The Heat are shooting 45 percent from downtown, and three-point defense has been a weak spot in New York’s defense because they protect the paint so heavily. Either the Heat cool off, or the Knicks up their closeouts.
Mike: Besides the obvious monster of Jimmy Butler, I am concerned about Miami’s shooters when we likely trap Jimmy. While they will provide us with mismatches on offense, the Knicks have to stay attached to Love, Strus, and Robinson to truly slow a confident Miami offense.
Luke: Tyler Herro’s injury is a huge advantage, but Miami has a similarly gritty, next-man-up mentality like the Knicks. Despite the fact we were 3-1 against them this year, two of those games came down to last-minute shots, and luck just happened to fall on our side. Those games were all stressful. I think Duncan Robinson could play a big role, as it seems his shooting touch has returned.
Jalen: Julius Randle’s health, as well as his play. The Knicks need him to be healthy and efficient. Evan Mobley was a tough matchup on a bad ankle. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo won’t be much easier, though.
4. Who or what will be the X-Factor for the Knicks against the Heat?
Geoffrey: Julius Randle. I don’t think he’ll be available for Game 1, but he has the ability to make this a great series. Randle is a matchup nightmare for any opposing team, and who could forget that game-winner he hit in Miami toward the end of the season? If he’s playing at even 85 percent, the Knicks have a great shot at winning the series.
Remi: If Julius Randle is healthy, he can be the difference maker in this series. If he’s not, these are about to be the most important games of Obi Toppin’s career. Either way, the Knicks’ starting power forward is my answer.
Gamba: This is a two-part answer for me. On the court, the X-Factor will continue to be RJ Barrett. When he was aggressive and efficient in Round 1 versus the Cavaliers, the Knicks won with relative ease compared to when he struggled. On the flip side of this coin, off the court, Tom Thibodeau will need to coach the series of his life against an equally experienced Erik Spoelstra, who has faced these types of odds multiple times in his coaching career.
Chip: The X-Factor will be RJ Barrett. If he plays like he did against Cleveland, we can compete against anyone. The Heat will dare him to shoot just like the Cavs did, so he can’t get sucked into becoming a spot-up shooter. RJ attacking the rim and being himself is huge for the Knicks.
Alex: Immanuel Quickley. As I discussed with Wes Goldberg on KFTV’s Game of the Week Preview (see above), Quickley was up and down the entire first-round series. He had solid performances in Games 3 and 5, but since the Knicks will be without Julius, he needs to be that consistent two-way player in this matchup to give Miami no chance of making this series close.
Mike: Julius Randle. If Randle can be the guy we saw for the first half of Game 5, the Knicks will have an excellent chance of winning this series. Stopping Randle would force the Heat to switch matchups, allowing potentially RJ or Mitch to take on a weaker matchup and thrive.
Luke: It needs to continue to be RJ Barrett. I’ve always had faith in Barrett. I knew my take of “be patient with RJ” would be vilified eventually, but I expected it to be next season just because of how underwhelming RJ played this year. RJ and Jimmy Butler might just be one of the best matchups of the entire playoffs.
Jalen: Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes. One or both will need to be effective on both ends of the floor in each game. The Knicks really need shooting, and they’re two of the best on the squad.
5. Prediction Time: Who wins, and in how many games?
Geoffrey: Knicks in 7. Lose Game 1, Win Game 2, Win Game 3, Lose Game 4, Win Game 5, Lose Game 6, Win Game 7.
Remi: I like how the Knicks matched up with Miami throughout the regular season. I know the playoffs are a different animal, but I still like the Knicks in five.
Gamba: With all that being said, the Knicks will win this series. Bust out your Ginuwine moves and get your brooms out! Knicks in 4. Book it. Playoff Jimmy has been tremendous, but the loss of Tyler Herro and the energy of The Garden, as well as MSG South, will prove too much for the Heat to overcome.
Chip: Knicks in six. Beat the Heat.
Alex: Knicks win in six. New York has the horses to defeat Miami. But I have to account for two games for Jimmy Butler and Eric Spoelstra.
Mike: This Knicks team is too deep for Jimmy to go god-mode all series. Knicks in 6!
Luke: Knicks in 7.
Jalen: Who is Duncan Robinson guarding? That’s food every single time. Knicks in 6!
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out this clip of Chris Herring, author of “Blood in the Garden,” talking about how Pat Riley betrayed the Knicks for the Heat in the 90s.
