Post by Belgrade on Jun 23, 2015 16:53:58 GMT -6
One of the most anticipated matchups in round 1 will take place between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.
Earlier this season, Pacers management made a controversial trade, sending their first round pick to Milan in exchange for SF Gerald Wilkins. The trade was deemed a terrible move by most GMs across the league, as 18 of 19 GMs polled at the time suggested the trade favoured Milan.
The widely respected Knicks GM, who happens to mentor the new Milan GM, was especially critical of the deal: “Yeah when Milan showed me this deal I told him it was a no brainer”.
From Milan’s perceptive, this statement is absolutely true. The team finished at the bottom of the standings last year, and while the new GM has done well to make the team more competitive, they still lack identity. The roster is nothing more then a bunch of washed up veterans and two mediocre prospects in Zach Randolph and Richard Jefferson. So trading a player like Wilkins for a 1st round pick is an absolute no brainer.
Pacers fans, however, did not appreciate the comment. They were happy their management was looking to compete now, even if it meant mortgaging their future a little bit.
At the time of the trade, the Pacers sat well outside the playoff picture with a 24-24 record. Since making the trade, the Pacers have gone 21-13 and have sneaked into the playoffs. During this stretch, Wilkins has been a solid contributor, averaging 17.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 3.6 apg. On the other side the trade, Milan will pick 20th in the upcoming draft.
Even with the momentum, not many people are giving the Pacers a chance. The Knicks are heavily favoured, winning 65 games this season in a very competitive American conference, and grabbing the top spot in the conference.
The Knicks also won all 3 matchups against the Pacers this season – by an average of 35 points. In the most recent matchup, Wilkins scored just 9 points in a 138-90 blowout.
The Knicks come in with 4 players averaging 20 or more points per game:
- Adrian Dantley, 29.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.0 apg
- Zoran Slavnic, 23.1 ppg, 13.2 apg, 4.7 rpg
- Otis Birdsong, 22.3 ppg, 8.4 apg, 3.7 rpg
- Elvin Hayes, 20.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 4.0 apg
The Pacers come in with a young Shaquille O’Neal leading their frontcourt, and support from Wilkins and Vinnie Johnson. The Pacers will also need a big series from Dennis Johnson if they have any chance of winning a game.
When approached on Slack today, Knicks GM did his best to settle the hype around the series, saying “Lol at heated rivalry. Not sure that’s what I’d call it”. While most people took the comment as an attempt to take focus off the issue, some Pacers fans felt the comment minimized the matchup.
Earlier this season, Pacers management made a controversial trade, sending their first round pick to Milan in exchange for SF Gerald Wilkins. The trade was deemed a terrible move by most GMs across the league, as 18 of 19 GMs polled at the time suggested the trade favoured Milan.
The widely respected Knicks GM, who happens to mentor the new Milan GM, was especially critical of the deal: “Yeah when Milan showed me this deal I told him it was a no brainer”.
From Milan’s perceptive, this statement is absolutely true. The team finished at the bottom of the standings last year, and while the new GM has done well to make the team more competitive, they still lack identity. The roster is nothing more then a bunch of washed up veterans and two mediocre prospects in Zach Randolph and Richard Jefferson. So trading a player like Wilkins for a 1st round pick is an absolute no brainer.
Pacers fans, however, did not appreciate the comment. They were happy their management was looking to compete now, even if it meant mortgaging their future a little bit.
At the time of the trade, the Pacers sat well outside the playoff picture with a 24-24 record. Since making the trade, the Pacers have gone 21-13 and have sneaked into the playoffs. During this stretch, Wilkins has been a solid contributor, averaging 17.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 3.6 apg. On the other side the trade, Milan will pick 20th in the upcoming draft.
Even with the momentum, not many people are giving the Pacers a chance. The Knicks are heavily favoured, winning 65 games this season in a very competitive American conference, and grabbing the top spot in the conference.
The Knicks also won all 3 matchups against the Pacers this season – by an average of 35 points. In the most recent matchup, Wilkins scored just 9 points in a 138-90 blowout.
The Knicks come in with 4 players averaging 20 or more points per game:
- Adrian Dantley, 29.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.0 apg
- Zoran Slavnic, 23.1 ppg, 13.2 apg, 4.7 rpg
- Otis Birdsong, 22.3 ppg, 8.4 apg, 3.7 rpg
- Elvin Hayes, 20.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 4.0 apg
The Pacers come in with a young Shaquille O’Neal leading their frontcourt, and support from Wilkins and Vinnie Johnson. The Pacers will also need a big series from Dennis Johnson if they have any chance of winning a game.
When approached on Slack today, Knicks GM did his best to settle the hype around the series, saying “Lol at heated rivalry. Not sure that’s what I’d call it”. While most people took the comment as an attempt to take focus off the issue, some Pacers fans felt the comment minimized the matchup.
