Would you believe the Pacers beat the Knicks?
It took overtime, but you better do. Thankfully, the break is right around the corner, but not before New York dumps the Sixers in a grand pre-ASW finale.
Here’s a bunch of what was said before and after yesterday’s affair.
On defensive execution vs Indiana:
“We didn’t do a great job of getting into their airspace. We did a little better job in the second half, but by then, they were feeling pretty good about where they were in the game. The past 12, 15 games, we’ve been pretty good about getting to 3-point shooters. We’ve been pretty good about putting physicality on the ball and a lot of other areas defensively. Tonight, it wasn’t there — at least at the level that it has been, along with our communication. Got to give Indiana a lot of credit.”
“The Pacers did a great job offensively. We tried to, you know, tighten up as the game went along, which we did, but it just wasn’t quite enough to get it done. We had plenty of opportunity down the stretch to get it done, but when you give a team life from the beginning like we did, it’s gonna be hard.”
On missed opportunities late in the game:
“I thought Jalen down the stretch had some pretty good looks and got to the spots he normally gets to but he just came up short. We got the ball where we needed to get the ball. We got the looks that we wanted to look for during that time. Sometimes they just don’t go in and tonight was one of those nights.”
On the overtime collapse:
“They did a great job offensively. We tried to tighten up the game as we went along. We had plenty of opportunity to get it done. But when you give a team life like we did from the beginning like we did, it’s going to be hard.”
On dealing with prior adversity:
“Obviously we went through some adversity. We went 2-9 or something like that. You hate to lose games and I’m not signing up to lose games, but we have to struggle. I’m a believer that we have to struggle a couple of times this year. Whatever that means. And, it’s going to test our resolve as a group. You have to be connected if you want to give yourself a chance.”
On these losses helping the Knicks prepare for the upcoming playoffs:
“Playoff runs: there is nothing more stressful on an NBA level. Seven-game series, win four of them. That really tests your resolve. Because, man, a lot of things can happen. So be able to hit some adversity. Go through and stay connected and come out of it a little stronger than what you were going into it. It’s something I look forward to.”
On trusting Josh Hart’s scoring instincts:
“I don’t ever call a play for Josh and he finds his way. Teams keep putting their five on him and we tell him to let it fly. He’s really good because he knows when to let it fly.”
On Hart’s offensive impact:
“He makes a big difference offensively. It’s him because he knows how and when to pick his spots with it. Also when he was out and he came back, that first game in Portland, you felt his presence in transition. Whether he was bringing it or just filling that wing, you felt his presence and it’s much needed especially against the better teams.”
On Indiana’s competitiveness amid a lost season:
“Regardless of what their record is, they’re great. Great coach, they do everything well, they play hard, they play to the last second. Those qualities that they have, they’re gonna play every single night, regardless of what the record is.”
On the Knicks’ struggles vs. Indiana:
“Defensively, they had a rhythm early and they kept their confidence. Kept the rhythm throughout the entire game.”
On the lack of physicality on Tuesday:
“Just be a little bit more physical. They were in the rhythm. Pick up our intensity on the ball with our physicality and stuff like that, and off-ball, they’re moving really freely tonight, and they were in the rhythm all night.”
On offensive vs. defensive balance:
“Offensively wasn’t the problem tonight. Obviously, defensively, they had a rhythm early, and they kept their confidence and rhythm throughout the entire game.”
On defensive lapses early:
“We started off the first couple of minutes, we started playing well, but then we let them get a little comfortable.”
“Down the stretch, lack of execution. We gotta make sure at the end of the game, fourth quarter overtime is a little bit different. You can’t just run fast, but you got to be able to slow it down and execute, and call plays and get guys in good situations, and areas to be successful. I feel like that’s what we’re kind of lacking.”
On preferring passing over scoring these days:
“I turn down shots, I don’t know how many times. I love getting assists. I used to love scoring. Now, I love getting guys shots, getting guys involved. Sometimes, it’s the bad read because I should shoot it when I’m open, but I love getting guys shots.”
On the need to stay aggressive on the scoring at times:
“Games like Sunday are where that sacrifice is me having to go out there and be super aggressive and keep them honest.”
On adapting his role during his stint in Portland:
“I think I acquired it in Portland. Mark Tyndale, who’s here right now, I think one day I was venting to him. I was saying ‘bro I’m not getting the ball. I’m not getting any touches.’ He’s like ‘we’ve got Dame, we’ve got all these guys. We’re not saying you can’t score. We’re saying we’ve got guys that are better and that’s what they’re here to do.’ And from then on, I said ‘let me work out how I can help these guys and find them in good positions.’ It took a little bit of getting used to, but I think right now I’m in a good head space with it.”
On failing defensively against Indiana:
“They had tough shots and they made threes and on the other side, we didn’t make enough threes to combat the amount of shots they were hitting from the three. We didn’t reach that standard of defense that we have shown in recent and it came back to bite us today.”
“It’s different. Playing for the Knicks is a huge thing, but I’m literally a kid from the same streets the fans are, and to be part of everything here, it’s a blessing. It’s something I had to get used to and to get it out of the way, let’s get the ball rolling.”
On crowd ovations at the Garden:
“It was amazing. Being a kid from the city, for the city to show me love back, it’s one for the books. I really can’t explain it.”
On the loss in his debut:
“It’s not the outcome we wanted, but I’ll tell you this, it was a blessing to be out there. I can’t wait to continue growing and getting better.”
“I was nervous today, for sure. There was a lot going on. I was glad I got it out the way. I can’t wait to come back and get better and win some games here.”
On the decision to remove the player option from his contract to facilitate a trade:
“We can always see the side of the money and talk about it, but at the end of the day the passion is more than just the money. It’s being out there, missing the feeling of being out there, offense, defense. Just competing at a high level because I’m a competitor first. The situation with New York was a little bit different for me because I wasn’t really playing, so being able to be on another team and try to bring value on the court was really important. I was just missing being out there on the court, making mistakes, learning from it and trying to get better.”
On adjusting his contract to chase better opportunities:
“I love it out there with the team, the guys. The coaches, they did a great job of welcoming me the best way they can. Everybody’s telling me how happy they are for me to be out there on the team with them. It just makes it easy for me to have confidence and just feel good on the court.”
On the reason behind his decision:
“I mean the decision was, I wanna say pretty quick and easy. For me to be able to have that second chance at the NBA and come back here, I had to take a risk. So I would say it was nothing new to me. I was thinking about amending my contract and I thought that this was the best thing to do.”