AROUND the NBA: ATL Jumps from #10 to #1 in Lotto| Pistons Mull Firing GM

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NY will beat the Pacers easily. I can’t believe Brunson is getting a team to a conference finals. I hope Luka can at least match him. I wonder sometimes how the Mavs would be if they had been smart and locked Brunson up early. But, when I go through it in my head I have them in about same position. They don’t have Lively, but they probably are a little better on the wings as they would have invested their trade assets there instead of with Kyrie. So, it’s basically Brunson and someone like Siakam vs Kyrie and DLive. I’m okay either way but with Wemby emerging, the Mavs will benefit to have a long, athletic center available to match up.

We'll never know. But I think Brunson would have worked. I also don't know if he stays if Cuban extended him. Kyrie and Brunson both are tough shot makers and takers. But Brunson didn't want to be the second fiddle here. He wanted to run his own team, and he's blown up big since he left. Kyrie doesn't want or need to be the headliner. He's fine being the second option wherever he's played, Cleveland,  Boston, Brooklyn, etc. Pacers won't be a walk in the park. They won the season series 3-1, but it doesn't matter now, it's the playoffs. It won't be a EASY series as you suggest. They are hard to play because of their style of play, pace, and shot making ability. Pacers must keep the Knicks off the boards, especially offensively. Knicks are one of the best teams in rebounding. This could be a 6-7 game series.