The New York Knicks have dug themselves into an enormous hole in the Eastern Conference Finals, and Josh Hart has one suggestion he believes could help get them out of it.
The Knicks now trail 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals after losing to the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Friday night. Following the 114-109 loss, Hart said he believes New York needs big man Mitchell Robinson on the floor more in the series going forward.
"We have to figure out ways ... I think he played [29] minutes ... figure out ways if he can play more," Hart told reporters, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post. "We’re great with him on [the floor]. We all got to be willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team."
Hart is right that the Knicks have been better against the Pacers with Robinson on the floor. Through two games in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks are +6 when Robinson is on the floor and -14 when the 7-foot center is on the bench. Hart feels that it is not a coincidence.
Robinson played 29 minutes in Game 2, which was the most he has played in any postseason game this year. He finished with six points and a game-high nine rebounds. The Knicks were trailing by 10 when Robinson first entered the game in the first quarter and then immediately went on a 10-0 run, so his impact was obvious.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has only rotated eight players in the series. The team does not have a deep bench, but some people feel Robinson should be inserted into the starting lineup for Game 3. Thibodeau did not rule it out and said on Friday night that the Knicks will "always look at everything."
The big issue with Robinson is that he is a horrific free-throw shooter. We have seen some truly mind-blowing misses from him at the line during the playoffs. Robinson has made just 38.5 percent of his free throws in 14 postseason games.
The free-throw shooting makes Robinson a liability, especially late in games. But after a historic collapse in Game 1 and another home loss in Game 2, the Knicks may have no choice but to try something new.
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Nikola Vucevic is coming off another season of strong production for the Chicago Bulls. He put up averages of 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest while shooting 53.0% from the field and 40.2% from the three-point range in 73 games. Vucevic has been mentioned in a lot of trade rumors over the previous few years. According to Jake Fischer (via Bleacher Report, h/t Yahoo Sports), the Bulls could buyout the two-time NBA All-Star. Fischer: "There hasn't been much of a market for Nikola Vucevic all along... I think that this juncture, we're probably more likely to see a Nikola Vucevic buyout mid-season than we are to see a trade." Vucevic was the 16th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of USC. He has also spent time with the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. His career averages are 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest while shooting 49.7% from the field and 34.8% from the three-point range in 972 games. Via @EnjoyBBall: "The last 4 players to average 17+ PPG 10+ RPG with 900+ career games: •Nikola Vučević •Kevin Garnett •Tim Duncan •Shaquille O'Neal" The Bulls finished the 2024-25 season as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 39-43 record. They lost to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament, so they missed the NBA playoffs for the third straight season. Via @TheLeadSM: "Complete list of players to average 18+ PPG and 10+ RPG on 60%+ TS% last season: - Giannis - Jokic - Sabonis - KAT - Nikola Vucevic"
The Tennessee Titans have officially given up on one of their former first-round draft picks. Wide receiver Treylon Burks has been waived by the Titans, the team announced on Monday. The decision to cut Burks comes two days after the 25-year-old suffered a broken collarbone during training camp practice. Burks injured himself while making a fantastic one-handed catch on a deep ball from rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Early reports suggest Burks will be out for several weeks and miss the start of the 2025 season. The Titans drafted Burks with the No. 18 overall pick in 2022. They acquired the selection when they traded A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles, and they had hoped the former Arkansas star would eventually develop into their top wide receiver. Burks, a three-time All-SEC selection, battled injuries throughout his first three NFL seasons. He played in just five games last year and finished with four catches. Ward said last week that he believed Burks was going to be one of Tennessee’s “best targets” this season, so the timing of the injury was unfortunate.
The Boston Bruins have been under pressure to retool after a disappointing season, and now a potential blockbuster move could shake the entire NHL. A major trade proposal has surfaced that could send a star goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that would give them the elite presence they've lacked in net while forcing Boston closer to a rebuild. The deal being floated by multiple outlets would send Edmonton's current starter, Stuart Skinner, along with Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and a 2028 first-round pick to Boston, while the Oilers land a goaltender capable of changing their Cup window overnight. Edmonton's push for a franchise goalie could reshape the Western Conference and challenge the Dallas Stars' path to the Cup If this trade goes through, the Oilers would instantly address one of their biggest weaknesses, setting up a showdown with teams like the Dallas Stars, who already see Edmonton as one of their toughest rivals. Boston, on the other hand, would fully commit to a rebuild, pairing Joonas Korpisalo with Skinner in what could be one of the NHL's weakest tandems, likely boosting their draft lottery odds in one of the most hyped draft classes in recent memory (NHL.com). An insider noted, "They weren't the only ones who had inquired about Swayman, but yes, I was told they poked around." That comment shows just how wide the interest is for this level of goalie talent (Heavy.com). I think this kind of trade would completely shift the balance of power in the West, making Edmonton even more dangerous for teams like Dallas, who could end up facing a vastly upgraded Oilers team in the playoffs. If Boston truly embraces a rebuild, moving their top goaltender could be the first domino in a massive roster overhaul, something that could shake the market for weeks.
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