KFTV Roundtable: Knicks vs. Cavs ECF

Omar: 9. This isn't a slight against the Cavs at all; they have a potentially very high ceiling with Harden and Mitchell. But the fact that they are coming off two seven-game series feels favorable. On top of that, this Knicks team just feels different from it has in decades. They are operating at such a high level that I would feel highly confident against just about anybody.

Geoffrey: 8. I would've preferred to play the Pistons, but the Knicks are the superior team on both sides of the ball. The Cavs will definitely test the Knicks on offense, but over a seven-game series, with limited rest for the Cavs, I expect the Orange and Blue to prevail.

Alex: I am at an 8. I feel very confident the Knicks can defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two main reasons are based on how the Knicks have dialed their defensive intensity up, and their offense has been extremely fluid with utilizing KAT as the hub.

Joseph: I'm feeling a solid 9. This is a Cavs team that's coming off not even 48 hours of rest compared to the Knicks’ 9+ days. Mike Brown has had time to carefully strategize against Cleveland, a team they went 2-1 against this season. Overall, this shouldn't be a stress factor for New York.

Remi: I'm at a solid 8. Combine the extra rest with home court advantage, and I think New York has more than enough reason to be confident. But Mitchell and Harden could make things tough on any team, which is why I'm not at a 10.

Jalen: A calm 8. The Knicks have, on paper, the defensive solutions to the problems Cleveland can cause. As long as they stick to the principles they’ve shown this postseason, they should win a hard-fought series.

Omar: OG Anunoby. The recovery from his hamstring injury will be huge, and if he is close to 100%, he greatly increases the potential of this Knicks team. His defensive versatility will be huge in switching onto Harden, Mitchell, and Mobley. I think the Knicks can beat the Cavs without OG, but with him it feels much more likely.

Geoffrey: OG. I want to say Mitch, especially since both of Cleveland’s bigs are playing so well, but it's Anunoby. If he continues to shoot and defend like this, there's only one team in the league that can compete with us.

Alex: The biggest X factor for New York is OG Anunoby. Before he went down with a hamstring injury, he was firing on all cylinders on both sides of the court. OG’s averages are 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks with a .619/.538/.811 shooting split. He is the X-factor because I am unsure what his production will look like after missing some time. As I mentioned on KFTV last night, he will have to check himself to see if he is still in the same shooting groove. If not, then he will have to let Mikal (or anyone else) be that third option.

Joseph: Biggest X factor is OG Anunoby. During this time of rest, OG was able to deal with that hamstring injury and is slated to be ready for Game 1. But this isn't if he can replicate his success in the first and second rounds in one game, but instead an entire series. If he's able to play both ends of the court, he’ll be the biggest reason the city of New York will go into a blaze.

Remi: Can I cheat and pick two names? Jalen Brunson has already been brilliant, and I think the Cavs have the toughest time matching him defensively. But Mikal Bridges’ defense on Donovan Mitchell could be just as important, if not even more.

Jalen: Mikal Bridges to me is the Knicks’ dagger. When he plays aggressively and when his shooting is efficient, it’s pretty much game over for the other team. He’s been incredible on both ends since the middle of the Hawks series. If that continues against Donovan Mitchell, that will swing the series.

Omar: Has to be Donovan Mitchell. He has the raw scoring ability to win games on his own and has had point explosions this postseason. Mikal Bridges has had great defensive games this postseason against Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Tyrese Maxey. I would imagine he is deployed a lot on Mitchell this series. If the Knicks are able to force a few bad shooting nights, that could shift the whole series.

Geoffrey: Believe it or not, I'm gonna go with James Harden on this one. Spida has been up and down, especially with his shooting, but Harden, as a distributor, has been really dangerous for the Cavs. When he gets in the paint and sets up Mobley or Allen at the dunker’s spot, they're tough to beat.

Alex: The main Cavs player the Knicks need to shut down is James Harden. Cleveland is utilizing him as the main point guard, so if the Knicks can prevent him from successfully operating the pick-and-roll, they will have to force Donovan and others to play a lot more isolation basketball.

Joseph: If the answer isn't Donovan Mitchell, then I don’t know who else it would be. Mitchell has been electric this postseason, and it's for the same reason the Knicks are fighting as hard as they have been: a spot in the NBA Finals. Mitchell poses a threat to New York given his scoring and playmaking. Slow him down, and Cleveland struggles alongside.

Remi: I gave it away with my last answer. Donovan Mitchell is the Cavs’ most dangerous player and the toughest one to limit. The rest of the team has looked hot and cold for most of the playoffs, with maybe Sam Merrill as a somewhat surprising exception.

Jalen: James Harden. I think the Knicks can sustain a Donovan Mitchell scoring avalanche, but Harden is so valuable for them with his passing and his ability to draw fouls. If he’s quiet, the Knicks can win with comfort.

Omar: Trapping the Cavs ball handlers. At times in the series against Detroit, the Pistons deployed some effective traps against Harden and were able to force some turnovers. The Knicks should see that and be ready to use Josh Hart as a disruptor in the backcourt. Forcing Harden and Mitchell to make mistakes could be huge momentum shifters in this series.

Geoffrey: On defense, I want the Knicks to switch as much as possible. Of course, you have to rotate your coverages, but putting two to the ball or playing drop just gives the Cavs opportunities to swing the ball into space, get into the paint, and kick out to shooters. I'd rather the Cavs run us through pick-and-rolls to try and get the matchup they want. At least that will slow down their rhythm.

Alex: I want Mike Brown to be judicious with the double-big lineup. He should not have to rely on it a lot just because Cleveland has two towering giants on the court.  This postseason, the Knicks are currently second in fastbreak scoring, while the Cavs are dead last. So New York should utilize their speed to force Cleveland to try and keep up.

Joseph: Pacing and whether or not it'll be fast or slow. The Knicks controlled their last six playoff games due to controlling the pace. If New York can continue their dominance through their nature of basketball, that's a winning recipe for success.

Remi: More minutes for Mitch. I know it's been a couple of years, but the Cavs’ bigs probably still have nightmares about what Mitchell Robinson did to them in the playoffs last time they faced the Knicks. He's one of the only players big and strong enough to neutralize Jarrett Allen, and pairing him with KAT can address Cleveland’s double-bigs with Mobley.

Jalen: Continued ball movement and cutting. Don’t let Jalen Brunson and the Knicks fall back into iso ball and standing still. Getting rid of those habits is a big reason why these last two series felt so easy.

Omar: Knicks in 6. But also wouldn't be surprised if it was 5. The Knicks feel like they've unlocked something special that feels incredibly real. There are concerns about the rustiness with the extended time off, but this team feels incredibly locked in and ready to get back to the Finals. As for ECF MVP, I'm going with KAT. He has become the centerpiece of the half-court offense, and I expect to see more of that with some magnificent performances against this Cavs defense.

Geoffrey: Knicks in 6. Jalen Brunson ECF MVP.

Alex: Knicks win in 5 games. Eastern Conference MVP is Jalen Brunson (you know he wants to come out and make a statement against Donovan Mitchell).

Joseph: Knicks are heading back to the ECF for the first time since 99’, they're going to do it in 5 games, and the King of New York himself, Jalen Brunson, will be the ECF MVP.

Remi: Knicks in 6, with Brunson holding the MVP trophy at the end. I don't think the Cavs can keep it up for another prolonged series.

Jalen: Knicks in 6. Jalen Brunson finally gets an MVP trophy.

Omar: Thunder in 7. I know a lot of people think that having postseason experience doesn't matter anymore, but I am not one of those people. I think at times in the Minnesota series, San Antonio showed their inexperience with handling physicality, inconsistent shooting, coaching decisions, etc. I fully expect the Thunder to take advantage of that with their experience and depth. Boring answer, but I'll say SGA is the conference finals MVP, he's just operating at the peak of his powers right now.

Geoffrey: Thunder in 6. SGA WCF MVP.

Alex: Give me the San Antonio Spurs as the victors in the Western Conference—we are getting a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals! They’ve had the Thunder’s number this entire season. They will win in seven games and book Victor Wembanyama as Western Conference MVP.

Joseph: Give me a rematch of the 99’ Finals with the Spurs, they're going to go seven games, and none other than Victor Wembanyama.

Remi: I'll pick the Spurs in 6 with Wemby as their MVP again. San Antonio seemed to have OKC’s number all season. If the Thunder do win, the MVP will probably be Tony Brothers or Scott Foster.

Jalen: Spurs in 7. Wemby earns the MVP to make for a classic David vs. Goliath matchup of stars in the Finals.

KFTV Omar makes the case for the new Knicks Golden Age.