Getting Ready for Game 6

This morning, the New York Knicks woke up with a chance to close out a second-round series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since May 21, 2000. 

The Knicks would go on to beat Miami that May evening many moons ago.

That was two days before Eminem released The Marshall Mathers LP, which became the fastest-selling rap album ever. (For the kids out there, people used to buy these things called CDs to listen to music). Tiger Woods was in the process of capturing the "Tiger Slam" (becoming the first golfer to hold all four major championships at the same time). Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston had just gotten married. The Nokia 331 became the best-selling phone of its time, and everyone was playing Snake. A few months later, folks in Florida were counting hanging chads before the Supreme Court had to step in and decide whether Al Gore or George W. Bush would be POTUS. 

Mile McBride was born in September 2000, four months after the Pacers eliminated the Knicks in ECF.  

So, yeah, it's been a while, guys. 

Rick Brunson was the third-string point guard on that Knicks team (behind Charlie Ward and Chris Childs). A young Tom Thibodeau was an assistant on that squad under Jeff Van Gundy. 

It's funny how many things seem to come full circle with this club this season. 

To reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time this century, the Knicks must push past the Pacers. 

As we all know, the Knicks' success hinges on a few key factors. Chief among them is the need for Jalen Brunson to continue performing at an incredibly high level, which has been nothing short of superhuman. 

Unfortunately, OG Anunoby has already been ruled out due to his hamstring strain. (The fact that OG continues to get ruled out more than 24 hours prior to each contest is a clear indication he's a ways away from suiting up.) With Julus Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic also sidelined, Brunson is forced to not only put points on the board but also facilitate the offense and set up his teammates. 

Fortunately for New York, JB has proven he's capable of playing his best when the chips are pushed to the middle of the table. In the last four elimination / potential close-out games the Knicks have played (dating back to NY's second-round series vs. Miami last year), Jalen Brunson is averaging a whopping 40.0 points on 53.9% shooting, 7.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 made three-pointers. 

Considering how healthy he looked in Game 5's blowout victory, it will be interesting to see if the Pacers blitz Brunson more often and run double-teams at him more consistently.