Remember, the Path to 2008 Wasn't as Smooth as Some Would Like to Remember...

[Jon]

While I'm certainly not thrilled about the fact that we needed 48 minutes to take care of a Amare and Billup-less Knicks, let's also remember that our 2008 path to the Finals is hardly going down in the history books as an example of dominance.  Remember, it took 7 games against the Hawks, 7 against the Cavs (including a 20 point loss), 6 against the Pistons (including a 20 point loss) and 6 more against the Lakers. 

However, with the way some people critique this team for only narrowly winning the first two games and not "flipping on the switch," you'd think that our '08 squad swept it's way to a banner with 20 point wins all the way. 

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't criticize.  We should.  This team has many areas to improve.  But let's also be realistic.  Even great teams don't blow out everyone and even great teams lose to good teams now and again. 

[GreenFaith1819]

So true, Jon...especially that ATL and CLE series.

One win at a time.

Now the pressure is on NY and Spike Lee.

[tenn_smoothie]

the path to 2008 was full of blow-out wins at home by the Celts - the struggles were on the road until the Eastern Finals and the Championship Series. big difference with what is going on right now.

[Roy H.]

We struggled on the road in 2008.  However, that Hawks playoff series was nothing like this one.

In case anybody forgot:

Game 1:  104-81
Game 2:  96-77

[jimmehx]

Definitely the most standout series in 2008 was the Hawks series.

It really looked like they were going to take it at some points.

We know how to overcome challenges. And we will. FAITH!

[ejk3489]

Agreed. I also think people are forgetting how competitive the playoffs really are...every team (for the most part) give it their all. No team is just going to roll over and die, especially not with players like Melo and Amare.

It's been especially true in this years playoffs. (Spurs, Lakers, and the Bulls almost got upset twice)

As long as we keep improving game to game I think we'll be fine. Getting the "new" players (JO, DWest, Green) more familiar in playoff games will be huge going foward too imo.

[barefacedmonk]

We struggled on the road in 2008.  However, that Hawks playoff series was nothing like this one.

In case anybody forgot:

Game 1:  104-81
Game 2:  96-77

Exactly.

[GreenEnvy]

We struggled on the road in 2008.  However, that Hawks playoff series was nothing like this one.

In case anybody forgot:

Game 1:  104-81
Game 2:  96-77

I'm well aware of those games, but there is no doubt these Knicks are a significantly better team than those Hawks.

We are now a playoff-tested team who has won a road game in every series since 2008.

In 2008 we were getting our feet wet. Now we are prepared to win anywhere, anytime.

But I do think this team plays to the competition. With Billups out, we should have got them from the get-go. And we did, but the bench let them back in. Then we watched 'Melo take charge.

We pull out wins by the skin of our teeth, but we are better than this.

[Roy H.]

We struggled on the road in 2008.  However, that Hawks playoff series was nothing like this one.

In case anybody forgot:

Game 1:  104-81
Game 2:  96-77

I'm well aware of those games, but there is no doubt these Knicks are a significantly better team than those Hawks.

I'm not trying to be flip, but are they really?  A Knicks team without Amare and Chauncey is significantly better than that Hawks team?  I don't believe that for a minute.

[GreenFaith1819]

We struggled on the road in 2008.  However, that Hawks playoff series was nothing like this one.

In case anybody forgot:

Game 1:  104-81
Game 2:  96-77

Exactly.

Good points..I see your point of view.

But looking around the league? I'll take these two.

LA is down 1-0 to NOH - with a loss at home.

Spurs are down 1-0 at home to TA and MEM.

OKC-DEN was a close game, as well as CHI-Indy, POR-DAL.

ORL is stuggling vs ATL.

I love our position right now - no matter how we got it.

[mc34]

Do you guys realize how incredible Melo was today? Pretty much every other team in the league loses against a performance like that. I'm seeing flashes of the old Celtics. Rondo is being aggressive, Ray is getting his shots. Just gotta work on rebounding (ugh) and gotta get Baby going again. We're in a good position.

[Roy H.]

Do you guys realize how incredible Melo was today? Pretty much every other team in the league loses against a performance like that.

I'd be interested to see a study on stuff like this.  For instance, the Hawks beat Orlando in Game 1 despite Howard going off for 46 points.  Are the Hawks some sort of incredible team that overcame a phenomenal individual performance, or are amazing individual performances not as tied to winning as they may seem?

[GreenEnvy]

We struggled on the road in 2008.  However, that Hawks playoff series was nothing like this one.

In case anybody forgot:

Game 1:  104-81
Game 2:  96-77

Also, 3 of our wins against Cleveland that year were in single digits. That was a close, early series that was almost smooth sailing after against much stiffer competition.

I'd argue the Knicks (when healthy) are a better team than those Cavs.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

Do you guys realize how incredible Melo was today? Pretty much every other team in the league loses against a performance like that.

I'd be interested to see a study on stuff like this.  For instance, the Hawks beat Orlando in Game 1 despite Howard going off for 46 points.  Are the Hawks some sort of incredible team that overcame a phenomenal individual performance, or are amazing individual performances not as tied to winning as they may seem?

I would say the equivalent is not the Hawks series but the Heat game last year that D-Wade won singlehandedly. That was Carmello this game. The same single player will as Wade (and in a Knicks uniform, the should be in the Hall Bernard King) but we lost that game to Miami and won this game. So take from that what you will. But when faced with a player on his own hitting everything and owning a game, well, last year we lost and this year we won. So I take that as a positive and the appropriate comparison.

[jdz101]

I can't believe were 2-0 up after those performances.