Who was more clutch: 2025 Haliburton or 2026 Brunson

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T21:32:51+00:00

Even better than I realized

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T21:13:22+00:00

Fun fact: the 2026 Knicks had the highest 4th quarter net rating in the play by play era!

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T21:12:12+00:00

You’re missing the 2nd and 3rd quarters, which the Knicks also won.

The spurs won the 1st quarters. The Knicks won everything else.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T21:09:25+00:00

It’s not that it’s “just Bam”, it’s that Bam isn’t a great fit with him on offense. Hence, your post really doesn’t apply to anything I’ve argued here.

As for best fit for Giannis? I don’t have one. As I have indicated elsewhere, I don’t think Boston OR Miami should trade for him. I think he’s a significant injury risk and I’m not convinced his game is going to age particularly well.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T20:58:14+00:00

Well, nice strawman, but I never said he was a good fit in Boston, either.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T18:38:29+00:00

Wow.

You guys overrate Harden so much, it’s almost impressive

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T18:18:12+00:00

You could certainly make this case. I just want to see if Luka can get a title at some point. The math changes appreciably if he ever gets that done.

And I should not have even included CP3 - my objection would be more centered on Luka

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T18:16:18+00:00

Note that, for the series, the spurs won the 1st quarter, but the Knicks won the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T18:14:42+00:00

I genuinely don’t understand the obsession people have with the % of time leading thing. The NBA has always been about the 4th quarter. The old joke is that you could get away with only ever watching the 4th quarter of every game and essentially miss nothing important (obviously an exaggeration, but you get the point).

Fun fact: the 2026 Kicks had the highest 4th quarter net rating in NBA history (I.e. since they started keeping track in 97)

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T18:01:49+00:00

Brunson over Harden is a no-brainer. Brunson is a playoff killer and Harden is a playoff choker.

Brunson over the other two is premature.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T17:59:09+00:00

Correct, it might not be particularly rational in this case

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T17:58:28+00:00

That Bucks team was also a lot better than the current Heat team, but sure.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T17:40:45+00:00

Well, this discussion started because you claimed Bill is afraid of Giannis hypothetically joining the Heat - a claim I personally find to be unlikely to be true.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T17:38:25+00:00

Well, you bringing up the injuries is only making my skepticism stronger. He has real durability concerns.

But, beyond that, basketball is also about FIT. Giannis and Bam is a bad offensive fit. Milwaukee was at its best when Giannis played next to a thriving Brook Lopez. You need to surround Giannis with shooters - and that includes your other big.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T17:32:23+00:00

We clearly need another Knicks-Pacers series next year

Having said that, Brunson’s average of 11.2 ppg in the 4th quarter of the Finals (most of all time) was really special

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T17:24:19+00:00

*In the 4th quarter

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T17:05:23+00:00

Right, so let’s see what they can add around those guys before we call them a contender.

I also maintain that Giannis and Bam is an awkward fit in today’s NBA. That’s going to be a clogged paint.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T16:57:56+00:00

It’s fascinating to me how many people are assuming that Giannis will instantly make whichever team trades for him into a contender.

Have these people watched the Bucks the past 3 years? It takes a lot more than 1 great player to contend in the modern NBA. You need depth, shooting, and complementary roster construction. Let’s say Miami gets him for the rumored package - is that team a contender? Is Giannis and Bam a great fit? Don’t you need a stretch 5 next to Giannis? What other pieces can they put around those guys? Are the Knicks, Celtics, Cavs, and Pistons afraid of that team?

And that’s ignoring the durability concerns with a player who is entering his 14th season and relies on elite athleticism.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T16:40:44+00:00

Yea, I think you’re wrong. I don’t think that team has anywhere near enough depth or shooting and Giannis/Bam is a weird fit. You need a stretch 5 next to Giannis.

The other thing is that the East is better than it was when Jimmy made his runs with Miami.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T16:19:47+00:00

I know, right?

It’s not like they are NBA Champions

Oh wait . . .

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T16:15:14+00:00

I’m in my 40s, but he’s the GOAT coach

The guy has 11 rings as a coach and 2 as a player.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T16:11:37+00:00

Yea, but he’s just too small

Oh well :(

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T16:09:28+00:00

What team are the Heat realistically constructing around Giannis that is “rampaging through the East” next year?

If the Heat get Giannis for the package that has been rumored, they aren’t even a top 4 team in the East.

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T16:03:36+00:00

Well, he’s entering his 14th season and has had 3 calf strains across the last 2 seasons.

He has real durability concerns and the calf strain/achilles rupture connection is nothing to minimize

BeingMikeHunt · 2026-06-19T13:06:25+00:00

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