Paul Reed Hands The Knicks Prime Bulletin Board Material
Paul Reed made a mistake. One of the major rules in sports is never to give your opponent bulletin board material. We all remember Orlando Arcia setting off Bryce Harper with “Atta Boy Harper.” You just don’t do it. well going into round 1, Sixers backup big Paul Reed already broke that Golden Rule. Today, he said that the Sixers wanted to play the Knicks because they are the easier team.
Paul Reed Can’t Say That
First off, what he said is just objectively true. The Knicks are easier than the Celtics. That is nothing against the Knicks, but the Celtics are on another level than anyone this season.
You just don’t say that though. There is no reason to give your opponent any extra motivation heading into a tough series. Especially not when you are a role player.
Some people can get away with it. Jimmy Rollins dissed the Mets back in 2007. But Jimmy was able to back it up. Jimmy is a star. he has the chance to put his money where his mouth is. Reed is going to play 10 minutes a game.
It reminds me of Garret Stubbs, a guy who never saw the field in the playoffs, saying that he would jump in the Diamondbacks Pool. If you aren’t a player with a chance to back up what you say, don’t say anything negative about the other team. Not even in passing.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 10: Paul Reed #44 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2024 in New York City.
People Will Take Any Bulletin Board Material They Can Get
Reed didn’t mean it as a diss, but the Knicks will take it as one. At that level, you take anything you can get for extra motivation.
There was a time Jim Schwartz said something mostly complimentary to DK Metcalf by telling him he is not Megatron yet. That was Schwartz trying to say Metclaf could be on that level though. it didn’t matter. Metcalf took it as a slight and put up 177 yards on the Eagles.
Our own Ricky Bo was the victim of this mistake. He called the Marlins Bottom Feeders during a Phillies Post-Game Show. That became a rallying cry for Miami as they made a push to make the playoffs.
You may think they are pro athletes and don’t need motivation. But they do. Michael Jordan did it all the time. To the point that it became a meme with him two decades later when he talked about taking little slights personally on The Last Dance. And the Knicks will certainly hear about this, and take it personally.
Will it make a difference here? Who knows. But it won’t help, and it is even worse coming from someone who will barely play like Paul Reed.
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5 Numbers That Could Tell The Story Of Sixers Vs Knicks
31-41
It is not just the players competing though, it is also the coaches. And Tom Thibodeau does not have the best history in the playoffs. In his career, he is 31-44 in the playoffs. Compare that to Nick Nurse, who is 25-16, with a Championship.
Nick Nurse has established his style can work in the playoffs. But it has always been a stumbling block for Thibodeau. He has had a ton of regular-season success in his career. And he deserves credit for turning the Knicks into one of the most competitive teams in the league. But the playoff ghost hangs over his head, and will until he leads his team to success in the playoffs.
om Thibodeau
20-3
Sixers fans all know how great of a record the Sixers have when Embiid plays. But the Knicks also dealt with injuries. OG Anunoby was traded to the Knicks mid-season, and missed time with an injury. But when he plays, they are 20-3.
The combo of him and Brunson make the Knicks an elite team. Since OG returned from injury in Mid-March, they are 8-1. So while we talk about the Sixers going into the playoffs hot thanks to getting Embiid back, the Knicks are in the same boat thanks to getting OG back.
