Analysis: How does Knicks coach Thibodeau need to adjust to defeat the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Final

The New York Knicks desperately need to win the third game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

New York Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers 109-114 in Game 2. Although both games are held in New York, the Knicks are currently behind the Pacers 0-2. If the Knicks want to win this series, head coach Tom Thibodeau must accept adjustments from the team's inefficient rotation, whether he wants to or not.

When asked if the starting lineup and rotation would be adjusted, Thibodeau replied: "We are always thinking about everything."

To be fair, Thibodeau's frustration makes sense. He just suffered a defeat, which could very well ruin the team's entire season. However, if the Knicks head coach wants the team to return to the playoffs, he must consider making one (or multiple) adjustments.

Tom Thibodeau must release Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson performed very well against the Indiana Pacers, as did the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Boston Celtics. According to the Basketball Reference, in the second game, he contributed 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, and set the team's highest plus-negative value (both positive and negative values ​​are both positive and negative).

Robinson played a playoff-high 29 minutes in Game 2, most of which were replaced by Carl Anthony Towns. Previously, he never played more than 25 minutes in the playoffs. While Knicks fans should appreciate Thibodeau’s cautious attitude towards the vulnerable Robinson, the Knicks need the most dynamic player to play more.

Robinson has already made the opponent's coaches feel extremely uncomfortable. His defense and ability to create second-offensive opportunities have been one of the Knicks’ biggest highlights in this series. With a 0-2 trailing, Thibodeau must step up his attempt at Robinson and promote him to the starting lineup.

Further proves that Robinson should join the starting lineup is that the New York Knicks starter has a net difference rate of -10.62 this season, which is the bottom among the regular season NBA starters. By comparison, the Pacers' starting five Tigers have a goal difference of +19.3.

Objectively speaking, replacing Carl Anthony Towns is the most obvious choice, because Towns had a goal difference of -20 in the second game. But Towns is obviously the cornerstone of the team, and any of Towns' shortcomings must be addressed.

But Josh Hart was only the sixth man on the team last season. Perhaps revitalizing the team by replacing Hart with Robinson into the starting lineup. But they need some players anyway.

Tibodeau should consider bringing Landry Shamet and/or Deron Wright to the field.

But it's not just giving Robinson more playing time. There is also a wider lineup depth issue. Thibodeau sent only eight players in the second game. Instead, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle sent 11 players. Such a lineup depth allows the Pacers to stay alive throughout the game, while New York will inevitably be exhausted.

Cam Payne's performance in Game 2 is still controversial, but removing Payne from the rotation is not a solution. However, it might help to allocate some of his playing time to Deron Wright — and to buy play time alone for Landry Shamet.

Wright proved his influence in his limited time playing for the Knicks late in the regular season. He is tall and fierce in defense, and can contribute about five minutes of playing time.

and then Shamet. Shamet's career three-point shooting percentage is as high as 38.5%, and he can also provide Thibodeau with additional lineup depth. Just like Wright, Shamet can contribute five minutes of playing time.

But letting Wright and/or Shamet play far more than the substitutes they offer. Wright or Shamet may actually bring some much-needed sense of urgency. Who knows what they will do in the end, but at this critical moment, every path is worth exploring.

Stubbornness does not work. The fact that Indiana's tactics and strategies are more advanced is equally not feasible. The only way that might work is to try different ones.

Tibodeau and his teammates have fallen into a well-known dilemma. If they want to win in this series, they need to win in Game 3. Given that the new labor-management agreement has made the chances of winning so slim, it is unforgivable to choose to repeat the failure of two consecutive games. Hopefully Thibodeau is willing to adapt.