‘WE GOING TO THE FINALS!’ 🏆 Stephen A. reveals the Knicks’ message to the East 🗣️ | First Take

Got to give it to you, Stephen A. Wow, what a night by the New York Knicks last night.Even I, even I was impressed with what they were able to accomplish last night.Orange and blue, Scott, but going to the finals?Bro, you still got to go through the next round here.Celtics or Sixers.We going to the finals.

We going to the finals.Don't be a meltdown in between there, I'm sure of it.Good morning, Kendrick Perkins, how are you?

Shay, what's going on, man?The energy up in here today is great, but it's ripe.It's great, but it's right.I will say that.I will say that you're sharing.Yeah, I will say don't shake.

All right, let's go.

We got a lot to talk about.

Here we go.The Knicks blew the doors off the Atlanta Hawks last night in Atlanta, and that's putting it lightly.The Knicks led by as many as 60 points at one point.That's right.60 points.In fact, the Knicks dropped 40 points in the first quarter alone.

The most points in the first in Knicks playoff history.Carl Anthony Towns.He only took one shot, but still somehow ended up with a triple -double.Here was Kat posting, listen.

You know, it's been up and down, ebbs and flows of the season.It's understandable the fans didn't know what version they would see of us, especially after, during the series, you know, we didn't play our best basketball.And for us to make a statement about who we could be when we're playing at, you know, we're clicking on all cylinders.It's great for us to have this kind of tape so that we can look back at it and see when we're playing our best, what are we doing correctly?But like I said, it's about consistency in the playoffs.How many times can we do that in a seven game series?

It's been at least three in the row, it looks like.But after going down 2 -1, the Knicks just blitzed the Hawks in the final three games, as I said, of the series to advance now to the second round.They outscored the Hawks by 96 points in games four through six.They also picked up the intensity on defense, holding the Hawks to under 100 points in each game.Last night was a butt -kicking, if you will.What message did New York send to the East, Stephen A?

We going to the finals.That's the message they sent.We going to the finals.That's what the message sent right there.You see?This is what I've been waiting for right here.

All right, we saw Carl Anthony Towns being utilized.We saw the Knicks over the last three games.What happened?Excuse me, they shoot 45 percent, 55 percent from the field.I'm sorry, averaging over 126 points.That's what we saw.

We know that defensively, as elite as they could be, it's not like it was going to be better than it was with Tom Thibodeau.But what we expected was offensive efficiency to the point where you resembled a juggernaut, something that was unstoppable.They went to the ATL now.I warned everybody yesterday.I said it was a rap.She saw me. I said it was a rap Okay, I went on radio.

I said it was a rap.I caught my peeps and in the ATL get ready for a Funeral because it's gonna be like that with y 'all tonight This is what I say going into the game last night.It was over, but I didn't expect this I didn't expect the New York Knicks to be up by damn near 50 in the first half now I will say this as an aside to the Atlanta Hawks congratulations Congratulations on the night.I did say that to them.I did say that to them before the game.Congratulations on a lot on a nice season.

But I also will say this no disrespect to the coaches staff or whatever.But if I was the owner for the Atlanta Hawks.that coaching staff wouldn't have got out the building without being fired.They wouldn't have got out the business building with it.I don't give a damn who you are.You don't go down 50 in the first half in the first half that I'm sorry.

I mean, that is just that's something to live with right there.I'm just telling you who I am.You might be nice about it.I wouldn't have been nice about it.They would have walked out of that building unemployed.That's how bad it was.

But in the end, the New York Knicks, Mikkel Bridges showed up.Very, very important for us to say that here.We've been on them.the brother showed up.OG Ananobi has been the MVP for the New York Knicks in this series.Carl Anthony Towns obviously was doing his thing.

Jalen Brunson, everybody, okay?And the bottom line is this, the New York Knicks sent a message.We are who the hell y 'all thought we were supposed to be.We know there was a couple of games where we didn't look like that.But we here, baby.We here.

New York Knicks going to the Finals.They going to the Finals.

They going to the Finals.As bad as I want to disagree with you on this Friday morning, let's say I can.They sent a huge message to the rest of the league and to my big dumb ass, too.for picking the Celtics to come out of these.And they said, hey, Big Purse, sit your big ass down and watch this show.Because what I witnessed, not just last night, but over the last three games, I witnessed the New York Knicks find their identity on both ends of the floor.

Now, we talk about their offense.Mike Brown has done a hell of a job of adjusting his offense because now we're seeing a sprinkle of what he learned from Golden State.You know how Draymond Green was that point center, point forward?We're witnessing that from Carl Anthony Towns.In two of these three games, we watched him have a triple -double.Okay, and then you go to the defensive side.

Three straight games of holding the Hawks under 100 points.And when I'm watching them, it's not what they're doing, it's how they're doing it.Responding to the adversity, responding to their coach.And when you think about Cory Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, all I want to see them do is anchor a defense the way that they've been doing, and they've been doing it in great fashion.And so when you think about possibly seeing Boston in the next round, Mike Brown, I got a message for you.If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You need to be watching this series, because if Boston pull this off,in game seven, which is a big, it's a big deal.It's a big deal.I am concerned.We're going to get to that.But the one thing that he should take away from watching this series, if he faced the Boston Celtics, is that the Celtics are getting exposed in the inside by Joel Embiid.

They again, Going into this Hulk series, Steve and A. Shea, my biggest thing was utilize Carl Anthony Towns.They didn't have anybody to match up with him.If you go against the Celtics, if they win game seven, it's going to be the same type of energy.I'm going to say this.

I'm not going to commit it.I'm not going to consider it a crime for anybody to get exposed by Joel and be when that brother is is better than 50%.He's a problem.He's just that great.Okay, but we'll get to him later.Let me get back to the armage and blue skies.

Ladies and gentlemen, with 821 left in the third quarter, the New York Knicks were up.101 to 40.I'm gonna repeat that 101 to 40 I know that's 61 points, which is very very bad.But what makes it worse is that I mean the Atlanta Hawks was having trouble scoring and more cop than most college teams.They couldn't score and it was just a really, really bad experience.I'm sorry that they have to go through that.

I mean to injure season that way to have to live with that for the next six months.That's going to be a very, very painful, painful experience for the ATL.Thank God.They have other distractions because it's a lot that they're going to they need to figure out setting us to do in the ATL because basketball ain't it can't find ludicrous.Can't find Ti.I don't know this APB out for that brother.

I don't know where they at right now.It was just that bad.Okay.I was looking for them last night.Couldn't find them.Couldn't find them.

But in the end, the New York Knicks did what they were supposed to do.to do.And now you're looking at them the way that they are defensively, the way they stepped it up, utilizing their size, but also get OG and a nobody.I can't say enough.This is we talk about McHale Bridges in the five and six first round picks for unprotected two swaps.O .

G.Ananobi was paid $212 million.

And he's worth every penny.

$212 million.And he's worth it.And we ain't complaining.No.We ain't been complaining.O .

G.Karma's favorite player, by the way.O .G.Ananobi, this brother has shown up and is handling their business.The way the New York Knicks look right now, Shay, y 'all can call me whatever.

You can accuse me of engaging in hyperbole.I am not.I watch Boston.Even though Philly worries me, I've watched Orlando, I've watched Cleveland, I've watched Toronto, I've watched Detroit.

There is no reason why the NBA Finals cannot be in Gotham City in June.That's what I'm saying.And look, listen, and James Dolan, we give him a lot of criticism, and a lot of it is deserved.But he called them out, he put the expectation out there.And they responded, and after game two, I believe it was at the Game 2 and Game 3.It was a lot of people that were worrying, that were panicking, and Mike Brown did something for his adjustments and adjusted and put his pride aside.

And the one thing that we both been asking, can he dig deep and can he get the best and challenge those guys defensively and bring that tenacity?Damn it, they're bringing it.

The next - That's you, Josh.Hold on, hold on, Shay.

By the way, Shay, the hairdo, the blazer.Way to go, girl.

Here's the deal.Nephew Josh just texted me.He said, could you please tell Shay and Big Perk and your son?let us not forget, Atlanta lost on purpose at the end of the season to avoid Boston because they wanted the New York Knicks.I forgot about that.Oh wow.

Oh wow.Be careful.

What you wish for.What you wish for.Just to add on here, I'm sorry to pile on Atlanta, but the Knicks could have gone scoreless from 22 -58 on and still won the game.That's how large the lead.They could not have scored another bucket with 22 -58 left.That's pretty crazy.

But now they will await either the 76ers or the Boston Celtics because the Sixers are still alive.The Sixers are still alive.That's what Paul George said after the game last night.The Sixers beat the Celtics to force a Game 7.That'll be on Saturday.Paul George at 23 points himself.

Tyrese Maxey at 30.Joel Embiid added a double -double.Philadelphia wins 106 -93.Here was Embiid after the win.

I mean, I've been playing these guys for so long.I'm tired of losing to them.So we have a chance to accomplish something special.I mean, they're a great team.You look at everything they have.That's a super team.

So we just got to go in there with the mindset we've had for the last two games.

The 76ers were down three games to one in this series.And now they've evened it out.They're going to a game seven.Perk, how impressed are you with the turnaround in Philly?

I'm, very impressed so impressed that I believe that the philadelphia 76s are going to win this series I believe that the philadelphia 76s are going to upset the boston celtics and advance to the semi -finals to play the new york knicks because what i'm seeing right now and I understand joe mazula is stuck in his ways when it comes to his offensive set his offensive system.He's going to continue toto shoot a lot of threes.But it's the defensive side of the basketball that concerns me.One, they have no answer for Tyrese Maxey.He has been doing whatever he wants, has been the ultimate floor general.

And all of a sudden, Joel Embiid comes back.Unexpectedly no one expected that.Okay, he looked horrible in my opinion and still had like 20 plus points in game three But what he did in game four and five and six Well, I mean i'm sitting up here saying to myself what damn and he exposing the weakness of the celtics Nemi Cato has been doing an outstanding job this regular season.Vucevic, we already know what he's capable of bringing, but damn it, they not bringing it.And I got a concern there.And I also got a concern.

Hey, man, we've been giving a lot of praise to Jalen Brown.Oh, that's where I was going.But damn it, you got to step the hell up.What you're doing right now is popular.You have to be powerful.Paul George on Jalen Brown has been having him in a straitjacket.

And when they don't, when the Celsius are not knocking down shots, Stephen A. They go to Jay LeBron for isolation, and he hasn't been able to get it done.And he has to rise to that occasion.He finished, in my opinion, should have finished top five in MVP votes.He was.You got to show it.Because Jason Tatum has done an outstanding job since coming back of somewhat taking a back seat to Jay LeBron and saying, hey, man, I'm not in your way.

Do your thing.Well, the stage is set.You got to dance.You got to dance.

And we came back in game four, not game three.Go ahead, Stephen.

Excuse me.Sorry about this.

The only the only the only issue I have with that soliloquy is that my lawyer, Johnny, text me to say that your spring outfitis looking clean is looking better than mine.Other than that I have no problem with anything that I don't have no problem.I mean she give you that kind of love.Here's the reality of the situation.The Sixers and the way they look last night and the way they've looked over the last two games.

I will say this although I'm extremely confident in my New York Knicks we prep to beat Boston.We ain't, we weren't prepped to face what we're seeing from these Sixers over the last two to three games.The Maxi is shooting better than 50 % for the field averaging over 25 a game.Okay, he Paul George had 23 last night.And by the way, we're sitting there talking about the four -year max deal that he got.Well, guess what?

The Clippers are home.Paul George is still playing and in Philadelphia winning this series.Then we got to take everything back about how suspect the move may have been to give him the four years because Paul George is showing up.up when it counts on both ends of the floor.Jalen Brown was a minus 24 last night.A minus 24.

That can't happen for an MVP candidate.That cannot happen.All right.And oh, by the way, Jason Tatum is saying his leg was just stiff.Let me tell you what my concern is.All joking aside, because as much as I want my Knicks to win, I don't wish that.

I love Jason Tatum.I don't wish that on anybody.I don't want to get injured or whatever.He tore his Achilles in one leg while the calf is the other and sometimes while you're rehabbing all of these months, you may have overcompensated.So you never ever know what that is really about.And so we got to monitor that and how ready Jason Tatum is going to be for this game 7 because I got news for you.

The Sixers team that we're seeing with Maxi with him bead with Paul George, with Vijay Edgecombe, with Kelly Oubre and these brothers, they could go into Boston andwin a game seven.Boston better bring their A -game and Missoula.Listen you won't change.You're going to go down with the ship launching those threes.

It hasn't worked over the last two games.And I'm going to say this to the Celtics and the medical staff and everybody.I'm not going to question them because I'm not a doctor.

Right.

But I also been through a lot of injuries and a lot of surgeries.And I tore my ACL.Okay, and what the doctor told me is is that hey part the only bad news your surgery was great Your recovery was great the only bad news that I have for you is that you got a higher percentage of tearing your other ACL because you overcompensate on that leg and so when you think about what you just said with Tatum a look if he's feeling any type of discomfort He might have to sit out game seven.It's not worth the risk, to be honest with you.I understand you looking at it and you saying, hey, we could possibly make a finals run.Even by the guy that you've invested $300 -plus million in, you have to protect your investment.

I hope he's able to play.We want to see the stars and superstars on the floor, but don't take any discomfort.

Sit your behind down.Last point on that point.piggybacking off of Jason Tatum.Jalen Brown was an MVP candidate this year because of how he performed without Jason Tatum.And what I'm saying is a game seven in Boston, fresh off a year in which y 'all got taken out by the New York Knicks.Remember, Jason Tatum goes down in Game 4 against the Knicks last year.

Boston romped the Knicks in Boston in Game5. And then the Knicks came back and won Game6. Well, here you are, Jalen Brown.Jason Tatum might be hobbled.They might not want to take that risk.It might not be advisable.

Jalen Brown.Can you win a game one game by yourself.Game seven.Can you do that.Because that may very well be asked of him Saturday in Boston.That's what MVP are made of.

And and also it's a quick turnaround to for the Boston Celtics after game seven.They're going to have to play the Knicks likely on Monday.Like it's not like they're going to get three days rest now that they have to go to a game seven.Just talk about one game seven.That's right one game.But I'm saying if the Boston Celtics have played then the Knicks.

It's a very quick turnaround here.You got games every other day.So I heard Perk say perk.You think the 76ers are going to come out of this series.

I do.I do.I hope I'm wrong because you know the the bias in me is to lean with green.But man, what the 76ers are showing me on both ends of the floor because it's not just the Celtics just missing three -point shots.They're making them miss three -point shots.The perimeter defense all across the board for the Philadelphia 76ers have been on point and again, Joel Embiid has exposed the Boston Celtics interior, those big men.

And that's a concern for me.If he comes into that game, because it's going to be an afternoon, it's probably going to be a night game, OK?730 or whatever.If he comes into it, which we just heard that he really has it on his mind to go in there and get it done.And that's concerning to me.And even if the Celtics get past the Philadelphia 76ers, They ain't beating the Knicks.

They're not beating the New York Knicks.

They ain't beating the Knicks.They're not beating the New York Knicks.They ain't beating the Knicks.They're not beating the New York Knicks.Knicks are taking them out again.And oh, by the way, another thing, because we got love for Jay LeBron.

We got love for Jay LeBron, and he was an MVP candidate this year.He was something special.Here's Jalen Brown's career in Game 7.16 .5 points a game on 44 % shooting.That is not going to cut it this Saturday.Jalen Brown is going to have to look like a superstar.

in order for the Boston Celtics to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7.Because let me tell you something, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, Joel Embiid, here's what I'm willing to bet my money on.All of them ain't going to show up.All of them ain't going to fail to show up.Right.Somebody going to show up for them.

Somebody going to show up for Philly.Who's going to show up for Boston?

It need to be Derrick White.OK.Derrick White.I believe in him.I believe in him.But you can't ask him to be the guy.

No, no, no.I'm not saying that.But you know, role players play better at home.And here's another thing why I'm concerned.Let me say this.The thing is, is this, S .

A.Home court advantage used to mean something in Boston.In this postseason, I got concerns.Because they didn't lose two games this series in Boston.

That don't usually happen in the Beams.In the Missoula era, they've been better on the road than they've been at home.So I'm looking at it from that standpoint, and I'm saying, wait a minute now, you the sixes, you got to look at this.And then you bring up Derek White.Derek White ain't even averaging 10 points a game in the series, and he shoot 31%.But guess what?

I think that, listen, I have total faith in him.But this game seven, considering the tightness in the leg of Jason Tatum, considering how we've seen the other pieces, this comes down, this is about Jalen Brown.It is this is about Jalen Brown going reminding us all that y 'all saw from me this season.It was real.It was real.I'm still that dude.

He's got to do it.And even then it might.be enough because Maxi, George, VJ, and Joe LNB, that's four.There's no way that all four of them ain't going to show up.At least two of them going to show up to Saturday night.I'm telling you.

Jaylen Brown going to have to show up.

To your point, too, the 76ers are going to try to win three straight playoff games in Boston.It would be the first time they have ever done that, ever, if they can accomplish that feat in game seven on Saturday.