Some Knicks fans wanted to see Tom Thibodeau pull his starters to ensure that New York would play the Pacers in round one instead of the Heat or 76ers, but Gio says the Knicks fighting to win that game on Sunday shows that they believe they can beat whoever they play in the postseason.
“That’s what made me feel better about it. These guys don’t care who they play,” Gio said. “Winning that game in front of that home crown to end the season with 50 wins, it was a statement. It was a message that they don’t care. Wherever the end up, they’re gonna take on all comers. Forget if it’s the Sixers or Heat or Pacers in the first round.”
So, while taking on Joel Embiid or Jimmy Butler in the first round may seem scary to some, Gio says fans shouldn’t be worried after seeing the Knicks aggressively hunt down the second seed in Sunday’s regular season finale.
“Screw it. You want to talk about unkillable?” Gio said. “That’s what they’ve been more than any other team in New York sports right now.”