Wally Szczerbiak, a MSG network analyst, said Knicks must overcome “fractured trust” and anything less than an annihilation of the pistons would be an accusation in the costumes.
“We are going to learn a lot about the interior of this costumes in this series quickly,” said Szczerbiak in the MSG Network Playoff Prior program. “Because talent is there. They should exploit this Detroit team when you go to the player for the player.
“If they don’t dominate this series, there is something that happens in that costume that is not right.”
The Knicks, sown in third place, are great favorites in the first round against the Pistons No. 6, who are trying to win their first playoff game since 2008.
However, Detroit beat New York in three or four leaders this season, including Friday at Little Caesars Arena.
The Knicks enter the game 1 on Saturday after having lost three of four to finish the regular season, with Jalen Brunson still finding its rhythm and rhythm after an absence of one month injuries.
The Knicks renewed their list last summer when acquiring the cities of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony for an excess of assets, but resulted in just a victory that last season and a lower seed in the east.
“Chemistry is not where last year entered the playoffs. That is something that this team will have to find fast,” said Szczerbiak. “Jalen Brunson is the Captain. He is the head of that wardrobe. He will lead to lead with the example and play at a high level so that all those guys feel comfortable. Because I think there is some fractured confidence in that locker room.
“And get this playoff season, and carry these playoff games at the right beginning will be in Jalen Brunson to establish the tone and everyone else continues.”
Szczerbiak, a former All-Star with the Timberwolves, added that the Knicks will snatch Detroit’s confidence and the trends of harassed ball by dominating game 1 in MSG.
“You are the best team, you are the most skilled team. You have to match physicalness, but you can’t let it get into your head,” said Szczerbiak. “That was when the Pistons won: when they put themselves in their heads with their little potholes, with their small glitters, with their small pranks. Just let your game speak. You have the advantage of Homecect. Establish the tone when strangular to this team in game 1.
“And that physical will disappear.”