RE: https://sportsbots.xyz/users/NBA/statuses/2058571222938706024

u can't control how other series play out, however, context is important

if the #Knicks advance to the Finals, since 2000 & 03 when the 1st rd moved to the best of 7 (excluding the 2020 bubble), they'll be the 1st ever 3 seed to have avoided playing the top 2 seeds in their conf

this is why it's noteworthy - here's the other #3 seeds that made @ least the ECF/WCF since 2000 & who they faced

2000
#Knicks played top 2 seeds (Mia, L to Ind)
#Blazers top 2 (Utah, L to Lakers)
2002
#Celtics top 2 (Det, L to Nets)
#Lakers top 2 (SA, Sac) - Champ

2003
#Mavs top 2 (Sac, L to SA)
2004
#Pistons top 2 (Nets, Ind) - Champ (#2 Lakers)
2007
#Spurs (#2 Phx, #4 Utah) – Champ (#2 Cle)
2008
#Spurs top 2 (NO, L to Lakers)
2009
#Magic – top 2 (Bos, Cle) - L to #1 Lakers
2010
#Suns (#7 SA, L to #1 Lakers)
2011
#Mavs (#2 Lakers, #4 OKC) – Champ (#2 Mia)
2013
#Pacers top 2 (NY, L to Mia)
2016
#Thunder top 2 (SA, L to GS)
2019
#Blazers top 2 (Den, L to GS)
2021
#Bucks (#2 Nets, #5 Atl) - Champ (#2 Phx)
2022
#Warriors (#2 Memphis, #4 Dal) - Champ (#2 Bos)
2024
#Wolves (#2 Denver, L to #5 Dal)
2025
#Knicks (#2 Bos, L to #4 Ind)

so if the #Knicks advance to the Finals, it will be their 1st exposure to a top 2 seed & a team that won at least 60 games

you play who's in front of you but don't tell me that doesn't matter slightly in terms of the results up to this point