NBA Finals preview
NACOGDOCHES – Always wanted to do that.
Subscribe now and your contribution will literally go toward the gas that drives me to the 2026 NBA Finals, which are not in Nacogdoches (but should be, someday).
NEW YORK KNICKS
C: Karl-Anthony Towns – not particularly explosive against the Spurs this season but also not particularly destructive to his own chances. And this was before he switched up top to the high post, turning the Knicks into an entirely different feature presentation. Fouled a ton in the regular season games, less so in the Cup, only thing I worry about is KAT's eyes blazing a hole through his warmup video screen in the week off between games. If our man is too excited early, the Knicks could lose a strong shot at those Texas games.
F: OG Anunoby – crushed the Spurs in the Cup with 28 points, nine boards and three dimes, but nine free throw attempts in three outings against the Spurs. That's his average against the rest of the NBA, but if he doubles it against San Antonio the underdogs will find life exceedingly easier. A few of these Knicks simply will not be at the line the same way they used to be, and "used to be" (the Knicks are 25th in securing free throw attempts) was never any good.
F/G: Josh Hart – the key to so many playoff series succeeds in this role because he understands he isn't the key, the door is always open if you play hard and the whole team has a handle at turning the knob. Missed ten shots in 14 attempts and scored 10 points in the Knick win over San Antonio, 10 boards and seven assists. A tasty 11-8-3 line in the Cup win, didn't play in the loss, his aim on Wednesday could keep his personal Spurs streak alive.
G/F: Mikal Bridges – dropped 25 points in the regular season loss to San Antonio and worked well in the home win, less so in the successful Cup endeavor. Also, if the NBA says the Cup stats don't count, Mikal Bridges should sit the Vegas games if the Knicks return to the Cup. This is absolutely the most I've ever written about the NBA Cup, a thing which does not exist.
PG: Jalen Brunson – scored with efficiency and earned free throws, if not Shai-sized (17 in three contests) digits.
One week is a long time to sit at home, think about one's role in things, maybe check in on what people are saying about your role in things. Especially when what they're saying is on ESPN, it's pretty tempting to check in.
Jalen Brunson's dad was not in Jeff Van Gundy's rotation during the 1999 NBA Finals, I know this because I was the only one in America screaming for Rick Brunson to be in Jeff Van Gundy's rotation during the 1999 NBA Finals, so sick was I of Charlie Ward, Charlie Ward's game.
Jalen Brunson was screaming at the time but not for Ward or Chris Childs to be lifted, he was born in August 1996, he was screaming because it hurts when teeth burst through gums for the first time.
