Segment 1: Western Conference Finals Observations (starts at 1:00)
- Spurs' special season continues, coming back from a 3-2 deficit against the defending champs
- San Antonio had 7 players in double figures, doing a great job spreading the ball
- OKC players gassed in the 4th quarter, missed two of their key players for Games 6 and 7: guards Jalen Williams (left hammy strain), Ajay Mitchell (left calf/soleus strain...what the heck is a soleus?)
- Questionable game plan and coaching by OKC (burned through timeouts early and used up both challenges by mid 3rd quarter), having SGA go 1-on-3
- Thunder managed just 14 points from their frontcourt starters -- 7 from their starting forwards combined -- did not get the needed production from the bench including Caruso who had a good series
- Spurs moved the ball around, very "Knicks-like" though a bit sloppy handling the ball with a lead
- No love lost between Spurs star center Victor Wemanyama and Chet Holmgren, who was not a factor in Game 7 or the series
Segment 2: Knicks on a Historic Playoff Run (14:06)
- Knicks have won 11 straight playoff wins, all by double digits, won all 3 series on the road
- Have outscored playoff opponents by 19.4 PPG, best point differential in NBA playoff history
- Back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years
- Major changes have worked out: hired Mike Brown the right coach/leader (likely the 7th or 8th choice) to replace Tom Thibodeau after the team made the Eastern Conference Finals last year; sent message to players and fans to raise expectations; and trading for Karl Anthony Towns swapping Julius Randle
- Knick players stepping up big-time compared to regular season including Mikal Bridges, playing their best basketball
- Two teams met 3 times during the season, NYK winning the season series 2-1, including the in-season tournament and a dominant 114-89 win at MSG.
Segment 3: Key Matchups (21:30): Rematch of the In-Season Tournament Final
- Wemby vs. Brunson
- Spurs built completely around Wemby; Knicks bigs KAT and Mitchell Robinson vs. Wemby...critical Knicks don't get in foul trouble early on. Will need both KAT and Robinson to lean on Wemby
- Jalen Brunson vs. Spurs guards...can Brunson get to his spots and score
- Knicks offense vs. Wemby: Knicks go the basket well...need to get Wemby away from the rim to open us the Knicks offense. KAT will play a key role here
- Key question: how effective will Mitchell Robinson be dealing with the broken right pinky
- Are the Knicks a team of destiny?
- Check out Nigel's hilarious Sopranos' analogy
- And Nigel is focused: will not answer any group chat messages while watching the NBA Finals
- Will Knicks come out flat after a 9 day layoff during most of Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 vs. Cleveland?
