The Strickland’s NBA Finals Knicks Roundtable

It’s time to party like it’s 1999. Or maybe 1973?

The Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Before we get to the Finals, reactions to their ECF win over Cleveland?

Shwin: Satisfaction and validation for supporting the major decisions this front office has made, in particular moving on from Thibs after last season because of how they lost in the East finals. They just wouldn't have played with the level of offensive flow against Cleveland that accentuated their personnel without having made the move to appoint Mike Brown.

Sam: Before Game 4 I was stuck between feeling like the game might be close and the Knicks might blow open the game like they did in previous closeout games. Once the game was finished, I was relieved, excited and just in awe at what I had witnessed take place over the 11 straight games the Knicks won to get here.

Shax: Surreal feeling. I’ve never experienced 1999 in any sense, but I’m guessing it was much like this. I knew they would take care of business in game 4, they had Cleveland figured out. The full magnitude of it didn’t hit until the Spurs beat OKC and we saw the matchup. 

Stacy: Sometimes life just doesn’t feel like a cosmic coincidence. The thing many Knicks fans won’t understand is that when I was kid, the Knicks were SUPPOSED to be good. They would make the playoffs every year. But whether it was Mike or Reggie or David Stern (I will not give the Heat any credit) they always came up short. But finally in 1999, in perhaps the most unfortunate of circumstances — as an 8-seed, with their star Patrick Ewing sidelined by injury — the Knicks made the NBA Finals. The highlight was Larry Johnson’s 4-point play against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 that would help propel the Knicks to a victory. Their opponent in the Finals? The San Antonio Spurs, led by a young center who already looked generational (and would go onto cement that). My uncle was a Spurs fan, and in my youthful optimism I tried to convince him a hobbled Johnson alongside Marcus Camby could guard him. Whoops. 

This time, the Knicks have made the finals highlighted by perhaps the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history — highlighted by (pick one of like five) brilliant, seemingly impossible shots from Jalen Brunson. Their opponent in the Finals? The San Antonio Spurs, let by a young center who already looks generational. In my aged pessimism, I still think OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mike Brown can stop him. But this time, I think I might be right. 

The last part I’ll add — I’m a Michigan basketball fan. For most of March Madness, they felt inevitable. Every bad shot was frustrating not because they were playing poorly, but because it was so anomalous. Because 90% of their possessions resulted in a good shot. They never got overpowered, they got transition opportunities seemingly at will, and the one team that was supposed to scare them amid the blowouts — Arizona — got massacred. And a few months later I feel the same way about this Knicks team. 

TL;DR: Deja vu… but the best kind. 

Luca: It’s a surreal feeling for any of your teams to be one of the final two standing, but this one is especially special to me. After growing up through some years of darkness for the franchise and watching them slowly grow into a playoff contender first behind Julius, Thibs, and the Knicks youth and now into a title contender behind Jalen and the backbone of the longest tenured Knicks (Deuce and Mitch), I almost don’t have words for this feeling. Similarly to Shwin I feel validated for defending the Thibs firing and Mike B hire, and I’m truly grateful that the Knicks have a group of guys that are both incredibly fun and talented and also incredibly deserving of this Finals run given what so many of them have gone through professionally and personally. And the fact that they’re on a streak of the most dominant stretch in NBA playoff history just adds to that feeling.

Alex: In a weird way it almost doesn’t feel real because of how much they stomped through the East to get to this point. Like, as a fan, I feel like I should’ve had to go through more cardiac events like in past years to get to this point. I guess they kinda got all of that out in Game 1 of the ECF during that incredible comeback. But it’s been incredibly fun. I stopped doing Locked On Knicks this year, and a lot of people when I tell them that during this run have been like, “Oh man, don’t you wish you were still doing the pod now?” Nah. For years I had to turn my fandom of my favorite team into work. This year I’ve gotten to just enjoy myself. It’s been a blast and I can’t wait to see what these Finals hold.

Game 1 will be the fourth meeting between the Knicks and the Spurs, and the Knicks are 2-1 this year including the NBA Cup Finals win. What from those games matters the most for this matchup?

Shwin: The biggest thing to take from those games is that the Knicks found ways to flip their strategy of having Wemby ghosting Josh Hart against them, and that when they did go 5-out or 4-out around Mitch as the center they created a lot of problems for San Antonio. 

Sam: What matters most from those games is how the Knicks responded to how the Spurs were guarding Hart and what lineups they played during that game. We saw Shamet and Mo Diawara, who was more willing to pull the trigger on threes in that matchup early on compared to Hart. The Knicks were quick to pull the trigger on five-out with Shamet several times in the fourth quarters of the Cavaliers series so we know Brown knows how to counter the ghost coverage and isn’t shy about utilizing it.

Shax: Matchups and coverages, specifically how the Spurs are defending Hart and how the Knicks want to attack it. A lot has changed since March 1, the last time they played San Antonio. They’re more intentional about putting Towns in spots to succeed against that coverage and getting him touches. The numbers aren’t pretty for that matchup, but I’m expecting the attack we got vs. Cleveland. I hope that Hart makes some shots as well. On the coverage side, we saw how the Spurs want to play defense. They’re a very conservative team that relies heavily on their point of attack play.

Luca: What remains the same is the Knicks’ depth and talent advantage. In their previous matchups we’ve seen the wings make the Spurs’ young ball handlers uncomfortable and turnover-prone, and I expect that to continue as the defense has improved both on an individual player basis and as a team. Winning the glass will also remain key, as we saw the Spurs have multiple weak performances on the boards against the Thunder while the Knicks have been the best bounding team in the playoffs through three rounds. 

Victor Wembanyama is a massive mismatch for anyone in the league. Who do you think gets the first call to matchup with The Alien and why?

Sam: I think KAT gets the first go around. If I’m not mistaken, he got the matchup early on in previous matchups. Oklahoma City found a bit more success in their series with the Spurs when they put Isaiah Hartenstein on him, who was much more of a physical defender and in a similar physical stature to KAT. If KAT can be as disciplined as he has been in these playoffs, his physical nature can hopefully wear Wembanyama down a bit. 

Shax: Towns and Robinson, then they can go to Anunoby at certain points in the game. I wouldn’t put it past the Knicks to see some small ball in this series to get the OG matchup without having KAT to defend a guard, say at the end of second quarters. Anunoby’s mobility along with the line of physicality being extended for him, since he’s giving up height, can hopefully slow down Wembanyama.

Stacy: Assuming Mitch’s pinky isn’t an issue (I offer no opinion on this because I have no idea) I think it’s still KAT. OG may be most dangerous at being able to help on Wemby off of Castle and on drives from the Spurs’ dangerous guards rather than one on one on Wemby. The risk is KAT foul trouble… but I think when he is disciplined he can hold his base and force Wemby into jumpers as well as keep him off the glass. In pick-and-roll he will have help — I believe the Knicks will make the Spurs’ guards beat them with pull-up jumpers. KAT just has to stay disciplined. 

Luca: I concur with the rest of the guys that it probably will be KAT to start, but I think we’ll see OG get the nod sooner rather than later. This playoffs Brown has put KAT on the player with the lowest volume of shots attempted per 36 minutes through the first three rounds, so I could definitely see him playing the roamer role off of Vassell while OG’s size and strength muck up the Wemby and the Spurs’ halfcourt offense.

Alex: I also think it will be KAT, but I think they’ll be pretty enthusiastic to get some of the smaller guys on him via switches. Yes, OG, but I’d even throw Hart and Mikal in there as well. Mikal has the pesky long arms, Hart has a strong base, and both of them have great timing for poke-away steals if Wemby isn’t protecting the ball up high at all times.

Who is the Knicks’ X-Factor for this Finals series?

Shwin: OG Anunoby. The flexibility he gives the Knicks defensively in terms of matchups and coverages is a weapon that quite frankly no other team the Spurs have faced thus far possesses, OKC included. On top of that, the Spurs don't have a great matchup for him offensively, especially if Hart is making threes or Brown pivots to Shamet or Deuce to eliminate Wemby ghost coverage as an option for San Antonio.

Sam: Josh Hart. If he can make and take open threes with confidence, it should only be a matter of time before the Spurs start to reconsider their matchups and defensive scheme. If the Knicks can force the Spurs to guard them traditionally, that just opens up the floor for the Knicks offensively where we’ve seen them at their best.

Shax: Since everyone will say Hart and for good reason, I will say Mikal Bridges. He can have a colossal series with his midrange talent, along with turning defense into offense against the collection of guards San Antonio has.

Stacy: I agree with Sam and especially Shax — Mikal seems to love playing against the Spurs. But I’ll go with Mitch. The Knicks have a massive center who would start (and be at worst an above average player) for most teams coming off the bench.They are facing a massive center who just seemingly stamped his place as the best player in the world. How do they deploy Mitch? How much do they get use double big? Even off the bench, can he dominate Kornet? How do they navigate a potential hack-a-Mitch situation? He’s capable of blunting the Wemby minutes and destroying the non-Wemby minutes. That’s enough to swing a series. 

Luca: It feels weird to name Brunson here, but that’s who I’m going with. He’s proven his critics wrong in all but one category — winning a championship. If the Knicks want a chance, The Captain will need to continue his incredible blend of scoring and playmaking as he did against Cleveland, leveraging his scoring threat to create open shots for his teammates or recognizing when the team needs a boost and going into takeover mode. We’ll need him to be at his best to win the title, and I expect nothing less from him. 

Alex: Landry Shamet, that beautiful demon. If things are going rough with Hart (which, remember, they did in Game 1 vs. Cleveland), then Shamet’s going to need to do what he’s done all postseason and step up. I think Mr. Only Missed One Three in the ECF is up for the challenge.

Which Knick has impressed you most so far this postseason?

Shwin: Karl-Anthony Towns. His two-way play has been superlative and where in his past he'd get derailed by stupid fouls, perceived inequity in how he's being officiated by the refs, lack of focus on the details, etc., his concentration and consistency have been peerless. If the Knicks win four more games he'll have completed one of the coolest New York sports arcs I can remember.

Sam: Mikal has impressed me the most just because of not only the turnaround offensively but the consistency and efficiency on that end as well. I also underestimated what he could do to Tyrese Maxey and he proved me wrong and shut me up. 

Shax: KAT. Not that I didn’t know he was capable, but the way he’s played on both ends has been invaluable at the center position. He’s impressed the whole season in the way he’s adapted his game, putting his ego aside in terms of counting stats and making an All-NBA team, even though he should have. This is a No. 1 overall pick being asked to change his game. To go about it the way he did propelled the team and displayed the sacrifice needed to win a championship. Among playoff performers he is second behind Victor Wembanyama in net points.

Stacy: I have to pick one? KAT turned into Jokic with defense. OG turned into Kawhi. Mikal turned into 2004 Rip Hamilton. Hart turned into Draymond with a 3-ball. Landry Shamet turned into prime Klay Thompson. Deuce…was kinda just Deuce, but that’s perfectly fine. 

But I’m going to single out a guy who’s already received plenty of praise for his skill, but not enough for his adaptability. Brunson struggled all year to mesh with KAT and adjust to being off-ball. And who could blame him? He’s getting beat up constantly, denied off-ball and pressed full court while being told to push the ball up quickly and get off the ball. How many players would have figured it out — especially stars who might rightfully believe that if there’s nothing broke with their production, don’t fix it? But when he did… he went from Allen Iverson to some kind of blend between Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry. And it’s been incredible to watch. 

Alex: I gotta also give it to KAT. Somehow in one postseason he’s completely flipped the script from it being groan-inducing when he’s in a rim protection scenario, to me basically begging for that scenario. To say nothing of his ability to just spontaneously turn into an offensive hub and lead the team in assists, or just be a floor spacer. All while not saying a peep about whether he’s the focal point of the offense or not. He’s been the perfect superstar to complement Brunson and this team throughout this whole playoff run.

What has been the most impressive win during this run?

Sam: Cleveland Game 1. Yes, I know this is the easy answer. If you saw my tweets during this game, I had basically accepted defeat, but that was silly of me because Brunson turned in one of the all time playoff performances I have ever seen live to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat (shoutout to Mikal and Shamet, too).

Shax: Tie between Game 1 vs. Cleveland and Game 6 vs. Atlanta. I’m not sure if we will see either of these games again. Game 6 was pure domination, where nothing went sideways. As for Game 1, how often do you get a 44-to-11 run to end a game? I felt like I was watching a boxing match seeing Brunson throw punch after punch at James Harden, it was unreal.

Stacy: Game 1 Cleveland. Jalen Brunson may never get 36 and 19 in a Game 7 like Clyde, but this was as close as you can get. Historical comeback that broke a team’s spirit. It also provided (some) catharsis for the Game Shall Not Be Named from last year — and showed how far the Knicks have come since then. 

Luca: Game 6 against Atlanta. Everyone expected the Hawks to come out with vengeance on their home court and give the Knicks a run for their money, and they were down 50 before the 5 minute mark in the second quarter. What impressed me the most was the fact that no scorer had more than 30 points in a game that was won by 51 and the Knicks scored 140. Just incredible focus from the Knicks’ various vets to understand the situation and execute the gameplan flawlessly. And it started the streak of dominance in closeout games.

Alex: As amazing as Game 1 Cleveland was, I think I have to also go with Game 6 vs. Atlanta. I have never been more gleeful watching a basketball game as that one. After all of the sky is falling takes from going down 2-1 by a combined two points, seeing them absolutely wax the Hawks the last three games was such a nice feeling, and really laid the groundwork for the month-plus long stretch of dominance that we saw leading to the Finals.

Favorite moment from the first three rounds?

Shwin: Euthanizing the Sixers in Game 3. Game 4 was a beatdown and a full on celebration, but the Knicks Old Yeller’d Philly 2 nights prior when they took their best punch and then spent 40 minutes stuffing them in a locker to go up 3-0. Extremely satisfying victory in every which way especially given Embiid's antics. Fuck the Process.

Sam: The Mother’s Day Massacre. I was out with my parents treating my mom for mother’s day and the bludgeoning the Knicks put on the Sixers in their own arena that had been taken over by probably about 60-70% Knicks fans was just such a fun outing. The 3-point barrage the Knicks launched on them led by Deuce McBride while hearing the “Deuuuuuuuce” chants was such an exciting experience and the perfect way to march into their second consecutive Conference Finals appearance.

Shax: The three Brunson made over Harden in Game 1 to cut it to 5 had me over the top hyped. I was in such a zone watching that whole quarter, and had no expectations until that exact moment. 

Stacy: Mitchell Robinson is the one player who’s been with this team for the entire Leon Rose era — and at many times it seemed highly unlikely that would be the case. He came back from injury to give Embiid so many problems in 2024, until Embiid tried to intentionally injure him and eventually Mitch was lost for those playoffs. Perhaps Embiid’s play had nothing to do with Mitch’s injury. But seeing him absolutely posterize Embiid in Game 3 was so gratifying. The opponent, the player, the play, the context, the aesthetics. Chef’s kiss. 

Luca: Running through the Cavs to sweep the ECF and win the Eastern Conference. Specifically, scoring 20 transition points in the first half (the Knicks’ most in any half this season) after the Cavs made it clear in their media availability that they wanted to limit get-out-and-run chances. Like it was in Game 6 in Atlanta, the gameplan was executed to perfection and you could tell after 15 minutes that the Knicks had stomped the Cavs out for good. Dominance on the way to the Finals will always feel surreal, and it felt especially good to do it on the road and send Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs home once more. 

Alex: All of the clutch threes down the stretch of Game 1 vs. Cleveland. I’m not normally much of a screamer when I’m in my own home but I was screaming to the heavens when all of those went in. Especially the Shamet bounce-in three to make it 99-99. Just absolutely bonkers.

Over/under 5.5 games for the series?

Shwin: Knicks in 6, Over

Sam: Knicks in 6, Over. 

Stacy: What they said.

Shax: Knicks in 5, Under

Luca: Knicks in 6 baby.

Alex: Fuck it, under. Knicks in 4 until proven otherwise.