NBA Finals Takeaways
Photo by Darren Abate from The Associated Press
The drought is officially over, and, in fitting fashion, it’s over because the New York Knicks never knew when they were dead.
Here’s what we learned from the NBA Finals.
Knicks defeat Spurs 4-1
New York Knicks
Last season, the Knicks made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before falling to the Indiana Pacers.
In that offseason, they fired head coach Tom Thibodeau and hired Mike Brown, a move that many at the time thought was a lateral move.
But all series long, Mike Brown showed how much experience matters in coaching.
He pushed every single button correctly all series long.
Was KAT hot? Give him the rock.
Was Jalen Brunson struggling? Get Jose Alvarado one the floor to bring up the ball, so Jalen can play off ball and get some more open shots.
When the game is late, Jalen’s getting the ball. No matter what.
And that coaching helped the Knicks come back in games time and time again.
They were never out of a game. They just hadn’t found the right combo on the floor yet.
And once they did, they were unstoppable.
San Antonio Spurs
It wasn’t supposed to go like this for San Antonio.
They overcame the tough western conference and took down the defending champions in 7 games.
They were the ones with the young future superstar, and another rookie who seemed to be a massive playoff performer.
But in the end, inexperience reared its head.
The Spurs lost this series in 5 games, but despite that, led for 72% of the series.
And blame goes around the entire group.
Victor Wembanyama had a terrible turnover and crucial foul in Game 2.
De’Aaron Fox had one of the most inexplicable mistakes to end and cost the Spurs in Game 4.
And Mitch Johnson, despite Dylan Harper looking like a budding superstar and Fox not playing well, continuously sat Harper for Fox.
This was a winnable series, and with the talent they have, it’s easy to say they’ll be back soon.
But the dynasty era in the NBA is dead right now.
The Knicks are the 8th different champion in the last 8 seasons.
The Spurs might not get back for a while.
And if not, this one will sting.
Congratulations to the New York Knicks for finally breaking the 53 year drought and becoming champions once more.
