The Knew York Knicks have been on one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history and have now won 13 games in a row, the second-longest playoff streak of all time behind only the 2017 Golden State Warriors, but don't tell the Knicks that. They've now improved to a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals after a thrilling one-point victory in Game 2 of the series and they'r heading back to Madison Square Garden for the first home playoff game for the Knicks in close to decades, but the Knicks are being cautious not to get too overexcited. "It's 0-0 at this point as far as we're con concerned," Josh Hart said after game 2 (via SNY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk1h_qK-S4E]). "Being up 2-0 means really nothing. This team's [Spurs] going to come out on Monday with an unbelievable amount of energy and desperation and we've gotta be better." NEW YORK'S DISCIPLINE This mantra of "0-0" is something that's been echoed by the entire Knicks roster and it says so much about their mentality in this series and the playoffs as a whole and explains why they've been able to achieve so much success. This stoicism in the face of success is a mentality that was started by star Jalen Brunson, who has scarcely cracked a smile since the playoff began despite the dominance he's led his team toward. Brunson's ability to regulate both is emotions and those of his team have been a major aspect of his leadership that's bee praised and now that mentality has clearly affected the rest of the team. They now that arrogance is folly, especially this at this point in the series. A 2-0 lead is definitely an advantage, but it's far from certain that a championship is in their grasp and now is the time for them to guard themselves against any kind of lack of preparation. THE SPURS' EMOTION This stoic approach stands in stark contrast to the Spurs, especially Victor Wembanyama, who have been known to be far more open with their emotions, especially after they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals when Wembanyama burst into tears. As Hart stated, the Spurs will have to come into Game 3 with a ferocious level of energy and desperation in order to keep their season alive and the Knicks need to be prepared for that, especially as they represent their team on their own home court. The Knicks have never lacked focus up to this point and if Hart's reaction is to be believed, they won't be losing it any time soon either.
