The Spurs find themselves in a tough spot behind the Knicks 3-1 in the NBA Finals. Is there any true chance San Antonio can do the unthinkable?
"Everybody knows we're going to do it."
Those were the words spoken by San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama when asked if he feels that his team can pull off a 3-1 comeback against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. ... which of course will require a Saturday night victory in South Texas.
Obviously no one would expect the leader of the Spurs to wave the white flag before the series is truly over, but that does not mean his words are the same cookie-cutter motivational junk spouted by every team facing a wide gap.
Rather, Wemby's boldness seems to indicate that he unequivocally believes it can be done. But is this confidence just a severe case of delusion?
It is impossible to answer that question with potentially three games left on the docket. However, there is a case to be made to support his claims outside of simple bravado.
For starters, San Antonio is on the wrong side of a 3-1 deficit but there is a scenario where it is the one holding the commanding grip.
The Spurs have led by double digits in all four games so far this series and to add onto that they have led with under two minutes to play in each contest.
In three of those outings, San Antonio could not finish the job. First by surrendering a 14-point lead in Game 1 and then proceeding to make things worse, with a late turnover in Game 2 and culminating in the ultimate disaster of a blown 29-point second half lead in the worst collapse in NBA Finals history.
To give New York its fair credit, the Knicks have capitalized time and time again on the mistakes made by the Spurs and have been models of the importance experience plays in actually winning a championship.
Nonetheless, the strong play by San Antonio is sure to be one of the main driving factors behind this assuredness heading into an elimination game.
Wembanyama is not the only one feeling like the Spurs are still alive and well.
Stephon Castle remarked, "I feel like we’ve made history all year, and we’ve proven that, with our backs against the wall, we can step up. I don’t really expect this to be any different."
Look no further than the Western Conference Finals for proof that the Spurs can win in the most unlikely of circumstances, as San Antonio stared down a 3-2 deficit to Oklahoma City before ripping off two straight wins against the Thunder, including in Game 7 on the road.
For San Antonio, there is one model for the elusive comeback and that came exactly 10 years ago.
The Cleveland Cavaliers remain the lone team to erase a 3-1 lead in the Finals, with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love rattling off three straight to upend the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
Unfortunately for the Spurs, James is not walking into the locker room, at least not this season. But the team on the other end of the court is not the dynasty Warriors team that notched the best regular season record in the NBA either.
Another point in favor of the Spurs when comparing their journey to that of the Cavs is San Antonio retains home-court advantage if the series is pushed to seven games, whereas Cleveland had to win two games on the road.
While San Antonio needs three wins to cap off the comeback, it all starts with one win to extend the series in Game 5.
"One game at a time, just one game at a time...Nothing is guaranteed, nothing is promised. But we know we at least have got one game, so we need to go 1-0," said Devin Vassell.
That lone promised game gets underway Saturday at 7:30 p.m. from Frost Bank Center for what is hopefully the penultimate game inside the arena.
