The San Antonio Spurs won't be able to back down from any physicality in the NBA Finals, so they plan on leaning into it, and turning the series into a boxing match.
The New York Knicks might be one of the more physical teams in the NBA, but the San Antonio Spurs simply do not care.
On their way to the NBA Finals, they took out the Portland Trail Blazers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. All three teams are known around the league as "physical," with some even going as far as calling them "dirty."
The Knicks, even with their wing core of OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges, and with Mitchell Robinson down low, shouldn't phase the Spurs at all.
However, that doesn't mean that San Antonio will have an easy go of things in the Finals. Jalen Brunson is one of the best playoff risers in the league, and the Spurs will have to stop him.
Before Game 1 tipped off, the Spurs revealed their plan to give the Knicks some of their own medicine.
Spurs Reveal Plan to Push Knicks Around
Brunson is one of the craftiest and shiftiest guards in the league, but in NBA circles, at least, he's a little guy.
Stephon Castle plans to use his body, length, and size to play some bully ball.
"I think what's worked for me is trying to be physical with him," said Castle of Brunson. "You know, he's obviously shorter than me, but he's a very physical guard. He gets to his spots well, uses deception well, and has great footwork. So, trying to be as disciplined as I can, crowd his space, but not give him the angles that he's looking for. At this point, he's seen pretty much every coverage, been guarded all kinds of ways. So, yeah, just trying to impose my will and use my physicality to my advantage."
Of course, Castle doesn't want to send Brunson to the free throw line, but in the regular season, that wasn't really an issue. While defended by Castle, Brunson shot 0-for-4 in the regular season with a turnover. He was also unable to draw a single shooting foul.
Should be a nice chance of pace after guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for seven games!
"They're a good team," agreed Keldon Johnson. "You know, they're here for a reason. They're tough. They're rugged. They're physical. We're just coming in and matching that."
If the Spurs learned anything in their first three rounds, it's that the team that punches first gets to set the tone. Expect them to play hard, force contact, and get off to an old-school start in Game 1.
