Twenty-five years after Tim Duncan’s arrival, a new dynastic era dawns as "The Alien" faces Jalen Brunson’s gritty Knicks in a high-stakes championship rematch for the ages.
New York? That's the biggest stage in sports.
Victor Wembanyama? He's suddenly among the biggest performers in sports - and not just because he's 7-4.
The NBA Finals matchup is set, and this best-of-seven figures to be a clash of pedigrees in so many ways.
The often-have-not New York Knicks are seeking their first title since 1973, and are led by a former Dallas Mavs second-round pick in smallish Jalen Brunson.
The regal San Antonio Spurs were thought by many to be too young to be this good this fast, have a dynastic history and are led by "The Alien'' Wembanyama, a 22-year-old Frenchman who has been considered "the next big thing'' for years, even though this is just his third NBA season.
How seriously is Wemby taking all of this?
"Winning the Larry O'Brien, it's a childhood dream," Wembanyama said. "Having a real shot at it, having a chance, tangible chance at winning it, realizing a dream. ... The day we win it, speaking for myself, it's going to be an amazing day of a realization of a dream. It's hard to put into words.
"It's almost like the meaning of my life."
This is rematch of the 1999 Finals. ... when Tim Duncan was also a 22-year-old. ...
And when the Spurs won the series, just as we bet happens again starting this week.
San Antonio (62-20 this year) vs. New York (53-29) sees the Spurs as the favorites, per the oddsmakers. ... with the "implied odds' being at 69 percent to win it all.
That despite the fact that New York has been dominant in the East playoffs, fueled by a 11-game win streak.
And in Wednesday's Game 1?
New York is a 4.5-point underdog for this one in San Antonio.
How do the Spurs lose this series? Maybe because New York plays stiffling defense. But likely not because of the much-ballyhooed "lack of playoff experience'' on the part of the Spurs.
They put that behind them by beating the defending champions from Oklahoma City with a clutch Game 7 effort last weekend.
Add it all up and Wemby figures to be the big winner here ... of the series MVP and more.
Here's how the schedule plays out ...
- Game 1 in San Antonio: June 3, 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- Game 2 in San Antonio: June 5, 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- Game 3 in New York: June 8, 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- Game 4 in New York: June 10, 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- Game 5 in San Antonio: June 13, 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC (if necessary)
- Game 6 in New York: June 16, 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC (if necessary)
- Game 7 in San Antonio: June 19, 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC (if necessary)
