As the San Antonio Spurs prepare to take on the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, how New York will approach Victor Wembanyama remains one of the biggest storylines of the series.
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The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks will have a Finals rematch, with the Spurs looking to win their sixth championship and New York searching for its first since 1973.
Jalen Brunson is proving Becky Hammon wrong, leading the Knicks as they dominate the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Spurs, meanwhile, are led by Victor Wembanyama, perhaps the most game-breaking player since prime Stephen Curry.
The Spurs are favored in the series, although it's impossible to count the red-hot Knicks out. Plus, they have a proven track record of slowing Wemby down. How worried should Spurs fans be?
How Knicks Can Slow Down Wemby, Spurs
Headlined by Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks aren't really known for their defense. However, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges are all excellent defenders. Off the bench, New York can boast Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, and Jeremy Sochan.
While Towns can't beat Wembanyama down low, his unique skill set should present a challenge. If Towns handles the ball on the perimeter and serves as a shooting threat, who will guard him? If Wembanyama is pulled out of the paint, that opens up the lane for the Knicks' drivers. If the Spurs stick Devin Vassell or Julian Champagnie on Towns, he should be able to shoot over them.
On the other end of the ball, the Spurs might have more trouble than expected, as well.
This season, in two games, Wembanyama averaged 28 points and 13 rebounds against the Knicks, although his 3-point efficiency took a hit. Plus, OG Anunoby is the best Wemby defender in the league, according to a poll conducted by EssentiallySports.
Since 2023, Anunoby has held Wemby to the fewest points per 75 possessions, at only 15, on 44 percent true shooting. Both of those marks are the lowest of any qualified player in the NBA.
If the Knicks put Anunoby on Wembanyama, The Alien will still be able to get to his spots. New York can imply hope to slow him down, not stop him, and by putting Anunoby on Wembanyama, it forces the Knicks to go smaller on Stephon Castle and limits their perimeter defense.
While the Spurs are led by Wemby, they have weapons up and down their lineup. There's a reason why San Antonio is favored, even if the Knicks put up a fight.
