At this level, a basketball series is always a chess game; and it would surprise no one that Victor Wembanyama who famously played chess in New York, is certainly looking at a tough, strategic series to finish this season.
I thought it would great to review what challenges the New York Knicks present, and come up with some creative, chess-like, strategies to help our young Spurs win the Larry O’Brien trophy.
These 2026 NBA Finals promise to be epic
Two very different teams, on two very different trajectories in the past few years if not the past few weeks.
In a chess game, it is often more important to analyse and design a strategy from your opponent’s perspective. Although the Spurs have home court advantage thanks to their 62 win season, as opposed to 53 for the Knicks, these Finals will be played strategically on these two awesome court designs.
The Spurs, after a hard reset via the lottery, have accelerated their return to contention in remarkable fashion, in less than three years after drafting Wembanyama.
The Knicks, on the other end, have patiently rebuilt their roster around Jalen Brunson.
One amusing thing these two teams share: a reluctance to disclose their respective star player’s real height. Is Victor really 7’3 or closer to 7’5? And Jalen? Genuinely 6’2 or more like 6’?
Another common trait: depth. During this postseason, both teams have leaned heavily on their benches. The Knicks have had their five starters scoring in double figures, the Spurs had six players.
The Knicks’ Strengths
Jalen Brunson is a maestro. The ball stays in his hands a lot, but his offense is less self-centered than Doncic’s, he directs rather than dominates. His footwork is unmatched in the League, allowing him to find ways to score over or around players far taller than him, which is nearly everyone. On the defensive end, he has an uncanny ability to draw charges and calls himself the best “below the rim protector” in the game.
The second most important Knicks is OG Anunoby. The 28-year-old Englishman is peaking. Already a champion with the Raptors in 2019, he is averaging nearly 20 points this postseason while shooting 48% from three (mainly on corner threes) on 4.8 attempts per game, all while being arguably the Knicks’ best and most consistent defender, averaging 7 rebounds and 2.6 stocks.
Then there is Karl-Anthony Towns. It seems like coach Mike Brown has unlocked a version of KAT we had never seen before, even in Minnesota. KAT leads the Knicks in rebounds and dishes out almost 6 assists per game, while also recording 2.6 stocks. And he has not abandoned his signature strength: an almost incomprehensible 49% from three on 3.2 attempts per game, cementing his case as the best-shooting 7-footer in the League.
This trio has been flying this postseason: efficient, defensively sound, and relentless. Special mention to Mikal Bridges, who after a rough start has shot 59% from the floor, and Josh Hart, their Swiss Army knife who leaves everything on the court every night.
The Knicks’s bench is not as deep as some other Conference Finalists, but Landry Shamet and Miles McBride can produce big buckets on any given night. Jordan Clarkson and Mitchell Robinson bring energy and spot minutes off the pine.
Expected Match-Ups
Brunson vs. Castle
On paper, this could be the key match-up of the Finals. Castle has shown he could hold the two-time MVP below his scoring average for most of the WCF but Steph has also struggled at times, particularly with turnovers when Fox was out with a high ankle sprain.
Brunson is the best in the business at drawing charges. If Castle is aggressive driving to the rim as he often does, Brunson will be waiting for him. As much as Castle can slow Brunson down, the reverse is equally true: a foul-trouble crisis for Castle would be devastating for San Antonio.
Hart vs. Wembanyama
Many analysts predict Wembanyama will be assigned to Josh Hart, the least threatening offensive weapon in the Knicks starting five, allowing him to roam and wreak havoc defensively. I see more problems with this approach than benefits. Here is what I would do instead. Hart will be smart enough to apply pressure on the boards, he is an above-average offensive rebounder, and therefore he could keep Vic close to the hoop.
We saw against OKC, how Vic’s rebounds declined as he was assigned to doubling on SGA or running to the 3-point line. The Spurs need Wembanyama to own the paint, not just on offense but on the defensive end too, to avoid second chance points.
A Different Approach: My Preferred Match-Ups for the Spurs
Wembanyama on Anunoby
None of San Antonio’s starters can match OG physically, except Vic. If Wembanyama was able to battle Hartenstein and Caruso, he can contain OG, who is dangerous in transition, off the dribble, and from deep. Putting Vic on Hart might free him up to help, but OG would feast on anyone else guarding him. Julian Champagnie or Keldon Johnson are secondary options if needed.
Vassell on Towns
Devin Vassell’s defense on Chet Holmgren was stellar throughout the Western Conference Finals. KAT, much like Chet, spends a lot of time outside the paint. The two 7-footers share another similarity: they can be gotten into their heads, exposed mentally more than physically. Vassell has the discipline and focus to exploit that.
Champagnie on Hart
Julian’s rebounding has been impressive in the second half of the season and has carried into the postseason. Matching him with Hart could neutralize Hart’s offensive rebounding, which is one of his most dangerous and underrated contributions.
Castle on Bridges
Mikal Bridges is currently scorching. No one is better equipped than Castle to slow him down. And when Bridges’s shots aren’t falling, he can become a net negative for his team. Castle can put him in that box.
Fox on Brunson
That leaves DeAaron Fox on Brunson. Fox is San Antonio’s most experienced starter and has faced Brunson 17 times in his career.
In those 17 head-to-heads:
Brunson: 20.1 pts, 2.6 reb, 5.0 ast, 0.9 stl, 0.2 blk
Fox: 21.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 7.0 ast, 1.4 stl, 0.6 blk
Brunson will always be hard to stop. My strategy is to disrupt all the other Knicks starters and let Fox handle Brunson. These are the NBA Finals. Fox will rise to the occasion. He is about to become a max-contract player, while Brunson famously took a pay cut to give the Knicks front office room to build around him. This series is Fox’s moment as a Spurs.
Prediction
Spurs in 7
Victor Wembanyama will once again lead his team in points, rebounds, and blocks and will win the Finals MVP Trophy.
