Playoff basketball features hard fouls and tough play, as teams attempt to set the tone early and often. After three games, the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, in the midst of a 2-1 series, have each embraced the physicality aspect of the game.
With each shove, the franchise goes back and forth with every possession. On Monday, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama shoved Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. A former Knicks star took to the airwaves to offer his take on the incident.
Former Knicks SF Carmelo Anthony Challenges Team to Match Spurs Intensity
The Knicks look to place the series almost out of reach. In the last game, Wembanyama flattened Brunson, as the referees said nothing. Anthony, who played seven seasons in New York, was the centerpiece of the team. Now retired and working as a podcast host, he gave his opinion on Wembanyama’s actions on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Carmelo Anthony on Wemby shoving Jalen Brunson:
“That’s what we want. I like the fact that Wemby did that…. What I would’ve liked to see, somebody on our team on the Knicks, jump in there and say something”
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Carmelo Anthony on Wemby shoving Jalen Brunson:
“That’s what we want. I like the fact that Wemby did that…. What I would’ve liked to see, somebody on our team on the Knicks, jump in there and say something.”
Anthony also believes the shove contained a deeper meaning.
“Trying to win a title, trying to win a championship, by any means necessary. I don’t even think that’s about being physical, that’s a mindset.”
In the first two games, the Knicks were punishing the Spurs in the paint and on the board. OG Anunoby dunked on Wembanyama despite surrendering almost a foot in height. Josh Hart attacked the glass with rebounds that proved to be game-changing.
In Game 3, the Spurs, especially Wembanyama, who is not known for strength, attempted to muscle the Knicks around. For example, anything relatively close to him in the paint, the Spurs center attempted to block it with authority.
The aggressiveness marked a departure from the first two games, and the Spurs won the third matchup. In order to hoist the championship trophy, the Spurs need to win three more games. As Anthony mentioned, a feeling of desperation could fall over the team, increasing their overall passion.
The Knicks’ best player (Brunson) and the Spurs’ best (Wembanyama) could not be more different in size and approach. Yet, when San Antonio needed a boost, their team fed off their center. Meanwhile, Brunson attempted to will the team to victory.
With the attention focused on the physicality, what role will the official play? If they continue to let smaller infractions go, what tone does that set? At the same time, with the added referee focus, they could want to call a tighter game, allowing little wiggle room on physicality.
