One more day for the Knicks to meet the chance of winning a game that would give them the right to raise a banner to the MSG rafters.
The Knicks and the Spurs will gamble on Monday, play on Tuesday, laugh or cry through Wednesday.
Here’s the latest from the participants involved in tomorrow’s NBA Cup final.
Mike Brown
On Towns’ defensive performance against the Magic:
“A guy that was just constant with verticalities, trying not to foul, just being big at the rim was KAT. KAT was our Defensive Player of the Game. It was well deserved. He’s been playing a lot better on that end of the floor, and he’s got to keep performing at a high level for us defensively in order for us to continue to get wins, especially in environments like today.”
Karl-Anthony Towns
On the Knicks’ bench impact:
“I didn’t know that 90 percent of the points came from our starters. But it was that 10 percent from the bench that really changed the game. When we needed that boost, and [the Magic] were playing well on their run, that was people like Tyler, Mitch, JC, who came in the game and just changed the energy of the game.”
On Mike Brown’s system and the team’s growth:
“With his new offense and defense, we’re all adjusting, and he’s doing his best to make it easy for us to transition and for us to impact the game. I think recently we’ve been playing really good basketball, even though we still could be better, the fact that we’re doing this right now, and we’re still learning, but we’re winning games while learning is a testament to the coaching staff and is a testament to these guys in this locker room that are willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to win.”
On the NBA Cup intensity:
“In a way, it’s a good warm-up to having a playoff atmosphere and a playoff game. Shout-out to the NBA and the NBAPA doing a good job making the NBA Cup as competitive as it needs to be, and I think the fans are appreciating it. Shout-out to them. It’s a playoff atmosphere, and with money on the line and pride on the line, more importantly than anything, I think it’s bringing out the best in the NBA teams, and it’s kind of bringing the fans playoff basketball earlier in the season than ever.”
On the Knicks’ improved defense:
“I think our physicality is extremely better. When you’re able to be physical on the perimeter, you’re able to throw teams off what they do and now your defense is more impactful. You can be in passing lanes and do those kinds of things, protect shots at the rim. So I think our physicality is something that’s driving that, and that’s something we have to do.”
On Towns’ defense:
“I think he’s taken the challenge personally. I think he’s protecting the rim at a great rate. I think the last four or five games, he’s really taken that challenge on. He’s been really keying our defense. You know, not fouling, challenging at the rim.”
Guerschon Yabusele
On his limited role with the Knicks:
“I don’t want to lie to you, it’s very difficult. I’m a competitor first. It’s not a situation I thought (I would be in) coming here.”
On staying ready:
“I try to be ready whenever my name is called. I try to control my impact on the court, no matter how much time I get.”
Mitch Johnson (Spurs Head Coach)
On the Spurs’ internal standards:
“I think our franchise is used to and committed to winning, and that’s not a knock to any other franchises, but some people that have been with our franchise for a very long time have set a foundation and embedded principles that has allowed that to happen over time. I think when we have not been winning as recently, a lot of those principles and ways we operate have not changed or wavered. We just needed to continue to grow with this group. I think all these opportunities are learning opportunities to get better and to grow, and then obviously, when you’re able to win, there is something there that speaks to the confidence.”
Dylan Harper
On Wembanyama’s impact and work ethic:
“It’s crazy. From afar, probably like, ‘Whoa, this is amazing.’ But we see it every day. It’s all the hard work he puts in. He can deal with the injuries, fighting back, everything he’s going through, behind the scenes it’s much cooler and greater than y’all get to see.”
On Wembanyama’s personality and leadership:
“He’s funny. Funny. He’s got that kind of like quiet, funny side to him. He loves his teammates, he’s always in there joking and laughing, but I think he’s doing a great job of being a leader at a young age. He’s leading all of us. He’s handled [the pressure] great, to me. My first impression, just the dedication, how disciplined he is with everything. Whether that is going to sleep, what he is eating, or his everyday routine, that’s probably the biggest thing I take away from it.”
Stephon Castle
On Wembanyama’s relatability:
“Honestly I feel like he’s like pretty much every other 21-year-old. I talk to him, we’ve got regular conversations, we play the game together. I feel like our bond off the court kind of makes us stronger on the court.”
Dwyane Wade
On Victor Wembanyama’s main challenge:
“I think the hardest thing, for someone to have so much talent like Wemby, is trying not to use all his weapons at once. He has so many of them. That’s gonna be the challenge for him. I like everything about his game, there’s nothing I don’t like. It’s just that you don’t want him to use them all at the same time. That’s gonna be his challenge, because he has so much in his tool bag. Sometimes, it’s easier to be good at one thing. He’s good at almost everything. His challenge will be, for that team, to see how they grow, will be dependent on how he is able to understand which weapon of his to utilize at what time.”
Blake Griffin
On Chris Paul’s career arc and fit with the Knicks:
“What’s crazy is you’ve seen him get to Oklahoma City and see him be a leader, a mentor, a guy who is sort of teaching and helping guys learn the game. He did that for us with the Clippers. Houston was sort of a different situation. He went to Phoenix and it was the first time in forever Phoenix really had true success, with Chris Paul at the point guard. Chris Paul left, and so Phoenix fizzled. CP was in San Antonio and sort of did the same thing. So time and time again, he’s proved — that’s been my biggest thing with this whole situation. Time and time again, he’s proved that he’s gone to a team and kind of fit the role that he needed to fit. Played less minutes. Did this, did that. So it’d be great for the Knicks.”
On CP3 potentially retiring as a Knick:
“That’s weird to think of. If he retires a Knick, that’s crazy. They’re a great team.”