The Warm Up
Join your hosts, Jah and Ben, as they dive into all things NBA! With the perfect blend of banter and analysis, this duo will bring you the latest updates, insights, and even debates from the realm of the NBA. Everything from jaw-dropping plays to nail-biting finishes, they cover it all with excitement. Tune in, whether you are a die-hard basketball fan or simply listening for fun. Get ready for a wild ride through the world of sports
The Warm Up
Knicks Take Stunning 2-0 Finals Lead Over Spurs
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The New York Knicks are headed back to Madison Square Garden with a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals after escaping San Antonio with a dramatic 105-104 Game 2 victory. Ben and Jah react live to one of the biggest shockers of the postseason as the Knicks steal another game on the road and put the Spurs in a massive hole.
We break down what went wrong for San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama's struggles down the stretch, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson's impact, key turning points from the fourth quarter, and whether the Spurs have any answers heading into Games 3 and 4 at MSG.
Can the Spurs bounce back, or are the Knicks on the verge of their first championship in decades?
🏀 Live postgame reaction
🏀 Wembanyama's late-game mistakes analyzed
🏀 Brunson & KAT shine again
🏀 What Game 3 means for both teams
🏀 Finals predictions moving forward
Subscribe to The Warm Up for live reactions, NBA Finals coverage, breaking news, and everything happening around the league.
We are alive. Welcome back to the warmth, everybody. Joining me today is Ben. Ben, we reacting to game two of the NBA Finals. How you doing? Doing good. Glad to be here. Thanks for having me, man. Of course, of course. Alright, so we just watched uh game two of the NBA finals. An incredible game. Um for a minute there looked like the Knicks were gonna run away, and the the Spurs prevailed and they cut the game and it was a crazy finish. So we're gonna break it down, get into it, and all that. Um Ben, talk to me about uh talk to me about the flows, the highs, the lows of game two from both sides of the basketball today.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, let's break it down. Um I thought San Antonio started hot, um kind of the way you would expect him to come out in a game two like this. Um they got up in the first quarter, I believe it was 12 at the end of the first quarter. Um, New York looked really stagnant on offense. You were kind of thinking, okay, San Antonio is going to compete there. They're gonna complete their, you know, way of the way they've been playing in the playoffs with game twos, and they're just gonna kind of blow the team out and move on. But then as the game went on, the Knicks, especially in the second quarter, reeled things in. And Brunson, Carl Anthony Towns, especially their bench guys, Shamit, Deuce McBride, Mitchell Robinson, they everybody got involved in the second quarter, and then New York really reeled this thing in. And then in the third quarter, New York built that separation, got that 10-point lead. Yeah, San Antonio has that rally at the end, and then you know, they just coughed the game up. I'm just gonna be honest with you. They really did. They they had they had their chance to do it. Um I thought Wemby's um turnover at the end, that's that's gonna be the story of the game. That's gonna be every that's gonna be all over the media. That's gonna be all that anybody talks about. I thought they got a really good look, too. I mean, that elbow jumper. I mean, Wemby can hit that very consistently, um, just rimmed out, unfortunately. But I mean, if you're new, if you're the New York Knicks, um, you could not feel any better than you feel right now. I mean, not only did you steal a game, you stole both. And now, if I'm being honest with you, the New York Knicks have a chance to sweep this series. I mean, that's just the reality of the situation. So see what happens.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, I mean, for me, the the game started off like typical Spurs fashion in the game two setting. They come out firing, and then, but it was like every time they got the the game to like seven or ten, the Knicks kind of cut it back to three or four, and I was like, that that's interesting because usually when that was happening in the OKC series, it was just an automatic blowout. And I thought you were alert, yeah. And I thought in um yeah, sorry about that. I thought in game sorry, just lost my train, I thought um Yeah, I thought the Spurs um came out and I they came out on fire, and I thought the Knicks weather the storm every time they the Spurs made a run, they were right there. And I thought um Brunson was good early on, he struggled a lot um throughout the rest of the game, but uh yeah, I mean the only thing I can think about right now is Wemby. Um in game two, game four, game six, and game seven of all those uh games against OKC, Wemby came out and he looked like the best player on the planet. The entire first half today, I was like, where's Wemby? Is Wemby gonna wake up? Did he come back to Earth? What's going on? And I'm like, what like what like Wemby has to be the best player at all times? And like down the stretch tonight, I like I like the jump shot over Mitchell Robinson. I don't like that shot in that instance. He had to have his jumper going all game. Try to get some to the rim. The refs, knowing Tony Brothers, and we'll get into that later, they probably would have called something. You know what I mean? And then I I thought the jumper uh the like leading up to that, the step back three over OG and Anobi. I thought that was horrendous that he airballed. I just thought there was a lot of like young mistakes happening for this ball club. And I it like tonight was the first time in this entire playoffs. I was like, oh, the Spurs look young. This is the first time they're doing this. Same with the Knicks, but the Knicks have been in the conference finals the last um two years. So I mean, shout out to the Knicks, they're up 2-0. Um game three is gonna be absolutely insane, incredible. But what were your thoughts on like let's elaborate on Wemby and the others? Like, I thought Fox looked pretty. This is probably one of the best Fox games we've had in a while. Um yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um, yeah, I'll elaborate on Fox. I thought Fox looked really good, especially in the fourth quarter, um, helping them reel the game back in. Um in the pregame um on Inside, Charles was talking about like um having all three guards. You've got Harper, Castle, and Fox, like which one has to give you the best production on offense? And the obvious answer is Fox, due to the fact that Castle and Harper don't have as deep of a bag offensively. They're more defensive, grid and grind. So it's like um they really needed Darren Fox to step up in a big way tonight. Um I think he did that. But when it came to I I thought San Antonio from three tonight was terrible. I mean, um, they obviously hit some time too many threes. Way too many. I mean, that there are moments in the game where I'm literally just like, you know, mouse in the house, when he's got the ball, just give him the ball, you know. And then there were moments like where when we would pass out of situations where I'm like, you need to like, you know, go get this done. I agree with you, young mistakes because it's it's really funny too, because like, you know, this is not the time where you would expect this young Spurs team to show up looking young, you know. Yeah, you thought that would have happened in the first round, second round, round. Yeah, that's usually what happens to these young playoff teams. OKC is your best example a couple years ago against Dallas. Um, I think that's a good example. Or like, you know, these teams that have lacked playoff experience, it usually happens early, not now. Um and you know, when you've got home court in the NBA finals and you lose the first two, you're looking at such an uphill battle now. And it's different too, because you got to go play in Madison Square Garden, you know, like that is a task I would want nobody. That's that's something I wouldn't wish on anybody, you know.
SPEAKER_00I mean, Madison Square Garden and the Knicks haven't lost in 12 games. They haven't lost a home game since game one or two, whatever it was against Atlanta. Like they're they're on a 12-game winning streak. Like, this is an insanely resilient team right now.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and like another thing to add, it's like I was talking about this with a buddy. It's like, you know, I did pick the Knicks like to win the NBA Finals, but when you look at this matchup, right, from a roster perspective, from a numbers perspective, the New York's not the better team. We both know that.
SPEAKER_00I mean, but New York I thought I thought the Knicks were the better team coming in this series.
SPEAKER_01Really? I I think like as far as like how they're playing, I would absolutely agree with you. But as far as like roster construction, I mean, like, I think I think you'd give the edge to San Antonio.
SPEAKER_00That's true.
SPEAKER_01Um, that that's kind of the that's kind of the perspective I'm coming off of. But um I I guess when you when you look at this game and when you look at this series so far, it's like the Knicks are playing like they've won 12 in a row. Like they're playing like they're this hot. So um they really have caught lightning in a bottle. I don't think it's luck either. I mean, some of the some of these possessions, there there was a possession they had where I think they moved the ball around the perimeter seven times and then it ended in a mccalbridge's three-quarters from the corner. Yeah, yeah. I was I was like, it was just pure offense. I was like, that's something I like when you watch the Knicks in the regular season, like you don't see much of that. They're just very locked in right now. So yeah, those are kind of some of the thoughts I have on that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean, I think I think you're totally right. Like the Knicks are kind of like not the team of destiny right now, but they found like lightning in a bottle right now, and they're all playing so together, they're going through it. I I mean, I said in the series preview, I thought Kat was an awful matchup for Wemby. Um, because Wemby in that all like the whole playoffs is playing drop coverage. You can't play drop coverage on Kat. They haven't even tried him on Josh Hart because Josh Hart was kind of unplayable tonight, and then like they didn't try it in game uh uh game one. So like the Knicks really haven't had to adjust to anything, right? Like they haven't tried the OG on Wemby, they haven't had to do that. Kat's been a mate. Let's talk about Carl Anthony Towns for a minute. I mean, Kat absolutely balled out in the first half, and I and he came out flying in the second uh half. And I think if it wasn't for Tony Brothers with those two quick fouls that they had to get pulled, the Knicks probably pull away from this game comfortably, like a little 10, 10, 12, 15 point win because they were humming at that point. Um I Mitch Johnson needs to change up his tactics. I thought he would have learned from Shay or from the OKC series with doubling Shea. They keep doubling Brunson at the top of the key. Um, it's a wide open corner threes for Mikhail Bridges, who was absolutely amazing. Um, Landry Shamit, who I feel like hasn't missed a three in months. And then like, you know, little timely, like Kat, um Deuce McBride, like everybody's contributing. It's like such a team effort. And um OJ Nanobi tonight attacking Wemby, standing dunk on Wemby, like he looks amazing. Um the Knicks look amazing. I don't know. I I was worried after game one because I thought if there was a game that the Knicks would win, would be game two. I thought game one would be like kind of the shock to the system game where uh rest over rust, and then they haven't played nobody. It's the Eastern Conference, it sucks, and they've came out and completely, completely changed the entire dynamic of the series. And if I'm if I'm San Antonio, I'm nervous, I'm sweating. You got you kind of saw San Antonio get emotional tonight. De'Aaron Fox is getting in Brunson's face, uh Castle is starting to get a little more animated. They feel the nerves, and as a young team, this is the first time they're feeling these nerves on the spotlight. So it's just gonna be a trial and error. Let's get into some of these questions we got. Hey, drop a comment below um on the game. Let's talk about it. Uh Dela Cruz, 3014, Spurs taking the next two at the garden and win in five and losing in sixth, then winning in seven.
SPEAKER_01No.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. No. I mean, the the Knicks would have to the Spurs would have to win what four of the next five? Four of the next five.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00I just don't. I I I don't want to say the series is over because it's never over. And we saw just in 2021 with Giannis, they came back, but I don't know. I have a rule. The series doesn't start until an away team wins a game, and now we have two away team wins.
SPEAKER_01So I think even when you look at the Giannis situation, and you also look at uh even D-Wade in 06, right? Like they um were down 2-0 on their road games, right? So these are home games for San Antonio. So what you're asking San Antonio to do is they've got to win three at the Garden and one in San Antonio.
SPEAKER_00And San Antonio sound like a home game too.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, like yeah, like you know, like Godspeed, brother. Like, I I really don't know. Um I again, I it's not over till it's over, but I have a clear favorite. I mean, like clear, clear favorite.
SPEAKER_00I I would be shocked if they're underdogs again in in this.
SPEAKER_01Oh no, no, no, no, no, no. I I think the only way they are is if um San Antonio. Yeah, 3-2 San Antonio, like they're at home, like yeah, I don't know. It's yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00And then uh King Latin 14 says Spurs offense has no identity, sadly. Yeah, and I mean um the Spurs are young, they don't have a lot of offensive engines. What what made them look so great, I think, against OKC is that it was really only Shea is the offensive engine, and he doesn't really he's not a playmaker like that. And like you're not afraid of Alex Caruso, like that's why they he was open for a reason those first you know three games, and Jeremy Cain's cool if he gets on a heater, but like I think you're seeing from the Knicks side, like I don't think a lot of people understand how big the Knicks are. OG Ananobi's 6'9, 6'8, like 250. Mikhail Bridges is insanely long and quick. Like, Kat is taking one beat from outside the paint. Um it's it's incredible to watch. I I think they're just a matchup nightmare for the for the Spurs, and it's showing.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I was talking with another buddy like before this series started. OKC was still playing, and uh he was like, Hey, the Knicks should be like hoping they play San Antonio. I think that's a better matchup. And like, you know, now looking back, I'm like, I definitely agree. Um, just based off the way that I'm seeing things. And like, look, there's another thing that needs to be mentioned too. Um, when we did our Knicks um Outlook video way back, right? Well, the thing we always said about the New York Knicks is they're too top heavy, right? They have a top heavy starting five, no depth on the bench. And I wasn't even asking them to go out and do anything crazy, and they didn't. It's adding the small things, like it's adding a Landry Shaman, it's adding an Alvarado, it's retaining a Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride. It's the little things, dude. Yeah, like it's it's all about the little things, right? Yeah, so those little things make big differences when you're in the NBA finals and you've got like role players that are making the most timely shots of the year. Um, and like that is what's separating, and that is why, like, that is why I've been harping on the Knicks for so long. It's because they did the little things to add that depth. Now, as far as San Antonio is concerned, we've known them to be a very deep team this entire year, this entire playoffs. We often said this was early, premature, like we thought this was a year or two down the road, right? But now that they're here, they're utilizing that depth. That depth has to play well when they're in the game. And we are we're not seeing that. Like Carter Bryant's not being used, cornette is barely playable. Um, the only guy off the bench that you can really trust is Dylan Harper. And the only reason he's not starting is because you've got three guards that can play pretty much anywhere.
SPEAKER_00He might have to start over Castle next game. No, yeah. Yeah. The Spurs came back when Castle was on the bench after he got hurt. Yeah, Castle started.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and then you know, um, when you look at the way they've been handling, because one thing we talked about in the last live was like how they're gonna handle the defense for Jalen Brunson. I mean, like they took him out on those key possessions and they put in more defense. Um, didn't risk the mismatch. Um, yeah, Wemby went mouse in the house a few times, but he passed out of it. There was one possession, one possession he did, it was I think it was Alvarado and no, it was it was Shaman and Brunson like collapsed, and then Wemby was there, and then I mean, of course, they just went mouse in the house and got it to him. But um yeah, I mean, like New York is they've got him. I mean, like they've yeah, they've gone in there, they've shut down Wemby, they've taken him out of the game. We'll get into Wemby later, but I mean, you know, um, just very impressive.
SPEAKER_00I'm a little nervous about like if I'm the Spurs, I'm like really nervous because you lost a game where Josh Hart's minus three wasn't impactful this game. OG Ananobi is a minus nine, um, Jalen Brunson's a minus ten, Mitchell Robinson's a minus ten. Um I mean, if if all if three of the five starters are gonna be all minuses and you're still gonna lose the game, I I just think you're drawn dead. And I think, I mean, coming into the series, I said if Wemby has to be a score in the series, they're they're gonna lose because they they just don't have enough offense around Wemby right now, which is completely fine. Like it's incredible they got here, and I'm not saying it's over, but like they could still come back and win. But Wemby's just not at that level offensively yet where he's comfortable taking a post up. He's comfortable, he's like not a consistent offensive threat, which is fine. So I mean, the Knicks are humming right now. Kat, Kat's been amazing. Um, he was a plus 11 tonight, and he was in foul trouble early, so who knows what that could have been. Um yeah, I don't I don't know what the Spurs could do from here besides I mean let's get into it right now. Besides Wemby, like Wemby needs to come out and say, hey, I'm the best player in the series and in this game. And until he does that, they'll continue to lose games. Because he was absolutely magnificent in the second half. But I thought down the stretch between the turnover to uh castle, the step back three on OG and Anobi, and just settling for jumpers throughout that um run, I thought killed him.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean, um I have a lot to say on Wimby, honestly. I mean, like, I was not impressed um at all. I thought he was very timid. Um, I thought he was, you know, taking a lot of bad jumpers that I did not agree with. I there were just a lot of moments in this game where I'm like, dude, attack the basket, you know, like get a small, get the switch, get a small body, and attack the basket. And that was not happening. Um, and it just didn't seem like that was a part of the game plan either. Um, I thought the only guy that was really impressive tonight was um Darren Fox. Um, other than that, I mean, like, you know, Dylan Harper also had his moments as well, but like just he like you said, like he needs to come into the game. Wemby needs to dominate the way he did in the fourth quarter, all four quarters. Like, there can't be this passive mentality that I'm seeing. It needs to be pure, utter dominance. Like, if you're gonna be the face of the NBA that we all know that you can be, you got to show up in these moments. Don't disappear. And I think like that's a trend we've seen with some superstars early in their career. I think the biggest example is LeBron James. Um, like 07 finals. Um, obviously he carries that team to the finals, but you know, they get swept by San Antonio. And then when he goes to Miami, he disappears against the Mavericks and you know, um, has JJ Berea scoring all over the place. I mean, like, that's not what anybody would expect. And I think this is kind of a similar trend here. And I do think that Wemby Wemby's on that level. Yeah, throughout history, I'm sure you can think of more examples of players disappearing in the finals.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean, I mean, even just before the finals, like, because usually you kind of fail a couple times in the playoffs, and you know, that's where you learn like MJ in the Pistons, like he had to get over that hump and the Jordan rules. Um, like you said, Braun in the Heat and the against the Mavericks and then against the Spurs. Um I mean, you know, time and time again, like the Nuggets were constantly at the knocking at the door, went to the conference finals in the bubble, finally beat the Lakers to win the championship. Like, there's there it takes time to like learn these tendencies, being in these spots, being in these moments. And I mean, fortunately, for if you're a Spurs fan and a s and a Spurs player, like, hey, you feel like you don't need a wait because you have this generational player. And I I tend to agree with that because I feel like if you have a generational player, why wait until he's at his prime or peak? You know what I mean? Go and try to win every year because you just never know with someone that's that tall and his health concerns. But I think I think moving forward, I think the Spurs need to really they might have to cut the rotation down a little bit. I would look in playing the three-guard lineup because I think if you play the three guards Embassel with Wemby at center, you can attack any closeout with any of those players, and you can put Brunson and Kat in a pick and roll, you can and you could keep just attacking their chest. There's no like Brunson sitting on Champagny, there's no Brunson sitting on um Keldon Johnson. Like I think there just needs to be a constant like repetition. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it going into game three because it's desperation mode now. It's time to get desperate. You're down 0-2 and you're going on the road now. And I think I would expect Wemby to have a huge game three, just because now we get two days of rest. You're on the road. MSG is a magical place. Um, I think the two days of rest will be huge for a team like the Spurs, but we'll see.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I I agree. Um, I think this is like, you know, like you said, I wouldn't mind going with the uh three guard lineup. Um, I think that's something that you know is worth trying, especially now you're down 2-0 going on the road.
SPEAKER_00And the guards rebound.
SPEAKER_01It's not like they're yeah, like yeah, they're not they're not useless, they're not undersized. So you might you might you might as well. I mean, honestly. Um that environment, man. I mean, like I don't like I said, I don't wish that on anybody. So, you know, um it's just gonna be this is a tough task for San Antonio. They I think they've I personally think they have dug themselves into a hole they can't get out of. Um, prove me wrong and give me a good NBA finals. I mean, honestly, at this point. Um, but we'll see. I agree with everything you said. I I want to get to the officiating tonight. Um, because I thought I I thought the officiating was a complete mess. And when you look at the names Tony Brothers and Josh Tivin, you think nothing less. Um, I I'm absolutely like this crew sickens me every time I watch the sport. Um, it doesn't matter if it's preseason, regular season, um, or playoffs or finals, they are the worst. Um Tivin and brothers together. I mean, like, there was a moment in the second quarter where it clearly felt like they were trying to take control of the game. Um, there was the moment where between Mitchell Robinson and Wemby, where they give Mitchell the technical, they give him a tech, and then there was the flagrant one on Josh Hart, which I like, yes, it's a trip. You may disagree with me. I think that's a common foul play on, but you know, it's just it's just the little things like that where I'm just like, you know, really annoyed. Um, I thought there were all also like, you know, several calls throughout the game that were um just horrible calls. Um, but I mean, I don't think the officiating had an insane impact on the game tonight, uh, because down the stretch the whistle was clean. But there were moments in the game where I'm just like, what are we, what are we doing? You know? Yeah. Um, and I'm I'm sick of that, honestly. I mean, it it is just it's it's every night almost, but uh with this crew, especially.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, especially in that third quarter. I thought, like, I mean, I I have no dog in this race, but I thought those two quick fouls on cat, cat gets a quick seal on, I think it was Vassell or Harper, and they call a foul, an offensive foul. I'm like, that's just a seal on a into a post entry, and then they called the other one um on cat, and it was just I was like, dude, like oh, they caught it was on cat on Wemby. It was like the put the ball had been already rebounded, and then Tony Brothers last minute beep. And I'm like, yo, like that was the first time it kind of ruined the third quarter for me. I was like, the the the Knicks were on a good run, they killed all the momentum, and I thought, too, in the first quarter, like way too many whistles. That first quarter and first half lasted like an hour and a half. Like that was just it, it was just too much whistles, no flow to the game. I'm with you. I think the refs are absolutely trying to make their mark way too much, and it's it's really ruining um a great product. Because I thought the end of the game was great, but I thought in between the game was pretty shitty, and it just sucks that um you know it's so wishy-washy. And like I feel like basketball is like the only sport where like the whistle changes. You know what I mean? In football, like a pass interference, there's a pass interference, right? But in basketball, it's like the first 45 games in the season, it's like, okay, we're gonna call a lot of fouls, right? And then after all-star break, it's like, oh, we're tightening up the whistle. Like, what does that mean? Like, I just played half over half the season playing like this. Now you're gonna tighten the whistle, and then call it the way it needs to be called, right? Call it how it needs to be called all the time, and then you won't have people like I mean Stefan Castle's grifting has gotten absolutely insane. Um, he's trying to draw a foul every time he hurt himself tonight in doing so. I'm just like, dude, just try to make a shot. And there needs to be some type of offensive foul, flopping penalty because these guys just keep doing the same stupid thing over and over and over. And Castle got hurt tonight because of it. I thought Harper um got hurt. And honestly, too, with the officiating, I thought the um officiating got too physical at some times. I was like, oh, that's clearly a foul on Wembby or clearly a foul on uh Kat. And they just didn't call it. So it's like, I don't know. I I I don't know what the officiating needs to do. I think, like you said, it's per crew tree uh crew chief, and we just don't know which crew chief is good or not, but we do know which ones are bad. So the that's an issue for sure.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Um, I agree with everything you said. Hey, we we got a lot of people in here. Leave some comments, some things we can talk about um as we continue to break down um this series and where we're at right now. Um, let's do like a quick little, you know, we we've already talked a little bit about it, but let's do like a little, you know, um game three preview here, what to expect, what we're gonna see. Um, I I know we we keep going based off the atmosphere. It I think it is going. I was telling my friends this the other day, I think it's gonna be an atmosphere like we have not seen in the 21st century in a basketball game. I think it's gonna be fantastic. I think it's gonna be highly watched by a lot of people. The president's gonna be there. I mean, it's gonna be it's just gonna be super fun. So I think um NBA fans, whether you're watching at home or you're gonna be at the game, I think there's a lot to look forward to there. Um, as far as things are concerned for the Knicks, I do think pedal to the metal is is the best way I can put it, right? You know, um don't give San Antonio an inch because I mean if San Antonio um if San Antonio even steals one game, in my opinion, like if they go back to San Antonio down 3-1, they could easily make it a series because you know you've got two at home, games five and seven.
SPEAKER_00But they have to win game three.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and it has to be game three. No, yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.
SPEAKER_00They ain't making no 3-0 comeback. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It has to be game three. So, but even 3-1, I mean, tonight was the first night I I really just thought the Knicks were just a better team. And you know, I picked the Knicks to win, but like this was the first time I just thought they completely outclassed San Antonio. Um, Mikhail Bridges was so huge tonight. Um, your role players tend to play better at home. I don't know how much better these role players could play at home, but I know that I know what the NBA wants on on Monday. They don't want this to be a 3-0 series. No, no, no, no, no. You know what I mean? I know that they want a long series. So I'm curious to see the back to the officiating, like, who's gonna be the officiating crew, which sucks we have to say that, you know, talking about a game three in the finals, but like that's gonna matter. Um, to your point about the New York Knicks fan base, they are on top of the world right now. You cannot tell them shit. The World Cup's coming, you got a bunch of international people in New York City already. Um, tonight and San Antonio sound like a Knicks home game at some times. Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Anytime Deuce had the ball on his hand, it was like, dude, so I'm like, dude, what the fuck are you doing? I'm like, I'm looking up at the and dude, like uh Ben Stiller's on the sideline, like with his camera. Yeah, you got like Chris Tucker's there. I'm like, dude, San Antonio's never had this many celebs in their stadium.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. And so, like, back to like the Knicks, like, or back to the Spurs, is the moment too bright? Oh, the moment's gonna be insane on Monday. Uh-huh. I mean, if the Knicks win on Monday, the Statue of Liberty is gonna be in the ocean or in the river, whatever it is. Like they're gonna carry it out. They're gonna burn down MSG. It's gonna be absolutely incredible. Um, our guy CP, uh, the franchise from SBC, he's been covering the Knicks series all. Or he's a diehard Knicks fan. He's been doing good stuff over there. I know he'll be at the game. Um, I just looked right now. The cheapest ticket for MSG going into game three is eleven thousand dollars. The cheapest ticket to game four is thirteen thousand dollars. Um I mean, I understand why there's so many Knicks games or Knicks fans at the San Antonio because it's cheaper to do a round trip, buy an NBA playoff ticket in San Antonio, then it is gonna be in bruh, MSG finna be cra like for honestly for MS for New York State and like the NBA sake. I kind of hope the Spurs win just to like calm the crowd a little bit. Because if they win game three, I I don't know what's gonna happen. I I don't know what's gonna happen. It's gonna be insane. It's gonna be like, um what's that? What's that scary movie thing?
SPEAKER_01Imagine if imagine if they sweep them. What's what's gonna occur? I mean, like, dude, dude, I would like I mean this in the most respectful way. I would hate to be an NYPD police officer. Like, genuinely. I mean, like, they they're they're gonna they're gonna tear the city apart.
SPEAKER_00Oh they're insane. They're insane, like, yeah. And they're insane even when the Knicks aren't that good, but now they have a a a reason to fucking and you know, I always thought like, you know, Celtics, Lakers fans, even Dallas fans or some of the best fans on earth. Nope. The Knicks fans are proven who's the number one NBA fan in the world right now.
SPEAKER_01And yeah, when you turn on a game in the garden and you hear that crowd noise every time they score, that's like when you know, like, okay, these fans have dedicated them to their basketball team like to the like to the core. So, I mean, dude, I genuinely cannot wait when that ball tips in game three and we're off to the race. I mean, dude, it's just gonna be it's gonna be so fun. Um, I cannot wait to see it. Um, but I mean, yeah, you're right. They could throw the Statue of Liberty into the you know ocean. Who knows, bro?
SPEAKER_00Who knows what's gonna happen?
SPEAKER_01Like, I'm scared. Yeah, I mean, I'm scared too. I mean, these videos I've been seeing, I mean, like, they got people on light poles, they got people running the streets. I mean, like, if you're wearing an opposing team's jersey, they let during the Atlanta series, they like stripped a dude like off of his jersey. They're nuts, bro.
SPEAKER_00They trampled Wendy last year and J.R. Smith this year. They did like that. They did, they did. They're insane. Um, I mean, back to like the schematic part about it. Like, for the Knicks, if you're the Knicks, you probably just continue to push the pace, like you said. Um, continue to play through cat. I thought him as an offense, I think a lot of people I thought he was tonight the best player on the floor. Um, tonight as an offensive engine between his passing, his shot making, him just picking his spots. I think he's he's finally understood, like, hey, I don't need 25 points to win. Let me just let me just do what I need to do. Um Brunson, he's been super inefficient. His three ball has been pretty off this entire playoffs, but his mid-range has been pretty solid. Um, that that shot he took to tie the game tonight was was pretty big. Um the one time they don't send it. One legged fadeaway was ridiculous. Yeah, you know what I mean. Um for the Spurs side, I I I think the Spurs, like I said, they need to go to that three-guard lineup. And I mean, I just can't stress it enough. It's gonna come down to Victor Wembinyama and if he's the best player from the jump. He can't wait to the second half, he can't wait till the fourth quarter, he can't only do it for three quarters. It needs to be a full 48 minutes where I'm the most complete dominant player. And what's so rare about him? Like, we'll see like a Curry, a Shea, a LeBron, a Luca. They'll play the full 48 minutes in a in a winner-go-home situation. Wemby will never ever play a full 48 minutes like that because he needs to rest. He's set he gets so winded, he's seven foot six or whatever he is. Um yeah, what I can't stress enough. Wemby has to play um the best he could and set the tone, and even then, it's still gonna take Castle, it's still gonna take Fox, Harper, Champagny, um, Luke Cornet. If you could do anything, I don't think that's happening this series. Um what what do you think? What are you looking for to game three on San Antonio side, like offensively or defensively?
SPEAKER_01Um defensively, I think it's I I think they'll be fine defensively. I mean, you only gave up 105 points tonight. Um, nothing nothing crazy there. Um, I think they showed their moments defensively. Offensively, I mean, like it really just comes down to this like the timidness in which Wemby is playing with has to stop. Like, he has to take over this ball game because if he's get if he gets going, so will everyone else, right? So, like, that's really the way that I view this. It's as simple as that. Like, Wemby needs to be the forefront and dominate the game, and then the role players will follow and do the exact same. You know, so I mean, like, it's it's really as simple as that. And I mean, you know, the and the non-wemby minutes, they've got to find a way to somehow get a win in those non-Wemby minutes. That's gonna be very important. So um, I'm hopeful that they'll be able to do that. Um, but yeah, defensively, I think it's fine. Like in the first half, San Antonio really put it together on the defensive side. I mean, especially in the first quarter, attacking the closeouts. Um, the paint was the paint was completely packed, cat hadn't even gotten going yet. And then in the second quarter, there was a period when they took Wemby out, and that's when the Knicks just got rolling. Um, and I think that was it was also in the it was in the non-Brunson minutes, too. It was Kat, like Kat started to get going. Then they put Brunson back in, and then by the time Wemby checked too late, huge today.
SPEAKER_00Oh, they were.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I thought Alvarado, Alvarado just kind of did what he needed to do. Yeah, um, didn't do anything, yeah, didn't do anything too crazy, played his role. Um, and then you know, obviously um Kat and Brunson were huge. That shot Brunson hit at the end of the game. Like I I as a Mavs fan, I'm I'm I'm I literally sat there, I looked at my mom, and I was like, I wonder where he learned that from. I was like, I wonder where he learned that from. So it was, yeah, that was cool to see. But um, yeah, for yeah, for San Antonio, off like just get your guy involved. Like Wemby has got to stop being so passive. I mean, like, you even saw this in the OKC series and the games they lost. The games they lost. Every other game. Yeah. Wemby's just taking like a Wemby's like, I'm good, and like just taking a step back. So, you know, for him, he's got to be at the forefront and he's got to be attacking this thing from the jump. So we'll see what he does.
SPEAKER_00What's up? Um, what's your thoughts on this rebounding phenomenon with the with the Knicks right now? I feel like they've they got like four or five offensive rebounds tonight, all to kick out threes. Um I I love the Spurs guards to rebound. I love Wembu, who's seven foot six. Like, why can't the Spurs get a rebound right now? The Champagny, who's a terrific rebounder, like what is going on? Is it just an effort? Is it just are they tired? Is it that I've played six more games than the Knicks? Like, what is it? I'm so confused on because I I thought because tonight was the first time I ever thought that the the Knicks were more physical uh than the Spurs. They outphysicled the fucking uh Spurs. And I'm like, if the Knicks are gonna win the physicality battle, it's over. You're drawn dead. Because that's what the Spurs thrive on.
SPEAKER_01Um, I think there's a few things in my in my eyes. Um, number one, I do think the I the the I can't talk, the six more games is a big factor. I think there's an exhaustion factor that we're not speaking about with San Antonio. Um, I also think number two, um, New York may not have the size in like height, but they have the size in strength and build. Um G is huge. Um, Mikal Bridges is lanky. Carl Anthony Towns has a big frame. Um, so basically, I mean, like, this is fundamental basketball, but they they they closed out well and they they boxed out Wemby. They had a plan against him. Um most of the loose balls they won, whether that was Mitchell Robinson or Kat, um, that's just it's a physicality thing. I really it's it's heck, you could also call it an effort thing as well. So um that's kind of how I view that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'm no, I agree with that thing you said. Um, it just seems like the Knicks want it more. I think they're really cherishing this moment. They understand that they've been knocking at the door. Who knows when there's been a different champion every eight years, there's been a different finals matchup every eight years. So they don't know the next time they'll be here. Um, if you're the Knicks, you win this series, you're immortalized forever. I mean, New York will forever, you will never have to pay for anything ever, ever again. No, no, no. I mean, everything you you can name it, they'll have. And um yeah, I I just think they're cherishing this moment. They look like the more experienced team. And I mean, what win or lose for the series for the Spurs? I think there's a lot of learning lessons they'll learn that they can learn from this, especially from Wemby's standpoint. Because as great as because I think Wemby's one of those players that like a Steph Curry, like a LeBron James, a Luca, um every great player like before him, he's the one player on the team that could totally just shut down the game and dominate at a level where only a few could say they have. So I I I just think he he does he knows he's good, he knows he has to be good, but he has to be good for 48 minutes. And I think you know, if he's good in the in the first half, who knows? Maybe they're resting in the fourth quarter, they're up 20. Um but now you gotta go on the road. You gotta you gotta you gotta win game three just to start. You gotta take it one game at a time. If you win game three, it's like okay, game four is huge. I'd still lean the Knicks for game four just because I don't see them losing two at home. But no way. Um it's gonna be an insane series. It's still an insane series. Today was a great game. I I thought we were headed towards a blowout there with the Knicks. I thought they found something. It turned out to be a little a little weary, but yeah. Yeah. Um anybody hey, drop a comment here. We got 27 people in here. Um, let us know your thought, your thoughts for game three, uh, Wemby's performance in um game two. Hey, so what was your thoughts on uh that turnover he had?
SPEAKER_01Um, I thought it was I mean, I'm thought it was diabolical. I mean, like this bad, like it's a it's a teaching. Yeah, no, 100%.
SPEAKER_00I think because I see people on Twitter and now saying that's cat that's um Castle's fault. I'm like, rule number one, we play basketball, you have to make eye contact with the player. You know, he wasn't even looking.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, okay, and then also we was De'Aaron Fox on the floor?
SPEAKER_00He was on the floor, and then it is it like a Mitch Johnson?
SPEAKER_01Should they have called a timeout instead of yeah, I was shocked they didn't um call the timeout. I think if you're tied in that situation, I think you go you go and take it. When you're down one or at all, I mean, I I think you got to call the timeout there, unless you got a guy like Steph Curry on your team. But you know, um I I yeah, it's a diabolical mistake by Wemby. I mean, Castle doesn't even turn like at all.
SPEAKER_00He is not even he's not even looking at the game.
SPEAKER_01He's running, he's running down the court. So um, yeah, I that's a diabolical turnover. Bad, bad, bad. Um call it cost them the game. I mean, like Jalen Brunson's fouled and he gets the free throw line and gets the point that puts them ahead and ultimately like puts the game away. So um teaching moment. Um, you know, every superstar or you know, amazing Hall of Fame player that has ever played this game has had a moment like that in a big game. So you you just gotta keep your head up and move on to the next thing. Um, you can't let that define your legacy. He's he's gonna have many finals ahead of him. If if that if that's gonna be the the play that we look back on, then then so be it. But you know, um, I think ultimately, um, again, bad mistake, bad turnover. But you know, you got you got to turn the page if you're Wemby.
SPEAKER_00And like, even for me, like I think I got ahead of myself, you know, in game after because I think there was such a bad taste in everyone's mouth when watching an OKC and how they play, and you know, they have all these draft picks and these young players and they have the best GMs. So it's like when the Spurs beat them, everybody anointed Wemby as like the best player in the world, right? And I and I I do think he's he's probably still the best player in the world, but I think there's learning moments like this where we have to realize he is 22, he's still learning how to do all this, and like you said, it's just a great learning lesson. Um he'll only get better from it, but yeah, he you you just can't turn the ball over in that case, and it looked really bad tonight. I mean, as bad as everyone played, and as bad as Wemby played, they still had a chance to win if that doesn't happen. So I did it's one of those things.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think um for him, and uh and we can talk about the jump shot right after, too. Um, thought it was a great look. Um, because you know, in some of those situations, it can be really hard to get a good look. I thought they got a fantastic look to the best player on the court, and you know, you you come up short um and it happens. So once again, yes, you've been dealt a terrible situation here having to go play two games in the garden, but ultimately you're still in the series. It's not not technically over yet. I mean, you know, uh I think it would be one of the most impressive ring rings ever if they pulled this off, but um, you know, uh not over yet, but the road ahead is very, very difficult. So we'll see what happens. Um final thoughts for going into game three. Who you got? Um, I'm gonna take I'm gonna take the Knicks. Um take the Knicks as well. I'm gonna take the Knicks here. I think you know San Antonio might be able to take game four, and you know, we you go from there, but I I just don't think San Antonio's got enough to overcome what what is coming their way on Monday night. Um it's just gonna be it's just gonna be too much. Um and New York is gonna New York's gonna be dialed. Do I think they could potentially drop it? Sure, but like, you know, I I'm I'm giving I'm giving New York the slight edge.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean if Wemby comes out and is and shuts the crowd up, it's anyone's ball game, right? If he comes out and shuts the entire so it's gonna be up to Wemby just to control the four, like play with force and control the game, play with more intentionality. Um, yeah, I'm gonna go Spurs or not Spurs, Knicks game three, they'll go up three oh. Spurs will win games four and five, Knicks close it out in six at home, and Statue of Liberty is in the ocean.
SPEAKER_01So I fear a premature celebration by the Knicks fans if they go up three-o. I really do.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean it it would be a warranty because nobody's ever came back from 3-0.
SPEAKER_01But it would be the I I hate to be that guy. It would be the most New York Knicks thing ever. If they were the first team in the NBA final, oh my gosh, I don't even know. Yeah, either way, at this point, the city is burning to the ground. Like that's that's how it works to it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I thought it was I thought it kind of was a disservice that um you know with the World Cup games and all that, like the Spurs didn't get a weekend game and the Knicks won't get a um weekend game either. Like if it's yeah, because uh Saturday and Sunday. Yeah, dang. Yeah, so it's rough. But hey, Monday, everybody calling in Monday in New York. That's a three-day weekend. They will win it. Yeah, it's gonna be amazing. Um, yeah, so I got I got Knicks game game three. You got Knicks game three. Same here, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um hey, the apologies, the apologies are flowing in, by the way. I I had two of my guys tonight. Yeah, I had uh I'll you know, I'll go ahead and I'll go ahead and read these live real quick. Uh I won't name the names, but one guy goes, You may not remember this, but at the start of the school year, you were in our apartment and you said the Knicks would win the finals, and I called you crazy. I was absolutely wrong, and you know ball. I will give you flowers, bro. And then another one of my buddies goes, I gotta give props when props are due. You might have done the impossible and somehow called it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean, I oh boy. It was just me and Ashton that called Knicks in six in all our group chat. So yeah, everybody else had the Spurs in four, Spurs in five. Yeah, I just I mean, after watching the film, I just hated the matchup. I just hate it.
SPEAKER_01Our biggest concern was defense. You know, our biggest concern was defense, and they have just absolutely flipped the script on us. So um hats off to them for that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Um, thank you guys for all tuning tuning into the warm up. Yes, sir. Uh, please comment below. Let us know your thoughts on game two as a whole, the series and the finals, um, what to expect in game three. Let us know your thoughts about Wemby, how'd he look tonight, what do you think he needs to do better, and for the Spurs to come back and have a chance in this series. Ben, thank you again for joining me on the warm up. It was a pleasure. Um, and we'll see you guys next time. Peace and stay safe.