Colin Cowherd & Jason Timpf’s NBA Finals Picks & Predictions

Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight joined me to break down what has become one of the most fascinating NBA Finals matchups we’ve seen in years: Knicks vs. Spurs.

Coming into the playoffs, I didn’t think there was a great team in the league. Now we’re down to two teams that I think are very good, but for very different reasons.

The result? A series that feels as close to a coin flip as we’ve seen all postseason.

Cowherd: The Knicks Are Better Than I Gave Them Credit For

I’ll admit it: I probably underestimated New York.

Knicks fans think I hate the team. I don’t. But it should be noted that two weeks before the playoffs, there were reports coming out of New York that chemistry wasn’t great and Mike Brown might get fired.

So forgive me if I wasn’t embracing them as the Shaq-Kobe Lakers.

But they’ve made tweaks. They’ve gotten better. And when I look at them now, I don’t see a good team anymore. I see a very good team.

What stands out is they’ve got a little bit of everything.

They’ve got a defensive center. They’ve got a highly skilled offensive center who can shoot, pass, and function as a hub. They’ve got a scoring, closing guard in Jalen Brunson. They’ve got Josh Hart, who’s a rebounding and defensive guy. They’ve got three-and-D wings. They’ve got big physical players like OG Anunoby.

They’ve got two of everything.

Even their younger players feel older.

They’re Villanova guys. People always say Villanova players come into the league with the IQ of a 34-year-old veteran. They’re mature players.

When I look at the maturity, the confidence, and the versatility, I look at New York and think: that’s a very good basketball team.

Timpf: This Matchup Is Completely Different Than OKC

I think this is where people are underselling the Knicks.

This series is fundamentally different from the matchup San Antonio just played against Oklahoma City.

Part of the reason Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled at times is because San Antonio had a bunch of 6’6 and 6’7 defenders who could put their hands on him and keep him from getting to the rim. It played directly into some of Shai’s weaknesses.

Brunson is different.

He’s smaller, quicker, and he moves around those big Spurs guards much more easily. He gets to his spots in a completely different way.

The other thing is all of those perimeter size advantages San Antonio had against OKC start to disappear.

Dylan Harper and Steph Castle were towering over Oklahoma City’s guards. That’s not going to happen against OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart.

The Knicks have bigger, stronger perimeter defenders than OKC did.

That’s one reason I think this series is much closer than people realize.

The Physicality Factor

One thing Colin brought up that I completely agree with is the physical nature of this matchup.

If I’m New York, I’m walking into Game 1 with a simple message:

Set the tone.

Bump people.

Push people.

Make this a physical series.

The Knicks are older. They’re stronger. They’re thicker physically than San Antonio.

And in the NBA Finals, referees generally aren’t interested in calling every little bump and grab.

That style benefits New York.

Cowherd put it well when he said this could become a test of how San Antonio responds to facing veterans who are going to make every possession uncomfortable.

Can KAT Actually Be the Answer for Wemby?

One of the more interesting tactical questions in the series is who guards Victor Wembanyama.

A lot of people immediately point to OG Anunoby, but I actually think Karl-Anthony Towns makes some sense.

You don’t have to beat Wembanyama vertically.

You have to beat him to spots.

You have to get underneath him, get physical, push him away from the basket, and force him into jump shots.

As long as Towns can stay out of foul trouble, he’s actually the type of player who can make Wemby work.

That’s not saying he’ll stop him. Nobody is stopping him.

But there’s a difference between making Wembanyama comfortable and making him earn everything.

Brunson’s Impact Can’t Be Ignored

The best player in this series is Wemby.

I don’t think that’s debatable.

But there are going to be nights when Jalen Brunson looks like the best player on the floor.

Brunson has been sneaky awesome all year.

There was a stretch after the In-Season Tournament where I was legitimately asking myself whether Brunson was a top five player in basketball.

What I also like is that he cut way back on the foul-grifting this season.

His foul rate fell off a cliff compared to last year, and I actually think that’s made him a better playoff player.

He’s not dependent on whistles.

He’s just making basketball plays.

And that’s why I could absolutely see games in this series where Brunson goes for 35+ points and everybody leaves talking about him instead of Wemby.

Cowherd: The Spurs Have the Best Player, But the Knicks Have the Veterans

Historically, having the best player matters.

The best player in this series is Wembanyama.

But New York has a lot of things going for it.

They’re older. They’re more physical. They’ve been through more playoff battles.

And they have a roster that feels incredibly synchronized.

I’ve said all year that the Knicks were good. Maybe that was my mistake.

Maybe they’re better than that.

Maybe they’re the best team this season.

When you really look at the roster, the depth, the defensive versatility, and the intelligence they play with, it’s hard not to be impressed.

Final Thoughts: This Feels Like a Seven Game Series

Neither of us sees a quick series. In fact, I’d be shocked if it ended quickly.

The Spurs have home court, the best player, and a level of poise that’s remarkable for a team this young.

The Knicks have physicality, experience, depth, and a roster that seems to have an answer for almost everything.

That’s why this feels like the definition of a coin flip.

Jason is going with the Knicks to win in six.

I also find myself leaning toward New York.

But neither of us would be surprised if we’re wrong.

That’s what makes this such a great Finals matchup.