[2-minute read]

And then there’s Mike Brown coaching (and Mitch Johnson for the Spurs, young though he is) in a way that shows trust in his supporting cast: no Brunson, no KAT, and players who’ve been trusted all season — guess what? — are ready to play when it counts. Big third quarter, game could’ve gotten away from the Knicks with Towns’s 4th (terrible call!) foul. And the stars are fresher? Yes. And will be, in the fourth quarter. I really like the NBA’s movement towards not only faster play, not only more full-court pressure on star guards, but the consequent requirement to play more guys and play like a team. I love coaching this way, which is essential in a high school program. Who knows who’s going to grow, mature, work his tail off, gain confidence…? And in this case, who knows how many important plays a trusted substitute (Shamet, McBride) or complementary player (Hart! Bridges!) can make?

Knicks up 12, early in the 4th. Brown *still* playing his bench, and they’re playing well. And Daddy (Coach) Rick Brunson wants to get in there to defend his boy! Coach Rick gets no technical foul for going all the way down to the Spurs bench to challenge the schoolyard bullies? (This game is close to going off the rails.) Jalen Brunson is way too cool to get baited into a foul like Fox (and Friends!) were hoping for. Nice try De’Aaron…”Too physical!” says Richard Jefferson on the broadcast, and I can’t agree more. Rugby rules. Blow the whistles, refs! That eventually *does* lead to the ability to let ’em play. Right now, not much skill is even possible. I get that officials don’t want to decide things, though. Toughest game in the world to referee.

And again I notice: wow, the Knicks have a surprisingly loud following in San Antonio. Resale market for tickets, and San Antonio ticket-holders have terrible temptations, in the many thousands of dollars, to make some money on their ducats. And the Knicks are an ancient and durable brand.

And what a finish! Spurs are so young, but tough! Their guard pressure, Fox and Harper (a baby! and a grown-arse man!) and the maybe gimpy Castle — so physical, and with the way the game’s being refereed, playing hard without (?) fouling. Tie game, rookie Harper with another big drive to the goal. Oh, and a crucial replay: turnover against the Knicks turned into three free throws for OG Anunoby. (Foolish foul in the coffin corner. Game changer.) (Wish OG was still a Raptor. Don’t expect *he* does.) Spurs huge, and then Brunson, fouled at least three times bringing the ball up, STILL gets a huge clutch shot off to tie…

Crunchiest of crunch times.

Whew! Wemby had a great look, straight as a die, long and strong (what we shooting coaches love to see, in a practicing player’s miss) but still a miss. Superb, furious, brave comeback by the Spurs but what an early-fourth-quarter clinic by the Knicks to compile what turned out to be just enough of a lead — as long as Victor doesn’t miss the last one. As long as Victor doesn’t, for moments here and there, look exactly like the young, young player, however magnificent he can be, that he *is*. And how can I not pull for Karl-Anthony Towns after a thoughtful, feeling interview like that one in the immediate aftermath of such a game? He came close to suggesting that his beloved mother blew Wembanyama’s shot off the back rim from the heavenly gates, but all that humility and all that gratitude for the game? Sweet and noble stuff, even if it is only about the winning and the losing of a silly sports match. One that millions lost sleep (and money, and their minds) over.

And I’m not in bed before midnight, but I still love sport. And I’m glad I watched. Nice ramblin’ atcha! Thanks for reading.