Magic Johnson Says Wembanyama's 13-block Formula Won't Work Against Knicks in Finals
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jun 1
Magic Johnson Says Wembanyama's 13-block Formula Won't Work Against Knicks in Finals
2 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jun 1
Game 1 opens Wednesday in San Antonio with Magic Johnson arguing Victor Wembanyama cannot defend New York the way he did Oklahoma City in the West finals.
13 blocks against the Thunder came largely from a Spurs zone that kept Wembanyama in the paint, but Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby can drag him to the perimeter with their 3-point shooting.
Towns has hit 20 playoff threes at 49% and Anunoby has made 18, giving the Knicks a spacing threat Johnson and Kendrick Perkins say Oklahoma City lacked.
San Antonio could counter by putting Wembanyama on Josh Hart and letting him roam, though Hart is shooting 30% from deep this postseason.
The matchup shifts the Finals focus from Wembanyama's rim protection to whether the Spurs can adjust their defense against New York's floor spacing.