Knicks Target 7-foot-4 Wembanyama With Spacing Plan in NBA Finals
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 3
Knicks Target 7-foot-4 Wembanyama With Spacing Plan in NBA Finals
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 3
Summary
New York will try to drag Victor Wembanyama out of the paint by using Josh Hart as his matchup, turning the Spurs star’s rim protection into a spacing problem.
Hart’s 3-point volume is central to that plan: even when he misses, Wembanyama’s closeouts can leave smaller Spurs defenders boxed onto Karl-Anthony Towns and open offensive-rebound chances.
Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are expected to attack those gaps, while Jalen Brunson’s pull-up 3s could further force San Antonio to alter coverages that usually keep Wembanyama near the rim.
Mitchell Robinson adds another wrinkle if his broken pinkie allows him to play in Game 1, because his lob threat can pull Wembanyama deeper and free midrange space for Brunson and Bridges.
The series opens Wednesday night with New York’s offense hinging on whether it can win the areas Wembanyama does not occupy against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.