NBA Mailbag: What will be the deciding factor in the Finals?

Key Points:

• Jamal Crawford highlights that the NBA Finals will be decided by willpower, with both the Knicks and Spurs energized and determined, especially given the Knicks' long Finals absence since 1999 and Wemby's leadership for the Spurs.
• Defensively, the Knicks should try to pull Wemby away from the basket using Karl-Anthony Towns' shooting to spread the floor, while the Spurs will utilize screens and pick-and-rolls to get Wemby comfortable near the basket and optimize his passing.
• The Spurs have greater depth with multiple playmakers who can stagger minutes effectively, featuring bench players like Carter Bryant and Luke Kornet, whereas the Knicks rely heavily on stars like Jalen Brunson and KAT.
• Crawford predicts a closely contested Finals series likely going six or seven games, emphasizing that fans are the true winners regardless of the outcome, and suggests that a Spurs victory would mark the start of the "Wemby era."
• On player development, Crawford advises young guards to prioritize shooting, film study, and playing real games to adapt to physicality and game situations, rather than focusing solely on individualized skill drills.