SAN ANTONIO — It’s real now.
The time for talk is over. The flashbacks to the Knicks’ last NBA Finals appearance in 1999 and their last championship in 1973 don’t mean much anymore. The praise of their overpowering 11-game winning streak will soon become moot.
Tuesday’s Media Day at the Frost Bank Center felt like the official start of the Finals. Once it started, all of that other stuff moved to the periphery. All focus turned to Wednesday’s Game 1.
“For my career, I’ve only been able to see that Finals logo on TV,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “So it means a lot to be the person that sees the logo on their jersey and has this opportunity. The word ‘grateful’ is all I can say. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m grateful for the team I have here and the brothers I have, and honored to be wearing this jersey.”
The Knicks on Tuesday got their first taste of everything that is different during the Finals. There were extra media obligations and swarms of reporters everywhere they turned.
Their practice was viewed by more people and for a longer period of time than any of their practices all year, besides the ones before the NBA Cup semifinal and final. Their schedule was dictated by the NBA, not by themselves. They were asked silly questions by social media personalities looking to go viral. Guillermo from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was lurking and attempting to get funny clips.
There is nothing normal about the NBA Finals experience. It is different from pretty much everything players and coaches become used to in the regular season and across the first three rounds of the playoffs.
“I feel like everything leading up to Game 1 is going to be definitely heightened just because of everything that goes on around it,” Jalen Brunson said. “I think most importantly, when you can prepare the right way, when you do your routines, when you treat it like a normal game, it allows you to be as normal as possible.
“For me, just trying to make sure I’m level-headed, making sure I do the things I need to do pregame-wise. Not change anything just because it’s the Finals.”
Added Josh Hart: “It’s an honor, but can’t focus too much on the outside world and the run so far. … Nothing has changed for us. Obviously this is like a zoo going on right now with all the media and all this stuff. But I think we’re just focused on the task at hand and ready to get started with Game 1.”
How well teams adjust to all the differences that playing in the Finals brings with it can be pivotal. Managing all the potential distractions that the Finals can produce is imperative.
Take it from Steve Kerr, who has been to a whopping 11 Finals as a player or coach, winning nine of them.
“I think it’s even dramatically different just from the conference finals,” Kerr told The Post. “Just with the media obligations, the look, the feel of everything, the way you have to practice in the arena and not your practice facility, everything just feels different. Everything is a little different and you have to adjust to that quickly as a team to be ready.”
At the heart of these Finals is a fascinating clash of superstars. Jalen Brunson vs. Victor Wembanyama is a modern day David vs. Goliath — a below-the-rim guard generously listed at 6-foot-2 vs. a 7-foot-4 unicorn. A second-round pick vs. one of the most hyped No. 1 picks in NBA history.
“Watching him as a player, it’s pretty unbelievable,” Brunson said. “Things he’s able to do on both sides of the ball. People have never really seen before, for a person of his size. It’s incredible to watch from a player’s perspective.”
Wembanyama had plenty of respect for the Knicks as well.
“It’s a great team,” he said. “It’s a great team of experienced guys who are not here by chance, but by relentless effort over the years. Very different career paths for all of them. They’re right where they’re supposed to be, in my opinion. All of them are going to be super hungry in their own way.”
Those mutual feelings of admiration will go on the back burner once Game 1 starts, however.
The NBA Finals are finally underway. Buckle up.