It’s not whom we expected to see in the NBA finals, but it shapes up as a fascinating series that starts tonight.

The San Antonio Spurs have arrived ahead of schedule, and not just because of the dominance of Victor Wembenyama.

The New York Knicks are there, because they earned it, but also because other Eastern powers fell apart, Cleveland and the Boston Celtics most notably.

The Spurs are doing it with a young coach in Mitch Johnson.  Mike Brown has reinvented himself and uncovered gems in the New York lineup.

San Antonio grinded thru their series in the West, but they are (42-10) since December.  The Knicks have rolled thru the East, and take an (11-0) record into Game one.

Here are questions worth considering heading into tipoff time:

Will the Knicks try to run all night, push the ball up the floor, and wear Wembenyama out?

Can San Antonio make it a half court game, control tempo, and impose their suffocating defense on the Knicks?

Who wearing NY colors will defend Wembenyama, Karl Anthony Towns or AG Anunoby?

Can Jalen Brunson cope with the banging he will get by the Spurs defense?

Will the Spurs come out blazing with long distance thee point shots?

Can the Knicks much improved bench score to keep up with the firepower San Antonio brings to the court?

Will the pressure of people comparing him to Walt Frazier, John Starkes, Earl Monroe get to  Brunson?

Has Wembenyama learned how to cope with pressure and expectation of 48-minutes of playoff games?

How many celebrities will sit courtside at the Garden and will there be more superstars in the seats than on the court?

Will Spike Lee have to wear a Sombrero if the Spurs beat the Knicks?

Going to be fun.  Not whom we expected to be here, but two teams that have come together.

Enjoy it.

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