Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns on the Knicks being up 2-0 in the NBA Finals 🔥 | NBA on ESPN

We're going to take first question here on the left side, fourth row, John.

Hey, this is for both you guys, actually, since you were both involved in it.That play in the second quarter, four minutes left, you guys had four straight driving kicks, or what we might call sprays, I guess.Can you just tell us kind of what you were seeing on that play and how that kind of evolved for you guys?

I mean, we were just reading react, and we were playing off each other.It's all the same thing you did.

Like he said.Front right.

When it wouldn't be through the ball off castle.Can you talk about what you saw there?And how surprised were you that the ball came loose there?

Yeah, I just I saw he wasn't looking so I just tried to go get it Didn't know if it's gonna go out of bounds.I just didn't want you know want me to come back and get it and Just had to secure the ball and got fouled once repeater line Jared here front left Jalen.

What is it Jared towards the New York Post?You know, what does it say that?when they made that run to tie the game that, you know, there was no panic or no nervousness that, you know, you've been in these situations before and, you know, you just kind of went to work and executed.

We got to do a good job of staying composed in those situations.It's a credit to the character that this team has.Not being able to fold in a situation like that is key to winning games like this.At this stage of the season, things aren't going to be pretty.It's going to be ugly.It's going to be grinded out.

It's simple as that.No matter what the situation is, we're gonna have each other's back.

Ian Begley, SNY.You mentioned a lot about your teammates having trust in you.You got to trust in your teammates on a night like this.What can you say about how the group stepped up?

That's just who they are.That's who my teammates are.Night in and night out, they come and bring it.There's always going to be things said, regardless of the situation.But I have the most trust and faith in them, just because of their work ethic and the things that we're able to do every day.Now when it's behind, when there's no cameras and we're in the practice gym, when we're in film, when we're trying to be the best thing we can be, that's when, in those moments, that's when we grow.

Standing on the right, third row.Cut.Ramon Estevez, Deportes Helenea, Dominican Republic.Before the series start, you should have made a plan how to defend Wembley in your mind after these two games.How the plan has come out?Better or the same level you saw?

I mean, it's all about the team's success.So for us to be up 2 -0, it's a testament to the coaches getting us a great game plan and to my teammates executing the game plan.So it's a team effort, and we found a way to win these two games.So it's a shout out to everyone coming together for the greater cause.Vinny, second row on the right.

Carl, Vince Goodwell, ESPN.You've been on the other side, a young team trying to figure it out against a more experienced ball club.Is there a part of you that looks at a game like today, the way that it played out, and thinks, you know, like, it's our time?

I think it's, I have been on the other side where you're a young team and you, you know, you're trying to do a lot to win the game and I think that for us,we keep leaning on experience and we keep leaning on the word execution.And I think we did a good job when we needed to executing, but we didn't do as well as we want to.So when we get back to New York, we'll get back to work.We'll get back to the gym and try to correct the mistakes we made tonight.

Second row on the right.Joe Maseri, PIX11, this is for both of you guys.It seemed like there was an extra level of physicality and intensity on their part, trying to even out the series here.Do you think that they can go to another level when it comes to that?Or at this point, do you think you guys have all, we've seen from both teams essentially, the highest level of play that we're going to see for the series here?

Knowing them, there's definitely not a level.We've got to be prepared, and we've got to be ready to match it.Be ready to play for 48 minutes.And no matter what goes on throughout a game, just having each other's back, regardless of what's going on, who's on the run, who's not, who's up, who's down, just making sure that we're playing together for 48 minutes is really important.

Ian, back right.

Ian O 'Connor with the Athletic Jalen.Human nature being what it is, a lot of teams after winning game one here might have settled for a split.What does it say about the essence of your team that you played game two with the urgency and desperation of a team that really was down 1 -0 instead of up?

Yeah, every single day, we chip away trying to be the best thing we can be.And I think our mindset was 0 -0, not being up 1 -0.And even with what the series is now, next game has the mindset to be 0 -0 again.It's just how it has to be.You can't be comfortable.You can't be satisfied with anything.

You just got to continue to push forward.

Over in this corner, Steve.Steve Popper from Newsday.Carl, for you, Jalen talked a little bit about what your teammates did.And it seemed like you guys almost took turns tonight, guys contributing up and down the roster.But also, Mitch, on that final play, just kind of what you saw there and what you feel for him, what he's gone through to come up with a play like that.

Yeah, I mean, I feel like that last play was the culmination of the game.Downloading information as the game went along guarding one beat throughout the game and I think at the last possession it was the best defense he's played on him all day and it was there was no better time for him to do that, but Mitch's is a hell of a defensive player and you know you you you expect him to make the best effort defensively and It just speaks to his resiliency to you know going out here playing with the injury and coming up with the biggest play of the game It just speaks to like again.I always tell y 'all like how important he is to our team and the impact he has on our team.He's one of a kind.There's, I don't know if there's maybe another Mitch Robinson in the league.I only think there's only Mitchell Robinson.

There's only one of them and we're honored and blessed to have him.Barbara, second row.

Chaelen, Carl just talked a lot about Mitch and, you know, the job he did in Wembley, but can you talk about the job that Carl has done, you know, making him work for every point?I mean, making him work for every point.

Yeah, he's been great.I think, He's been pretty phenomenal on both sides of the ball.And so the things he's been able to do throughout this entire playoffs, but obviously here now, has been great.But we need more.

Valencia on the line.

Valencia King with real talk sports Jalen after the game I asked Mike how this group has evolved him as a coach and challenged him nothing but positive things to say obviously But for you, how has this approach to coaching help you grow this season?

Yeah, it's um, his approach has been great when he's not Barking like he did the other day yeah, I don't know what that was but He challenges us every day to be better than we were the day before We challenge him somehow someway But blessed to have him.Tina in the back right.

Tina Servacio, Fox 5 New York.And it's kind of for both of you if you want to answer.Jalen, you've been talking about how nobody folds.Play every game like it's 0 -0.Carl, you referred to the experience.Is there any impact from the experience of being eliminated in the conference finals last year that continues to fuel the way you guys are playing through this streak right now?

Just last year from JV?

I would say a little bit.After that, obviously, you come into the new year.It's a new journey, new pieces.Something's different, new set of goals and everything.So it's all about growing together as a team and just going through your battles, going through the journey, going through the ups and downs of it, and then making sure that we're all focused on one thing.And so it may play a part, but I think the best thing we've been able to do is just find a way to get better every single day.

I know I sound like a broken record, but it's really important.

Take the last two.Christian and then Dan.

Christian Winfield, New York Daily News.Question for both of you guys.We've talked about resilience now all season long, maybe even last season as well.Just on a personal level for both of you guys, what's your personal source of resilience?Where do you draw on to fight back when things get tough?

Each other?Yeah, each other.This team leans on each other.I think that's why we've gotten here.It's why we've had the success we had during the regular season, even when things weren't going great.It's because at the end of the day, when things do get tough and the trials and tribulations do present themselves, this team doesn't Disband they don't go away from each other.

We lean into each other even more.We trust each other even more to get out of the rut It's what special teams do I mean Jalen knows he's he has a national championship and you've seen the camaraderie and unity they had so I ain't get one so But I know the success I did have in my career has always came down to one thing has been the unity of the team How well does that team really truly enjoy being in each other's presence?because The NBA season is a grind.And you're going to be with each other more than you're going to be with your families, your kids.And if you guys don't truly enjoy the grind and the work that needs to be put in together, I don't think success is possible.So it's a testament to these guys.

That's where the resiliency comes from, that we don't want to let each other down.We do look at each other as family, as brothers.And we don't ever want to see each other not succeed.

Dan, front row in the center, last question.

Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports, one for each of you guys.Carl, does this feel like the best version of you that you've seen so far, just putting it all together on both ends of the floor?And then Jalen, just a couple of tough shooting nights to start the series.How do you feel about the process of getting those shots?Do you like the looks you're getting?

Well, for me, I'm just happy to be finding ways to win with JB.everybody.I don't know, I'll leave that question to you and everyone else.I'm just worried about the team result, which is winning.And for JB, I mean, you call it rough shooting nights.I see him hitting the free throw to give us the game, to give Mitch the chance to get the stop for us to win the game.

I seen last game, he hit some of the craziest shots I've seen to give us the game.So I don't know if you say a rough shooting night.I see Captain Clutch doing what he's always been doing since I got here.And I see he's a huge part when it comes down to the actual, the game, to winning the game.The number 11 can't be messed with.Thank you both.

Everybody.

What a ball game.This is a fantastic ball game.They made a run.We made a run.They made a run.We made a run.

So there was a lot of back and forth throughout the course of the game.Obviously, they made their run towards the end, and we could have folded a few times.But our guys just kept fighting.They kept fighting.And the one thing I told them, that you work on connectivity throughout the course of the year for moments like these.And no matter what run they went on, no matter what time of the game, our guys just kept uplifting one another.

Not just the guys on the floor, but the guys on the bench.They just kept uplifting one another throughout the course of San Antonio's runs.So that connectivity that we started with.had during the season, and continue to have now, paid huge dividends for our group.But I wouldn't be right if I did not talk about Mitch.Wimby is, I said it before, he's iconic.

There's nobody like him.He can score from all three levels.He wants the ball.And two big possessions at the end of the game, we put Mitch on them.And what I'm proud about more than anything else is Mitch defended him the right way.Wimby's iconic.

If he makes a shot, he makes a shot.You're not blocking a shot.But you make him work, you lead with your chest, you show your hands, and you embrace those details while trying to guard him, and then box out.It started with Mitch, and it ended with the other four guys boxing out.So just a heck of a job by Mitch guarding the most iconic player in the world on two possessions to possibly win the game.Phenomenal.

Christian, first question here.

Christian Winfield, New York Daily News.I mean, we've talked about resilience all year.What's it like as a coach with the seat that you had right there courtside to watch your team fight time after time, run after run, as you mentioned, and come out with a victory like this?

It's an amazing feeling as a coach to know how mentally tough your team is, no matter what the situation is in front of them.To see them continue to fight and fight and fight and fight no matter what the score is, no matter how much time is on the clock.It's just a fantastic feeling.And I'm telling you, man, the NBA is tough.You don't experience what I'm experiencing with this group a ton.And it is a fricking joy to be around.

Fred?

Mike, you mentioned Mitch.Where do you think his composure and his discipline come from to be able to guard Wemby in the way that he does in those moments?

So I'm a huge fan of country music.So I think when he listens to country music, he gets the chill vibes, because I know I do.I'm sure that's where he got it from.You know what?I don't know.It's just how he's built, man.

He doesn't seem like he ever gets too high.Doesn't seem like he ever gets too low.We play him for 30 seconds and pull him out.We play him for seven minutes and pull him out, and he's the same all the time.I don't know how much he played in the fourth quarter or even the whole game, but we threw him out there.He got a stop.

We sat him down.We threw him out there again, and he was the same.He just went and did his job.But that country music probably has something to do with it.

Hey, Mike.Mike, the challenge you made, I mean, that was a pivotal play.I mean, what did, can you take me through kind of your, what made you challenge it?It looked like you tried to bring in some subs to let Jordan make the decision.Like what was going on there?

Yeah.Jordan Brink, you know, he's been a master at this.And I've said it before, man. I got great assistants, even the guys sitting behind the bench, my young guys.I don't know why I'm scared to death that one of these teams are going to poach my guys.I'm surprised nobody's come at Chris Gent for a head job yet.The guy's won Summer League as a coach.

He's a lead assistant here.I can go down the line talking about all my guys.But Jordan's fantastic.He's been doing this now two years in a row.I rely totally on him.Every once in a while, I lose my mind, get emotional, and try to stick it to the refs, even though I like all of them.

That never works.And so I try, like heck, to follow Jordan's lead.And it was 100 % his call.

Straight ahead.Vince, third row.Goodwill ESPN.Two games Carl Towns has played as complete a basketball game, I think, as you've seen him play probably this season.What has your journey with him been like from the start of the season to now, embracing his role, embracing the small details to maybe a full maturation at this point?

It's supposed to be like it is.You know, excuse me, like it was.He's a great player.I come in with a plan.Maybe the plan doesn't work.Who adjusts, him or me?

Me. I adjust.The adjustment's not enough.You know, every once in a while, we're not on the same page.We talk about it.We talk about it.I adjust again, a little bit better.

He's feeling good.We talk about it.We talk, you know, maybe we take a couple of steps backwards because what I did, he doesn't like, which is fine.It's my job as a coach to fit whatever scheme work we have on both sides of the floor to all of our players.And if you're a great player, I got to make a little bit more adjustments or I got to give a little bit more than you do.And we finally got to a point where he was comfortable, I was comfortable, Jalen was comfortable, OG was comfortable, Mikel was comfortable.

And to me, that's what the regular season's about.The regular season is about finding your way so you can get prepared for this time of the year.And there's going to be a lot of ups and downs.And I hope there's adversity.I hope.like hell there's adversity because we have to see if we're strong enough when it comes to being connected to see if we can get through it during the regular season.

So when we get here, anything we run into, we've already conquered during the regular season.We'll know how to handle it.

Mike, those of us that have been with you all season know how you feel about Landry.And I know you've talked about him ad nauseum.But this guy, I think six of his last eight games, double digit scoring the defense.This guy started on a non -guaranteed deal.For him to be playing moments like this, I know it's something that you thought he could contribute to this team.But for him to come through in this kind of stoic way for this group at this time, what does that say about him and also your belief in him?

In my opinion, I don't know.For the first time, when I was trying to get the job, it's the first time that I watched him closely, because I was watching the Knicks when I was doing my homework.And to me, what it says is, he probably, not just here, I'm talking about his whole career, because he's been a journeyman.Again, I wasn't with him the whole time, but he probably deserved more of an opportunity, What he does out on the floor on both ends is very very very hard to find in this league especially at his size with his mental toughness and his physical toughness and you know, we gave him an opportunity and Showed him we loved him.He embraced it and he's ran with it and we have complete confidence in him Steve.

Mike Steve, Mike Steve Popper from Newsday over here.You've talked a lot about sometimes you'll list down the accomplishments of everybody.

I'm sorry Steve, I talked a lot about what?

Sometimes you'll talk about the accomplishmentsone guy after another.But today it seemed like foul trouble.It just seemed like one guy after another did step up.Yeah.Matt Early, Mikel.

Yeah.Just seemed like there was always somebody who stepped in.Could you talk about that, just how it just seems like somebody's always there for you?

You're 100 % correct.Somebody is always there.You know, Mitch defensively at the end of the ball game.Mikel.during a stretch of the ball game was huge for us on both ends of the floor.You know, you're not stopping a guy like De 'Aaron Fox.

You just gotta try to make him work.We put Mikel on Foxy for a little bit, especially in the second half, and he made him work.But what he did for us offensively when we were struggling, and then when we took Jalen out, was huge.He made big play after big play after big play.Landry hit a couple of shots.Deuce came off the bench late and hit a big three for us.

You know, OG was huge on his drives.Again, a lot of contributions from a lot of guys, and that's why you like having a team.Because it could be anybody's night on any given night.Our guys don't care.They sacrifice for one another, and we found a way to get a win.

We'll take the last two.Dan and Valencia.

Dan in the back.Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports, in the back here, coach.You take that 14 -point lead, the Spurs come back.I think it was 21 -5 that run.You have to burn a couple of timeouts.What's the message in those moments as you're talking to the guys, trying to get them collected as San Antonio makes that push?

Stay composed.We have to keep touching the paint, trying to spray it if win becomes.If you're open, let it fly.Take care of the basketball.But more importantly, we have to get back.We didn't do a great job in transition during that time.

They really got the ball out.and attacked us in transition, so we have to do a better job.And we have to do a part of that is trying to keep them out of the paint.So I kept trying to tell our guys, we got to shift better.We got to confront the ball higher.We have to get back sooner.

And then we got to end it with a box out.And then we need to run.And we need to touch the paint.And if wind becomes, just spray it.

Last question here on the left.

Valencia King with Real Talk Sports.Mike, you mentioned that connectivity that this team has, right?And I know every team is different.Every season is different.But how has this group in particular stretched you to evolve as a coach?How has this group, how has this team stretched you to continue to evolve as a coach?

How have they pushed you?

They pushed me in a lot of different ways, not just the players, but my staff, too.You know, my door is always open and I don't care whose idea it is that brings me an idea.You know, I want to know.It's my decision at the end of the day to say yes or no for the group.And none of my coaches and none of my players are afraid to walk into my offices and say, hey, do this.But in the same breath, if I say, hey, do that, they're also not afraid to say, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

You know, I hear what you're saying, but think about this.Think about that.I don't think it's the best.You know, like I said last in game one, I'm yelling at the refs and I'm wasting my energy doing that.And they were doing a fantastic job, but I'm losing my mind.And Rick tells me to be quiet.

Okay, Rick, you know what?You're right.I got to be quiet.That's happened not just in the last game and not just with Rick, but with players as well and other coaches.And so the connectivity that we all have, the trust that we all have, but more importantly, The fact that none of them are afraid to come look me in my eye and tell me what I need to do better by holding me accountable is huge.Thank you, Coach.

Thank you, guys.