Lowe: “If the Knicks win, Brunson will probably win Finals MVP. Because he’s Jalen Brunson, he made the big shot and the big free throw tonight. But KAT has a case for it, we’re not there yet, he’s been outstanding.”
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZC0nmBoYmK1v6ynQNeXK1?si=DMap4KnWTSy1KO9UAn3oZQ&t=644
KAT should definitely win fmvp at this rate.
Plus it would be so funny if all of Embiids rivals had a FMVP and he didn’t. Like imagine KAT, Jokic, and Giannis all having one. I like Embiid too, it’s just kind of funny lol
Andre Drummond next
surely it’s not too late for al horford
and fuck Jimmy Butler while we’re at it
Wiggins and KAT both being NBA Champions would be quite a funny timeline
As a certified Jimmy Butler hater this would be my 12⁄25
Even funnier is the thought of KAT getting a FMVP before bum ass Jimmy Butler
Look I’m from NY but jimmy butler ain’t no bum dude has an incredible come up story and is a grinder with multiple finals appearances. Don’t have to knock down a player to build another one up
Ok, so? Butler has built his own reputation on trashing others especially KAT with that whole dumb third stringers story.. Only fair to say its fun seeing KAT winning a championship before Butler
Incoming Marc Gasol comeback FMVP season
He said rivals, not father.
Embid is still in the process making era.
Then the 76ers win and Maxey gets it
Yeah, KAT is a superstar himself, it’s not like we’re saying Bridges should win it or something.
KAT absolutely has the brand recognition to win the FMVP, and he’s clearly been the best player in the Finals, frankly no one else is even close.
KAT is definitely not a superstar, I mean I guess it depends on what your definition of one is but when I see superstars I think LeBron, KD, Steph, Giannis, Jokic etc..
KAT has been a 20⁄10 guy for a long time now. He’s been elite for a long time and anyone can win fmvp. Wouldn’t be unlike jaylen brown over tatum
If Iguodala won FMVP, then KAT deserves to win the award too
Exactly what I was gonna comment geloong41 good point
That’s underselling him too. His career averages are 23⁄11 right now. Former #1 pick, 6 time all star, 3 time all nba.
I’d like to think superstars = household names. best of the best but also those with name recognition that can drive jersey/shoe sales.
KAT’s great but he’s like a third tier superstar. The guys you listed + Shai, ANT, Luka, Wemby, Tatum even Brunson are above him. Which ain’t bad those guys are all really good and if he keeps it up in this series specifically he goes in that tier imo. If they win that dunk where he yells in Wemby’s face is going down in history.
Yep. Its a finals trophy, not a playoffs.
Though it should be
Without Kat the Knicks would have lost both games by 30+
He and OG Anunoby are the only two players looking unbothered by the Spurs defense or offense.
It feels like the media is gaslighting us. Are we just going to ignore that KAT is also outplaying Wemby?
I don’t know if Zach was always like this but to me he is just a follow the main narrative guy at this point. Idk how he thinks “KAT has a case” rather than “its his MVP to lose”
Yeah for me Kat has been the star for the knicks in these playoffs. It’s more stat watchers who don’t think he’s the frontrunner right now.
Brunson has shot a horrendously bad 19⁄56 in these Finals I dont think stat watchers would have him as MVP. 50 points on 56 shots. The same number of turnovers as assists (8). He is also by far the worst defender on the floor at all times.
Depends what stats they are watching. Some “stat watchers” don’t even care about efficiency just PRA
I could see Jalen going off at the Garden and getting it.
But it 100% is KAT’s to lose right now. And am I crazy for thinking Jalen wouldn’t even be second either at this point? OG and Bridges have been better too
OG has been better overall but Brunson’s game 1 4th quarter and his game tying (and free throw) in game2 put him above OG.
Mikal has been nice, but c’mon lol.
I love Zach but he tends to not do the emotional talking points much.
I don’t think he is underselling KAT here I think he is more saying “Kat through 2 games is the mvp, but Jalen Brunson will get the credit because of what he has meant for the franchise and the national view of him “.
I get I’m adding context but I don’t see this as anything other than saying the quarterback will get the mvp but really this running back was more impactful.
Brunson is handling the ball up court under an insane press right now and the Knicks overall defense is definitely not getting the credit it deserves for Wemby’s performance. With that said KAT keeps this up and has a couple more top tier highlight plays? His alone. Right now it wouldn’t be shocking if Brunson won it over him
Brunson shot 33% in game 2 lol. Kat by a mile
Charles Barkley, maybe the single most visible NBA commentator, said “Big KAT is just taking his ass to the woodshed plain and simple” … not sure what you’re looking for
They are doing the dirty work. It’s not pretty, but they are grinding.
Bridges is playing exceptionally well also. He ran that bench unit that kept things moving late in the 3rd and to start the 4th.
So how would y’all do without Brunson
and if I remember correctly, OG and Towns have had the #1 and #2 best TS% in the entire playoffs.
Both players have been spectacular
I love Brunson. But we don’t care who wins it. Just seal the chip
Yeah, he already got the ECF’s MVP I don’t think he would mind just not getting this one if he gets the championship.
There’s no way you’re comparing ecf mvp to finals mvp. No one cares about those. But yeah ofc he would rather win and not get it than lose
I mean he has already won the NBA Cup MVP, he has been carrying all season long, even if he gets contained in the Finals, the Larry O’Brien trophy is the true goal.
Yeah but he could also be the first person to get NBA Cup MVP, ECF MVP and Finals MVP in a single season which would be way more impressive than a championship
^/s
Don’t get me wrong you’re absolutely spot on. It just may get a little annoying 6 months from now when morons on this subreddit say Andre Iguodala is a better than the guy who was the best player on your team for all but 1 or 2 games and finals mvp is the only award ever that matters
KAT has been outstanding all playoffs, this is more like a KD Steph on the warriors thing
Just like Kobe “being carried” narrative. Shame that there were no WCF MVP trophies back then.
Then people are going to say “jalen brunson got carried”, “he wasn’t the 1st option” “his a 2nd/3rd option” etc its predictable what people are going to say
Which would be ok. This team is more like those championship Pistons teams. Someone could make the argument that both KAT and OG were as impactful, if not more, than Brunson in the early rounds with their defense plus insane efficiency. Hell we had Shamet and Mikal just refuse to miss. This isnt an AI situation, Brunson is the leading scorer on a team of guys who are playing at an absolutely elite level. The fact that he can shoot terribly and the team still gets a win is evidence of that.
Who cares about what casuals say? Ask any true Knicks fans and they will say that Brunson is our Messiah and the rest of the team can and will gladly take over if necessary if Brunson is being neutralized.
The victory is the sum of it’s parts, Brunson is a great player but he has an amazing roster. Both things are true.
Well he has an amazing roster because he took the paycut. New York fans will remember that.
Yeah and I doubt Brunson would care either. if it went to KAT. This team is unselfish.
We didn’t care that Steph didn’t win in 2015. But we kinda care now lol. That being said, I hope yall win it, and both KAT and Brunson as of now would be deserving
Honestly right now its KAT. Hes played well for two games, Brunson played fantastic for one quarter.
Brunson is gonna need another 30 point game or else it WILL go to kat. Regardless, series ain’t over. Spurs going to come out fighting for their lives with extra rest.
The thing is, it took 31 shot attempts to score those 30 points. 25 shots to score 20 points.
KAT is doing this on 12 shots and playing both ends. I hope he wins it and gets his flowers if Knicks win
Oh trust me I do think kat deserves it if they win at this point and if this trend continues you gotta give it to him. But if Brunson has a 30 point game again with closing a fourth ESPN blows their load and it’ll go to him. As much as I’d love to fight point guard arguments about brunson with a finals mvp, kat deserves it right now only after game two. After game one it was JB. Regardless not getting ahead of myself they haven’t won shit yet.
If it’s even close and Jalen gets it. Jalen will say he didn’t deserve it and give it to Kat 100%
yup, Cap gives props where its due
It has to be Kat. He held it down whenever the Knicks were down big. 14 points deficit in game 1 and 12 in game 2. Kat made plays to cut that lead and give Brunson the chance to take it while the games were tied.
Nah I think it’s going to be a sweep. Almost blowing the lead tonight will actually help the Knicks to simulate another angle at figuring out the Spurs defense.
The next 96 minutes are a formality. This one is done and dusted
Kat deserves it
It’s KAT and not particularly close.
Look who he is doing it against. KAT the best player this series AGAINST WEMBY.
Brunson has zero legitimate case over Towns
He made THE free throw? Uhhh what about the other one that woulda kept them from losing on the shot that almost went in? (Knicks fan fwiw too lol)
And blowing a wide open lay up that would have given them breathing room too. It’s KATs.
Yeah like bro what are we talking about here
Brunson needs to get his shit together.
its just a bad matchup and hes clearly hobbled from that knee injury, this matchup was always designed for KAT and mikal/og to cook
I wouldn’t even say it’s a bad match up, they are definitely playing aggressive. He can’t even dribble or get down the lane to do his usual floaters.
I think more than anything his knee isn’t 100% right now, his shots are falling short from the start of the game. Onto game 3, let’s see how he responds after a 2 day break.
Brunson getting a generational whistle in game 3. Crowd gonna be too hyped and the refs are swayed by that.
Sounds like he shouldnt be jacking up 31 shots and than 25 shots?
Idc how many shots he chucks up. 5 mins left the ball better be in his hands
Yeah and thanks to that, we nearly lost game 2.
And thanks to that, we won game 1. Most teams don’t win the first 2 on the road in the finals yet the Knicks got it done with their primary scorer having a bad performance. A lot of Knicks fans are just too negative
Or if he wasnt ass the first 3 quarters, we still would have won game 1. We won game 2 in spite of brunson. Not cus of him. -10 in a 1 point win LOL.
He’s the shortest guy on the court getting no calls up against the best defense in the league who’s main priority is stopping him. He got beat up game 1 and still locked in to win the game. We aren’t in the finals without Brunson period.
No, we nearly lost game 2 because of the bizarre 2 calls against KAT forcing him to sit.
I don’t know about bad matchup but they are absolutely throwing everything at Brunson, full court press, constant doubles, playing super physical on him, he is literally a black hole on the court with the amount of gravity he is pulling.
Brunson is literally pulling all the gravity to him, Spurs as a team are dedicating so much mental and physical energy to Brunson
Bro the b2b MVP shot 30% against this team.
Give Brunson some grace. He’s doing his job and still forcing them to respect him.
KAT is definitely playing better tho.
Yeah and the rest of our team is shooting efficiently. Maybe the one guy who isnt shooting well should, I dont know, pass the ball?
Why do you think all of them are shooting efficiently? All the Spurs defensive focus is on Brunson. That leaves other guys open or in bad matchups.
I think theyre shooting well because they have the ball in their hands and when brunson is sitting on the bench. As evident by his -10 in a 1 point win. Or just look at his 8 assist in 2 games vs 56 fking shots LOL. Meanwhile Kat has just 27 shots vs 8 assist.
Edit: more fun stats Bridges has 9 assist vs 19 shots.
Our point guard somehow is shooting less efficiently, double the amount and passing less than our shooting guard.
They’re shooting well bc the spurs are over helping when they don’t need to. Yes Brunson is drawing that. But it’s very dumb of the spurs to send help when Brunson is 5 steps behind the 3pt line. That happened multiple times in both games.
The Knicks would have lost 1 one if Brunson wasn’t clutch late in the 4th quarter.
Or the knicks win game 1 if brunson wasnt ass in quarters 1-3.
They did win game 1 tho?
Yes we did.
Not bc of Brunson. Why do you get credit for putting out a fire you started? If most players take 31 shots, some, including clutch shots will go in.
Thats a good analogy lol.
They would have lost without either of them. But without Brunson they’d lose by 4, without KAT they’d lose by 14.
Those 2 missed 3s that were so open hurt me
It was overall bad Brunson game , but he was drawing the majority of the defensive attention. Spurs were pressuring, trapping at halfcourt, sending 2 to the ball, etc. particularly in 3rd quarter, Brunson was drawing 2 and getting it to a teammate. Knicks had 29 assists, a lot of that was off advantages created by Brunson drawing 2.
Also hey he had 5 steals.
He’s been extremely clutch in the 4th when it matters most
Brunsons free throw today was basically the game winner.
Give Bodega Kat his FMVP
Charles Barkley been pushing for KAT, he knows he has clout
Noticed that and happy that he did. Kat has been balling these 2 games.
has to be kat, both sides of the ball he’s been amazing and he’s the perfect archetype to shut down wemby
“and the big free throw” how are they turning him choking at the line into a positive thing? lol
He honestly should have said “the big steal”
yeah, wemby fucked up but brunson reacted instantly and got the steal
KAT has been the MVP so far. People just need to watch the games. On a side note, I’ve never seen him play like this.
KAT deserves it.
Idc who wins it, but I will say KAT is the MVP so far but too much basketball still left players can step up from either team
Lowe continues to make a case for being a hot take artist pretending to be an objective analyst
KAT has been amazing man. We don’t have an answer for him
Kat has to be the favorite through 2 games but brunson is due for a more efficient 30 ball soon
Brunson doesn’t deserve it
I urge you to actually watch the games my man. “Made the big shot” yeah and missed 20 other big shots and one of those big free throws as well lmao he almost lost the game when he was shooting free throws. He’s like 10⁄40 this 2 games. Knicks got VERY lucky this game. They literally didn’t win, they SURVIVED. Wemby pass lost the game and JB almost fumbled that one too cause he couldn’t even make 2 FT’s lmao he needs to get his shit together big time. And as of right now KAT is deffinitely FMVP. Coming from someone who’s rooting for the knicks rather than the spurs
KAT was better than Brunson in game 1 despite Brunson’s clutch heroics and was orders of magnitude better in game 2. Not even a debate who’s been the best player in the series so far imo.
He also missed the other big free throw. Love JB but if we are focusing on finals play, KAT is it right now
At this point I think Brunson doesn’t really care. Kat and OG has been playing phenomenal though, just poised and ready
Towns should definitely be winning the FMVP over Brunson. Towns currently is the Knicks best player in this series and is doing a great job against Wemby.
I hope this series doesn’t create Brunson slander. The Spurs are absolutely playing football with him every time up the court or when he has the ball.
The other thing, he’s also getting hot with many away from the ball cheap shots. It’s a good strategy to make sure he doesn’t torch you in the 4th, sure, but the refs are letting them get away with a lot.
“We not there yet.” Then proceed to bring it up.” He does this quite often especially when with Bill Simmons especially on trades after a team loses 1 game.
KAT currently is the Finals MVP.
But even though Brunson is not shooting good right now, he has a immense amount of gravity on offense that is helping his teammates shine. They are literally blitzing the fuck out of Brunson on every possession, doubling, being as physical as possible, full court press
KAT is the best player on the team, they look terrible when he’s not on the court. The Knicks look much easier to guard when it’s just Brunson out there
I’m a little confused why KAT only took two shots in the second half. He was rocking his matchups
Tony Brothers
foul trouble unfortunately
He went back in the 4th though and barely touched the ball
KAT will probably win it. He’s all over the floor
It should be KAT unless Brunson drops at least a 40 bomb in game 3 and 4
Wemby made mince meat of I hart and chet but kat has been too big of a body for wemby thus far. He had a pretty good overall game last night but KAT has been a tough matchup for wemby.
It feels like anytime wemby gets the better of KAT, KAT gets him right back
KAT is the MVP of the first two games, and it’s not even close.
Brunson shouldn’t get to win it because of his name, KAT has been the best player in this series. Give him his flowers.
Jalen Brown got it over Tatum, and Siakam got the ECF over Hali, so I do think KAT will get it if he continues to be this good.
To bad Lowe is Spotify locked so I can’t listen to him anymore.
Google other podcast apps and you’ll find the solution you’re looking for
Not a problem to me using Overcast.
Someone bout to get paid if Kat wins it
No one cares right now. They both have a shot to win it as long as they win two more. LFG.
Kat deserves it more than brunson tbh
Nah KAT better get it
Serious question: who actually decides the award winner?
A panel of 11 media members who vote right after the Finals.
What’s the point of these discussions? They have to win two more games and there’s no guarantee Brunson and KAT will continue performing the same way. Just let the games play out.
KAT deserves the MVP. Jalen has the same number as assist as turnovers this series. 50 points on 56 shots. 19-56 FG. He’s been great in the clutch, but KAT has been incredible.
And just to be clear, Brunson is an amazing player. I just think after 2 games KAT deserves it.
even Tony Brothers couldnt stop KAT today
In defense of Brunson, the Spurs should absolutely get credit for his shooting percentages. He still needs to overcome that and either start making shots or punishing them pay for the focus they put on him, that’s what the best player on a championship level team should do.
Push comes to shove, he’s gotten them over the line two games in a row, and he’s done so while out of rhythm. KAT has gotten him to those clutch moments so deserves the credit so far, but to act like Brunson hasn’t been just as important would be a refusal to look at the big picture of how everyone on that team is pulling their weight perfectly so far. If Brunson has a big game at MSG then it’s probably game over for the Spurs, and honestly one big game is all it’ll take to get him that award. And if KAT can manage another two games willing those boys into the clutch the way he has so far then he probably deserves the nod. Either way the Knicks probably aren’t up if it wasn’t for both those guys (as well as the others, it’s seriously impressive how much that team is lifting as a whole)
It’s the Kobe over Paul debate back in 2010. Pau had a better all around series but it still went to Kobe.
Kobe averaged 28.6 ppg, 8rpg, 4 apg and 2.1spg shooting 40.5% in 7 games against the celtics. Brunson so far is averaging 25ppg 4rpg and 4 apg on 33.9% fg. There is no comparison here
Pau didn’t have a single better game except game 6. The first 5 games Kobe was best player on either team by far. Game 7 neither were great
So sitting on the bench while your team plays the biggest defensive possession is MVP worthy? Brunson hit a big shot but KAT has played great and has the responsibility of guarding Wemby.
KAT getting it would be cool
Or a non-Wemby Spur
100% I’d be giving it to KAT.
Top KAT
I don’t think it’s a stretch at all that KAT wins it
KAT was the best player on both ends of the floor for a very long stretch of this game and most of G1 Brunson hasn’t been great in either game outside of 6 minutes in the 4th of G1.
KAT should be the leader for FMVP as it stands.
They wouldn’t be in the finals without Brunson playing like an MVP, but they’re not going to win the finals without KAT playing like an MVP.
Kat is definitely the leading candidate at the moment but anything could happen the next few games
If Andre Iguodala can win FMVP then KAT deserves to be the favorite for this year’s FMVP.
Based off these two games KAT most definitely should be the dude getting it.
Lowe: theres no conclusion to fmvp. More at 9
Pacome Dadiet could win it for all I care.
lol KAT 100 percent gets it man, absolute game changer this series
Kat for FMVP , 17-56 from Brunson is not fmvp stats simple
People need to relax. There are at least 2, maybe 4-5 games left in the series. A lot can change by then. There’s no need to crown a MVP right now.
It’s KAT by a mile. Brunson has been battling
No, its KAT… No offense to Brunson which is a very great clutch shooter but KAT deserved it .. he is consistent in defending Wemby plus can hit buckets very well…
KAT is the Finals MVP as of game 2 no question. He wasn’t even touching the ball in most of their possessions but his presence alone opens a lot of opportunities for his teammates. He’s winning his matchup against the Spurs’ best player and he only has a case? Lol
Brunson doesnt even have a case for 2nd atm lol
Brunson hasn’t played the best basketball on the Knicks. However, the entire Spurs defensive gameplan is designed around trying to stop him. Towns has definitely had the best performance through two games.
fucking media people, its 2-0 and they’re debating who’s MVP. Who cares at this point??? Can we just watch the games?
Brunson will gladly give it to KAT
Brunson is also drawing a lot of doubles, and the Knicks are executing well in the 4v3 that results.
What an awful take, just recently we saw Tatum not win finals MVP due to poor efficiency and Brown guarding the best player. Brunson is also inefficient and Kat is guarding the best playing will giving crucial offense. Also…Iggy
If the Knicks players play like they have in g1 and g2 and Brunson wins FMVP that would be disrespectful of what KAT is doing. It’s trying to be the smartest person in the room when the answer is obvious. Brunson has been TERRIBLE.
The incidental Jimmy Butler slander if KAT wins finals MVP will be generational
KAT is the mvp so far.
I can’t believe I live in a world where the Knicks are doing so well that the media is creating fake FMVP controversy. I love my live right now.
Disagree with this nutjob, it’s KAT all the way
Brunson missed a critical free throw at the end and if Wemby doesn’t throw the ball away there is a whole different narrative.
I feel like we are definitely there lol what?
As a knicks fan the Brunson glazing is actually insane. He was the reason they almost lost game 2. Were people watching the same game???
Lmao there’s zero chance KAT doesn’t win it if it was decided today.
So far it should be KAT, and frankly it shouldn’t be close.
We went 2-0 up on the road with KAT as our best player. If that doesn’t get him FMVP idk what will
I’d give it to KAT, his consistency is unmatched.
KAT has been incredible. So has pretty much the entire roster.
But let’s be serious…. Brunson is MVP
I don’t have a vote, but if I did then KAT would have my vote so far.
What an incredibly stupid “argument.” He made a free throw? KAT has been absurdly good. Brunson is shooting 30% and is a turnover machine
KAT has been their best player.
They close these games because of Brunson. But KAT is the reason they stay in them and get ahead. It’ll be a shame if people ignore now dominant he’s been.
It’s not just these Finals either. It’s since G2 vs the Hawks.
Lol at “a case for it” as if KAT hasn’t clearly been the best player both in these playoffs and in this series. This all feels like what people want to happen is going to overpower what should happen and that’s unfair to KAT but how life often goes.
KAT: Wait for game 3 buddy. You ain’t see nothing yet. KAT about to drop 30/15/7
It’s KAT. I hate narrative awards.
KAT should be FMVP bruh. The superstar shouldn’t automatically get the FMVP.
… not Danhausen?
KAT’s gonna win at this point unless Brunson performances for the ages in the next couple of games especially this is a sweep, which doesn’t give Brunson much time.
No. It’s KAT.
KAT was dropping dimes too, neutralized Wemby really well and disrupted their whole game plan. Plus 12 boards a night.
Lol, they’ve played 2 games
Brunson is going to win MVP cus hes going to make the series competitive.
Has Brunson been even a top 3 or 4 player on the Knicks this series?
Lowe is irrelevant here. Who was waiting on his take? It’s KAT rn
Scorers always get the benefit of the doubt.
Iguodala was the exception, even Kawhi’s first finals MVP was a bit of a surprise given how votes typically go. Though he obviously deserved it.