Jeff Teague delivers surprising Knicks verdict on Thunder and Spurs matchups
Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images The New York Knicks took a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers last Thursday, fuelling belief that a trip to the NBA Finals could be within reach. With the Knicks favoured to come out of the East, focus is already shifting to who they might face if they get there. The Thunder and Spurs remain locked in a tight battle out West, and Jeff Teague sees the two teams as very different challenges for New York.
Jeff Teague likes Knicks’ chances against OKC, wary of Spurs matchup Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for iHeart Media and The Black Effect Podcast Network Speaking on the Club 520 Podcast on Friday, the former NBA champion said he thinks the Knicks match up well against Oklahoma City. “I ain’t gonna lie, I think they could beat OKC,” Teague said (via NBA Courtside). “OKC is cold but the Pacers had them.
” He went on: “And the Knicks, they got enough bodies. I damn near got the Knicks winning the chip, bro, I ain’t going to lie. ” It was already a bold take given the Thunder’s depth, pace and two-way consistency.
But Teague’s tone changed completely when the Spurs came up. “Unless it’s against the Spurs. If they play the Spurs it’s over, they ain’t got nothing for Wemby,” he concluded.
It is an interesting perspective, especially given how the regular season played out. The Knicks lost both games to OKC, while they split their two meetings with San Antonio. The path to the Finals is still far from clear for the Knicks, but, in Teague’s view, who emerges from the West will make a huge difference.