The Athletic NBA Daily – NBA Cup Final Preview (Dec 16, 2025)

Overview

In this special episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, Dave DuFour, Esfandiar Baraheni, and Ben are joined by Knicks beat writer James Edwards (later replaced by Jared Weiss) for a live discussion in Las Vegas, previewing the Emirates NBA Cup Final: New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs. The podcast dives into the NBA Cup’s place in the league, the changes in the Knicks, the rise of the powerhouse Spurs, and what’s at stake for both franchises in this high-profile, midseason title match.

Main Discussion Sections

1. The NBA Cup: Value, Propaganda, and Scheduling Headaches

Key Points:

• Mixed Feelings on the Cup:
  • James Edwards expresses skepticism about the NBA Cup, describing it as "propaganda" responding to regular season shortcomings.
    • "My biggest issue with the cup is the propaganda around it." – James Edwards [02:43]
    • He argues: If the league thinks its regular season is lacking, it should address that directly (e.g., shortening the season).
  • Dave and Ben see positive aspects, arguing the Cup injects energy and stakes reminiscent of NCAA’s March Madness.
    • "Basketball at its best is a single elimination tournament." – Dave DuFour [04:01]
    • Ben adds fun and spectacle matter—sometimes "good propaganda is good." [27:32]

Scheduling Problems:

• The Cup has exacerbated travel for teams, notably the Knicks’ lengthy itinerary (Abu Dhabi, Vegas, Indy, NY in short order).
  • "I can't imagine a team has ever traveled as much..." – James Edwards [08:54]
• Next year, only the final will be in Vegas; hosts argue finals should be at a neutral, central location or at one of the team’s arenas for better fan access. [10:11]

Notable Quotes:

• "If your regular season isn't what you want it to be, let's fix it... shorten the season." – James Edwards [03:11]
• "It's disrespectful to the game I love... There are good games every night." – James Edwards [06:43]
• "Tradition has to start somewhere." – Ben [30:17]

2. Knick’s Evolution: Identity, Offense, and Finals Readiness

Key Changes from Last Year:

• Coaching switch: From Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown; subtle changes, more offensive movement, higher 3-point volume, better role fits for OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart.
  • "There's not much of a structural difference outside of shooting more threes, but they're making so many more shots." – Dave DuFour [12:12]
• Emphasis on spacing, quicker decisions, and increased “read and react” actions (e.g., DHO, cutting, off-ball movement).
  • "Jalen’s a tremendous shooter...he’s shooting more catch and shoot 3s." – James Edwards [14:53]
• Star development: Jalen Brunson top-5 scorer ("pound-for-pound"), Josh Hart’s shooting improvement (with the help of a dedicated shooting coach), Bridges’s “triple hitch” practice shot.

Potential Weaknesses:

• Concerns about the Knicks’ lack of “paint touch” creators vs. switchable, elite defenses.
  • "Their biggest hole on offense is they don’t have enough guys who can break their man down in the halfcourt." – James Edwards [17:52]

Measure Game:

• Hosts and James frame this as a “measuring stick” vs. elite competition—the Knicks have mostly beaten up on lower-tier East teams.
  • "This is a measuring stick game for the Knicks to see where they're at. Way more than for the Spurs." – Dave DuFour [18:45]
• If the Knicks lose badly, it could accelerate front-office considerations for “the big trade,” potentially going all-in for a superstar. [21:01]

3. Spurs’ Breakthrough: Wemby’s Impact and a Unique Contender

San Antonio’s Rise:

• The Spurs’ leap from hopeful play-in team to bona fide title contender is credited to:
  • Victor Wembanyama’s (Wemby’s) supernova effect—defensively and offensively.
  • Three-guard penetration, with Wemby functioning as a "perimeter big," creating a unique spatial dynamic.
  • Adapting play style sans-Wemby during his absence, revealing new capabilities and unlocking offensive pace and confidence.
    • "His injury was a blessing in disguise for this team..." – Ben [31:44]
• Defensive scheme: High ball pressure, aggressive point-of-attack guards, Wemby’s rim coverage enables more mistakes.
  • "He (Wemby) eliminates your margin for error... a 7-foot-5 margin for error." – Ben [34:25]
• The team’s anti-spacing tendency—guards attack rim, Wemby spreads floor—is seen as the next trend cycle in NBA strategy. [33:06]

Star Power & Maturity:

• Wemby emerging as the league’s next face, charismatic on and off the court, showing more outward leadership and competitiveness.
  • "Now it's really starting to show (his personality) ... now that they're winning, we're seeing his competitive nature come out." – Ben [36:15]
• Steph Castle’s leap as a “Dwyane Wade-esque” guard, both as a scorer and with poise for his age.
  • "His patience and deceleration, his role in the game, is meshing into the overwhelming talent." – Ben [42:29]

Memorable Moments/Quotes:

• "We’re at a game, and over time it becomes the Cup—tradition builds." – Ben [30:22]
• "He (Wemby) is as insightful as he is entertaining... the complete package." – Ben [36:35]
• Wemby's in-game impact: "Came in, two offensive rebounds, a defensive rebound, a putback, and an assist in his first 40 seconds." – Dave DuFour [40:18]

4. Looking Ahead: Stakes, Predictions & the Final’s Broader Meaning

What’s at Stake:

• For the Knicks: Proof of concept for their rebuild, pressure not to fall into the “almost team” trap that has haunted past contenders.
  • "You have to hold yourself to that standard... you got to be careful you're not the almost team." – Esfandiar [21:36]
• For the Spurs: Possibility to announce themselves as title favorites in the West, tradition-building for a young dynasty.

Predictions:

• Ben leans Spurs, citing their athleticism, shooting, and Wemby’s continual growth:
  • "If the Spurs win, it’s because they got up 40 threes and hit 15 or 16." [44:01]
• Dave notes pressure on the Knicks to prove their mettle:
  • "They should come into this game and try to crush the Spurs if they can." [45:25]
• General consensus: The matchup is much closer than preseason expectations.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the NBA Cup’s Purpose:
  "My biggest issue... is the propaganda around it." – James Edwards [02:43]
  "Tradition has to start at some point." – Ben [30:17]
• On Knick's Offense:
  "Not much structural difference outside of shooting more threes, but they're making so many more shots." – Dave DuFour [12:12]
  "Jalen off the ball... is one of the best shooters in the NBA." – James Edwards [14:54]
• On the Spurs’ Unique Style:
  "We're in an anti-spacing movement...life is cyclical." – Ben [33:06]
  "This team is just so unique...Wemby is like Shaq and Steph Curry had a baby." – Dave DuFour [34:03]
• On Wemby’s Impact:
  "He eliminates your margin for error... a 7-foot-5 margin for error." – Ben [34:25]
  "He's gonna wind up being better than everyone, maybe ever." – Dave DuFour [36:31]
• Cup Stakes:
  "This (Cup) is a measuring stick game for the Knicks." – Dave DuFour [18:45]
  "Can the Knicks hang with the Spurs?" – Dave DuFour [45:45]

Highlights by Timestamp

• [02:23] – Start of substantive Cup conversation, issues with perception and schedule
• [04:01, 04:34] – Proposals for season/cup restructuring
• [11:10] – Knicks’ team changes and what’s new under Mike Brown
• [17:52] – Knicks' offensive holes vs. great defenses
• [27:31] – Jared Weiss joins; defending the Cup’s existence and entertainment value
• [31:44] – Spurs' evolutionary leap, Wemby’s impact, and future trajectory
• [34:25] – Spurs' defense: Wemby's unique influence and margin for error
• [36:15] – Wemby’s superstar aura, personality shift, and leadership
• [42:05] – Steph Castle’s emergence and importance
• [44:01] – Final game predictions, keys to victory for both teams

Summary Takeaway for Non-Listeners

This episode is an in-depth, passionate preview of the NBA Cup Final, balancing skepticism and appreciation for the Cup’s legitimacy, while providing expert breakdowns on two of the league’s most exciting teams. The discussion is rich with tactical insights, big-picture stakes, and personality (especially in the hosts’ bickering and banter). If you care about how new traditions are born—and want to know why the Knicks-Spurs result will echo through the season—this recap gives you all the context, analysis, and personality of the pod, minus the ads.

Listen for:

• Honest, sometimes heated takes on the NBA Cup’s role
• Deep dives into the Knicks’ subtle evolution and Spurs’ dynamism
• The sense that, like it or not, the NBA Cup may become a real part of NBA history starting tonight