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Former NBA veteran forward Danilo Gallinari shared thoughts regarding the NBA Finals matchup between his former team New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

Gallinari discussed New York’s development over the years offensively, but their defensive adjustments especially in the playoffs earned the edge against the other teams.

“The Knicks were able to get better during the season. They were not playing at this level at the beginning or at the mid-season. They were able to fix a couple of things and play very well. They have very good defensive players everywhere. And so, we always say that offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. And so, defense is always the key. All right,” Gallinari told TalkBasket.net.

The Italian forward said that Karl-Anthony Towns plays a high role in the series, who could shoot from distance and stop Victor Wembanyama by keeping him out of the paint. 

“I think Towns is playing at a very high level defensively and offensively. The chemistry is great. And so, I think he’s just going to have to keep doing what he’s doing. Offensively, of course, it’s going to be very important for him to shoot the three, the three ball at the high clip because that is going to mean that Wembanyama will have to, I don’t know when he’s going to guard, but the more you try to keep Wemby out of the paint, I think it’s better,” he said.

While Jalen Brunson leading the charge, Gallinari applauded the floor general’s confidence and leadership that brought New York back to the championship stage.

“I think with his confidence, Brunson knows that when the game is on the line, the ball is going to be in his hands and there is a good chance that he’s going to score or make the right play. He’s been in these kinds of moments for some years, especially to do it in New York and be an All-Star in New York. There’s a lot of responsibility, but he’s been doing a great job. And so, his confidence, it’s an old-time high,” Gallinari explained.

Aside from Towns and Brunson, the former Clippers forward believed that Landry Shamet is the X-factor of the series due to its energy, physicality and shooting.

“I think, you know, I always talk about Landry Shamet. He was my rookie with the

Clippers when we were together in LA and I’ve always been a big fan of Landry.

And so, he was a factor in the last series and I think that with his energy, his three-point shooting,his physicality, I think is going to be very important.”

Gallinari was drafted by the Knicks with sixth overall pick in 2008, and officially retired last December after a 20-year professional career spanning the NBA and Europe.

Prime Video’s exclusive live coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs tips off on 4^th June at 1.30am in the United Kingdom and Ireland.