Following their stunning Game 7 victor over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs' attention now turns to the New York Knicks. The Knicks are red-hot entering the NBA Finals. Nevertheless, the Spurs have home-court advantage and have three full days of rest prior to Game 1.
That gives San Antonio a chance to get off to a strong start, and they'll need their X-factor Devin Vassell to do so. Vassell had a terrific series against the Thunder, averaging 13.9 points and drilling 39.6% of his 7.5 3-point attempts per game. That is in addition to playing terrific defense.
They need him to be equally as good against the Knicks. While the play of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper is crucial to the Spurs' championship hopes, Vassell's impact can't be understated.
The Spurs need Devin Vassell to come out firing in Game 1 vs. Knicks
What makes Vassell such a useful player for the Spurs is his scoring. He is a versatile shooter, capable of nailing spot-up threes, hitting pull-ups, or shooting off of screens. He isn't your typical catch-and-shoot role player.
Vassell is also a notorious tough-shot maker, though he has done a much better job of getting shots in the flow of the offense. Still, having a role player who can both take what the defense gives him and also create shots for himself is a major plus.
Especially with the Knicks focusing all of their attention on Wembanyama and, to a lesser extent, Castle and Fox. That means that Vassell could have a big series, with his offense helping to overwhelm the Knicks.
Devin Vassell is the Spurs' secret weapon in the NBA Finals
For the Spurs to ensure an NBA Finals victory, they will have to get out to a strong start. That means a Game 1 win against the Knicks. It goes without saying that role players tend to play better at home, and San Antonio needs Vassell to do just that.
If he can continue to knock down shots like he did against the Thunder, then he could be a major problem for the Knicks. New York will no doubt send everything but the kitchen sink at Wembanyama.
So San Antonio will need their role players to step up. Vassell is this team's most reliable role player, so him being ready to torch the Knicks will be key to the Silver and Black raising their sixth championship banner.
