The performance of Brunson in the first game of the Finals reminded me of Kobe Bryant.

After 27 years, the NBA Finals once again present the ultimate stage of Spurs vs. Knicks.

In Game 1, the Knicks came back from behind to defeat the Spurs 105-95 on the road, securing a series-opening victory.

The game was filled with dramatic shifts, rapid transitions between offense and defense, and the true intensity of a Finals battle.

The Knicks have now won 12 consecutive playoff games.

Brunson: 30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Towns: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists; Anunoby: 17 points, 3 rebounds; Shamet: 13 points, 1 rebound; Bridges: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals.

Wembanyama: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks; Castle: 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists; Champagnie: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist; Harper: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist; Vassell: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists.

Yesterday we talked about the big man, but today the main focus is still on him.

The core idea is already in the title.

He suffered injuries to his right knee and left ankle in the first half, played 37 minutes, made 12 of 31 shots, 2 of 9 from three, and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, scoring a team-high 30 points along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

In the fourth quarter, he scored 8 consecutive points.

A crucial corner three-pointer and an extremely difficult mid-range shot helped the Knicks seal the win.

In our basketball culture, coaches always emphasize so-called team basketball.

But why is the NBA so exciting?

Shouldn't the leader be like Brunson? As the team's star, he believes he must be the one to take the shot, even if it means dying with the ball in his hands.

This is a manifestation of the Mamba mentality.

Objectively speaking, the Spurs' defense against him was quite effective, especially Castle's relentless pressure.

But in clutch moments, the big guy did what a leader should do.

In the playoffs, high-stakes games always reveal the true nature of different stars.

During the game, one particular look in Brunson's eyes left a deep impression on me.

Many players deserve praise for the Knicks' win today, such as Towns, whose value as a tactical pivot and low-post threat was evident.

Hart's rebounding, Shamet's shooting...

For the Spurs in Game 1, Wembanyama didn't play well, Fox was off, and the team's second-half shooting was poor...

Even Di Ge's favorite player performed well—anyone watching the game could see it.

Plus, this is just the first game of the series; winners shouldn't pop champagne early, as it's still a long series.

That said, let me share a little story.

Brunson's mother and Kobe's sister, Sharia, were teammates and roommates on the Temple University volleyball team. His father, Rick Brunson, also knew Kobe and had faced him on the court.

On Christmas Eve 2014, the Lakers played the Bulls on the road, and Kobe was sidelined due to injury.

At the time, Brunson was a junior at Stevenson High School in Illinois. He went with his mother to watch the game at the United Center. After the game, he happened to run into Kobe in the player tunnel.

During their conversation, Kobe said something that would shape Brunson's life:

"If you don't want to be the best, why even bother trying?"

Today, the big guy was fighting while wearing Kobe's sneakers.

That sense of power deeply moved me.

A player who wants to achieve greatness must forget the pain on the court.

A leader who wants to lift the ultimate crown must step up in clutch moments.

In Game 1, Brunson did exactly that.

Now it's up to Wembanyama to adjust and respond.