Knicks long wait is over the NBA Finals are finally here

SAN ANTONIO — It’s real now.The time for talk is over.The flashbacks to the Knicks’ last NBA Finals appearance in 1999 and their last championship in 1973 don’t mean much anymore.

The praise of their overpowering 11-game winning streak will soon become moot.Tuesday’s Media Day at the Frost Bank Center felt like the official start of the Finals.Once it started, all of that other stuff moved to the periphery.

All focus turned to Wednesday’s Game 1.“For my career, I’ve only been able to see that Finals logo on TV,” Karl-Anthony Towns said.

“So it means a lot to be the person that sees the logo on their jersey and has this opportunity.The word ‘grateful’ is all I can say.

I’m grateful for the opportunity.I’m grateful for the team I have here and the brothers I have, and honored to be wearing this jersey.”The Knicks on Tuesday got their first taste of everything that is different during the Finals.

There were extra media obligations and swarms of reporters everywhere they turned.Their practice was viewed by more people and for a longer period of time than any of their practices all year, besides the ones before the NBA Cup semifinal and final.

Their schedule was dictated by the NBA, not by themselves.They were asked silly questions by social media personalities looking to go viral.

Guillermo from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was lurking and attempting to get funny clips.There is nothing normal about the NBA Finals experience.It is different from pretty much everything players and coaches become used to in the regular season and across the first three rounds of the playoffs.“I feel like everything leading up to Game 1 is going to be definitely heightened just because of everything that goes on around it,” Jalen Brunson said.

“I think most importantly, when you can prepare the right way, when you do your routines, when you treat it like a normal game, it allows you to be as normal as possible.“For me, just trying to make sure I’m...