Devin Vassell of the Devin Vassell set the tone ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, stating, “To be here is a blessing, but we’re not satisfied. We’re here to win it all.”
The Spurs guard, speaking on Tuesday, June 2, reflected on the team’s journey through the postseason and the mindset that carried them to this stage. “Just being here, being through the process, not skipping any steps. It’s definitely been a long process and I’m definitely grateful to be in this room, to be in this position.”
San Antonio’s path included a hard-fought seven-game Western Conference Finals win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Vassell made it clear the focus shifted quickly. “We didn’t get here to say we’re the Western Conference Final Champions. We want to sit here and say we’re the NBA champions. We won the finals. So, it was great while it lasted, but we’re ready for the next chapter.”
The transition from celebration to preparation came almost immediately after the series. “I think next day, honestly,” he said, emphasizing how quickly the group moved on from the emotional win.
The Spurs now face a Knicks team led by Jalen Brunson, a matchup Vassell expects to be highly competitive. He referenced earlier meetings between the teams this season, saying, “We feel like the Knicks have played us really well this year and we went into their house and they beat us. They beat us in the NBA Cup tournament. They beat us last year on Christmas. So, we feel like we got to get some get back because they’ve been successful against us.”
San Antonio’s locker room identity has remained steady through highs and lows. Vassell credited internal stability and leadership for the group’s cohesion. “We always just knew to keep our heads and that the tide would turn as long as we’re doing the right things and putting in the right work, staying together. And eventually it did.”
He also addressed the growing attention surrounding the Finals stage and external distractions. “We don’t want to look to the outside and worry about the media, worry about what everything else is going on,” Vassell said. “We got to keep the main thing the main thing and focus on winning four games.”
Experience concerns have followed the Spurs throughout the playoffs, but Vassell dismissed the narrative. “We’re just trying to block out all the noise. We’ve heard it all year and this and that, but I mean, we’re here now, so there’s really nothing else for us to say or talk about or to overthink.”
On the challenge of guarding Brunson, Vassell acknowledged the task ahead. “Very, very talented player. Knows how to get to his spots. Just got to be super disciplined with him.”
As the Finals begin, San Antonio’s second-longest tenured player remains focused on execution and growth. “I think we can be just a whole lot better and that’s an exciting thing to say,” he added, pointing to the team’s belief that its peak performance may still be ahead.
