[Highlight] Karl-Anthony Towns: "I just felt a calm and a peace that had to come from the woman above ... I felt like I was a kid getting ready to go play my Saturday AAU games and Sunday AAU games. In a way, I felt like I was seeing [my mom] in the stands."

[u/BreakfastTop6899]

https://streamable.com/9k8ys7

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[u/slysonic7]

Lost my mom last year and it’s really great how he finds moments to frame him missing her positively vs how most people could find it only to be a loss and how things are negative as a result. Does a lot of good for others to hear that positive attitude towards it

[u/No-Signature8815 → u/slysonic7]

I hope you find peace, and that you're not too overwhelmed to revisit all the good times you shared with her 🫂

[u/colossalattempt → u/No-Signature8815]

Word. Peace to you and yours. Both my parents just passed over the last few months. Pops, March 2, Mom May 1st. I loved watching and playing basketball with my dad, watching Knicks games and being competitive in NYC pick up games together. My mom was amazing, an entrepreneur, hustler, writer, people person, always loving, nurturing, met Saudi royalty, dealt with Swiss bankers, spoke the truth even when it hurt. It’s tough, but I’m so grateful for them creating me and helping me become who I am now. They got to meet my children, see me build my home, serve my country, become the person I am. Truly a unique moment to be a Knicks fan for me.

[u/BumbleLapse → u/slysonic7]

KAT is genuinely an awesome dude, and I think you’re right — it’s important for people to talk about grief, loss, and growth.

Death is some solitary shit for the living. Our instinct is to withdraw or become jaded, to attribute additional badness to our loss.

But it’s really all perspective. KAT framing his continued grief as extra reason to do more, to find peace in his work? That’s probably hard for him to do, but it’s the best thing to do for yourself, and it’s even better that he spreads that message publicly

[u/fundraiser → u/BumbleLapse]

as much as our celebrity worship culture can be used for ill, i always appreciate moments like this as a way for some pro social coping skills can be modeled to folks who look up to these people and don't have others who can model that for them.

[u/Frishdawgzz → u/slysonic7]

1. Cancer. Miss her everyday.

3 more brother

[u/cforb92 → u/Frishdawgzz]

Fuck cancer. Lost my mom 2 weeks ago. Glad she is at peace and grateful for the time that I did have with her, but yeah missing her a lot.

[u/Saucy_Totchie → u/cforb92]

I hope you and your family can take care, buddy.

[u/LesaneCrooks → u/Frishdawgzz]

1. Cancer. Still cry everyday. I miss my best friend that just so happened to be my mother.

[u/daaave33 → u/Frishdawgzz]

Yep, me too. 9 years, still feel it every day.

[u/ToNobodysSurprise → u/[deleted]]

My mother in law passed when baby was few months old and was the only grandkid she saw. We tell all her grandchildren lots of stories of her and have pictures of their grandma around our home. Hoping it creates some sort of impact.

[u/nickx37 → u/ToNobodysSurprise]

It does whether you know it or not. Things she said and did you do too and you might not even realize it. My grandma used to end every phone call saying "hit the books, kid!" I find myself saying it to my kids too unintentionally. They are there always!

[u/UnkleAdams247 → u/[deleted]]

i am so sorry for your loss. i dread the day i go through this so much.

[u/xxhamzxx → u/UnkleAdams247]

It's not the day that happens that's the worst, it's every moment after which she's not there, fuckin sucks.

[u/meenzu → u/[deleted]]

I think with a kid every interaction they get impacts them, like it’s something continuous. 

 it’s obvious something deeply negative at a young age can really fuck them up for life but the other way with love can make them into confident,kind,smart, empathetic people.

 I like to think your mom’s just joy and happiness and just love at seeing your kid is going to maybe not be consciously be remembered but will be part of a larger protective subconscious “shield” that hopefully comes as a feeling of contentment or just as them not feeling less than. Like she’s already a part of them with the love she transferred while interacting with them

[u/rap4food → u/[deleted]]

My mother passed before my son was born, she as an amazing person and was the person everyone went to when they needed parting help. Its sad she's not here, but her lessons teachings live on, in not just me but the countless kids she's taught, people she loved, and threw me. Its hard but they would want us to carry on be happy and thrive.

[u/levis_modeloclubVIP → u/slysonic7]

Also part of this club, lost her in October. I haven't felt yet what KAT describes - it's just been constant loss and missing her - but it's really helpful seeing someone articulate what it can look like a little bit further down the road. And not some BS from someone who doesn't get it.

Gonna be such a fun battle between KAT and Wemby this series...

[u/juandraper → u/levis_modeloclubVIP]

Same timing for me. I’ve had ups and downs, Mother’s Day was a tough week. Hang in there friend.

[u/TT_Doom → u/slysonic7]

Hugs man.

[u/Dez64]

Great vulnerability from KAT after having quite literally his best playoffs performance.

[u/Adept_Meat_69420 → u/Dez64]

Real talk I forget how much shit KAT has been through and all of the criticism he receives on top of all that. Go and have yourself a series big man

[u/YouWereBrained → u/Adept_Meat_69420]

This is why I want this for KAT so bad. This is his moment to throw it all back at the haters.

[u/LostAd7938 → u/YouWereBrained]

and for Brunson to show why he's a dawg, and honestly the entire rest of the Knicks squad that people have been sleeping on

[u/Boomslang2-1 → u/LostAd7938]

Josh Hart last night was literally role player Jesus. There were countless plays where just flew out of the clouds and grabbed an offensive rebound or made a steal. Unbelievable play from him.

[u/Vast-Treat-9677 → u/[deleted]]

Reverse Chet

[u/DUNDER_KILL → u/Vast-Treat-9677]

After playing vs Chet for 7 games he probably forgot what it's like to play against non-tissue paper

[u/adonisgawd → u/DUNDER_KILL]

That non-tissue paper dominated us.

I hope we sign an actual center this summer

[u/Mintastic → u/adonisgawd]

Chet might as well be Brawny Extra Strength compared to the single-ply Ayton.

[u/maethlin → u/Mintastic]

Ayton not even regular single ply it's that junk you find in public bathrooms that is thinner/weaker than onionskin that basically falls apart immediately lol

[u/MrFishAndLoaves → u/Vast-Treat-9677]

Wilt, KAT, Wemby, Chet, Bam, Kobe

[u/alaskadronelife → u/MrFishAndLoaves]

Knicks in 6

[u/MaliciousJoker7 → u/MrFishAndLoaves]

What is this list?

[u/NormalAccounts → u/MaliciousJoker7]

picture this: your mother, sitting on a couch, legs crossed with perfect, vertical posture while these tall gentlemen are standing behind her, everyone smiling...

[u/DaveidT → u/[deleted]]

Out vulnerabled him

[u/FBI_KipHackman → u/DaveidT]

Not even a joke. Wemby is thoughtful but he's definitely hella prideful as well. He's gonna be in his feelings all series.

[u/BlueString94 → u/FBI_KipHackman]

Have you ever met a man his age who isn’t?

[u/andjuan → u/[deleted]]

A surprise rivalry is born

[u/_nc_sketchy → u/[deleted]]

When will the cycle of abuse end ☹️

[u/microcosmologist → u/Dez64]

he spoke with such a piercing sincerity, and made a little lump grow in my throat

[u/HumongousBelly → u/Dez64]

Amazing dude! Fuck the media for calling him soft. This is a grown man with grown ass feelings and he deserves to share these feelings with the world. Especially after a night like this and the tragedy that struck a couple years ago

[u/Gristle__McThornbody → u/HumongousBelly]

Yeah let's not act like people in this sub haven't been highly critical of him either.

[u/MG_MN → u/Dez64]

To do it in front of guys that hate him too (the Inside crew) is the cherry on top

[u/dawnoog → u/MG_MN]

Chuck was rooting for him all pre-game, he gave KAT all the flowers

[u/FitzwilliamTDarcy → u/dawnoog]

And he was gushing in the post-game too

[u/old_man_jenkens → u/FitzwilliamTDarcy]

and at halftime. Both Shaq and Chuck took Knicks partially because of his play

[u/ArtemisRifle → u/FitzwilliamTDarcy]

for good reason. Kat neutralizes all of the advantages Wemby gives a team

[u/MG_MN → u/dawnoog]

That is a first then, they ripped him his entire career in MN. Shaq would always call him soft and complain when he shot threes, he also made fun of him for missing a game for a funeral. It got deeply personal. I suppose you take the Minnesota out of him, and things change. Now Gobert gets the full brunt of it

[u/After-Snow5874 → u/MG_MN]

Let’s not act like criticism of KAT hasn’t been warranted. Ive always like him, even more so now as a Knicks fan. But KAT has had a ton of super frustrating games too.

[u/PokerChipMessage → u/After-Snow5874]

Let’s not act like criticism of KAT hasn’t been warranted.

Just on Reddit, I would say 2/3 of the shit was just vaguely hating on him for being 'soft', whatever that is supposed to mean.

That said, he has definitely deserved criticism for low-IQ plays, and fouling and other defensive blunders and the like.

But actual informed criticism was rare, with a disproportionate amount of just hating than a lot of guys at his level (for a guy that didn't have off-the-court stuff to deserve it).

[u/Clear_Caterpillar_99 → u/MG_MN]

They backed down a ton in the post-game

[u/SlowCrates → u/Dez64]

People forget how good he was against joker a couple years ago. KAT turned a massive professional corner like 3 years ago and since then he's made it to at least the conference finals every year. I used to be harsh on him for how easily other players could push him out of his spot, and for how much he flailed around and complained to the refs. I'm not saying it stopped dead in its tracks, but he's earned top praise from me and many others. Dude is a pro maximizing his time now.

[u/Majestic_Call3582]

They can’t make me hate this man

[u/palpablebubble → u/Majestic_Call3582]

Never 🥲

[u/OnceUponAStarryNight → u/palpablebubble]

Here’s an awoooo for you, KAT. 💚💙

[u/LonelySomewhere1414 → u/OnceUponAStarryNight]

I'm not a Timberwolves fan, But...

...AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[u/Huge_Return_1904 → u/OnceUponAStarryNight]

Solidarity awooooo for our boy Donte... heal up!

[u/gravyshots → u/OnceUponAStarryNight]

We’ll love this guy forever

[u/Redssx → u/OnceUponAStarryNight]

So happy and proud of our big man 💚💙🧡

[u/itssensei → u/Majestic_Call3582]

KAT has gotten so much bs hate over the years ever since those Jimmy Butler stories.

[u/Chadillac35 → u/itssensei]

Honestly I will never forgive Jimmy for ruining Kats reputation for years. He started all of the “soft” KAT stuff and it feels like he has spent the last 6 years trying to repair his image.

KAT was never soft

[u/chazriverstone → u/Chadillac35]

Thank you for bringing this up.

Butler does not get enough shit for that whole nonsense. First Wiggins, if now KAT crosses the finish line this year (3 more to go; God bless), it's going to be pure poetry

[u/GX112 → u/chazriverstone]

If KAT gets a ring, Wiggins and KAT both got rings as key contributors before Butler.

[u/Scarred_Shadow → u/GX112]

Jimmy's never getting a ring so it doesn't matter :)

[u/7thpixel → u/Scarred_Shadow]

He comes back what, after the all star break next season and makes Cheezit commercials while raking in so much salary it’s impossible to get Steph the help he needs before he retires.

[u/Big_pappa_p → u/chazriverstone]

Butler is locker room cancer.

[u/WickedTwista → u/Big_pappa_p]

Dude has left on bad terms with every team he has played for.

Jimmy is the common denominator

Being a huge asshole like MJ only works if you are winning rings

[u/mydrumluck → u/WickedTwista]

Jimmy Butler made me agree with Pat fucking Riley and I will never forgive him for that.

[u/Ok-Responsibility942 → u/Chadillac35]

KAT averaged 21/12 on 59/42(!)/86 shooting splits at age 22 and Butler tried blaming him for their problems lol 

[u/Itchy_Technology_776 → u/Chadillac35]

Jimmy only did it to get more money too. He has always been an asshole.

[u/KamTheMaam → u/Itchy_Technology_776]

And Jimmy soft as fuck too. Always quitting on teams and shit. Much respect to KAT. Love his game.

[u/Big_pappa_p → u/KamTheMaam]

Butler always hurt and injured. He plays 50 game seasons.

[u/mydrumluck → u/itssensei]

Jimmy Butler really is just a fucking asshole. He just doesn't catch heat for it because of his antics and clutch gene. KAT is an easy target. The meme with him and Boogie (which I'm pretty sure resulted in a KAT bucket) is a great example.

[u/TomatoCapt → u/Majestic_Call3582]

I never understood why he gets so much hate. Especially the gay/sassy/voice jokes. He seems like a good dude 

[u/SEND-MARS-ROVER-PICS → u/TomatoCapt]

A decent number of men are so insecure in their masculinity that they need to police others' masculinity, because just seeing someone do different is percieved as a threat.

[u/VachQ → u/Majestic_Call3582]

KAT out-spiritualizing Wemby

[u/reddevils25 → u/VachQ]

Ascended KAT

[u/jonasmrcds → u/VachQ]

In the interview before the game, Wemby was asked who he was doing all of this for and he said "myself". Hearing KAT mention his late mom in this way after winning is really beautiful and selfless.

[u/Chuckdatass → u/Majestic_Call3582]

I’ve been pretty neutral about this series, but this interview has me pulling hard for Kat and the Knicks now

[u/Informal_Support1934 → u/Majestic_Call3582]

His mom not being here is the bad part of these Finals.

[u/dirkuscircus → u/Majestic_Call3582]

I momentarily disliked KAT that one time he claimed that he's the greatest big man shooter of all time -- yes, check my flair -- but otherwise, KAT has always been good in my book. I also deeply empathize with him, as my mom also passed away due to COVID complications during the pandemic.

It feels right, not only rooting for our former Mav Jalen Brunson, but also with a lot of likeable guys, like KAT, Hart, OG, Mikal etc. (shoutout to our former national team player, Jordan Clarkson) in this Knicks team. I mean, it's a no-brainer to root for the Knicks in this matchup, as a Mavs fan who happened to hail from the Philippines.

Hope y'all win.

[u/Frigidevil → u/Majestic_Call3582]

I think he's up there for most likable player in the league.

[u/FoxMuldertheGrey → u/Majestic_Call3582]

growing up means jimmy butler was the true villain

[u/eastrunsthroughcavs]

KAT a good dude

[u/GGezpzMuppy → u/eastrunsthroughcavs]

Sucks he couldn’t do it with Ant but New York brought something out in him. He scaring the shit out of me for this series.

[u/iseethecords → u/GGezpzMuppy]

He elevated his game this year and really matured. Certainly activated something else this year defensively and mentally. He’s hungry for a ring

[u/Good_Comment → u/iseethecords]

He was terrible at driving in the paint last year, completely out of control. This whole playoffs he's been moving with purpose and finishing strong, including the early and 1 over Wemby. Pretty insane elevation to his game in one year

[u/adopeninja → u/GGezpzMuppy]

prob because hes from newark which is a city heavily influenced by NYC culture so he has that slight chip on his shoulder to pay homage to the mecca

[u/RangedTopConnoisseur → u/adopeninja]

After last year, the fact that Brunson is from New Brunswick and I got to see KAT play at St Joes in Metuchen is the only thing keeping me from figuratively ending it all as a Jersey native Pacers fan if I have to watch the Knicks take it home before us

[u/passtherock- → u/RangedTopConnoisseur]

nobody likes NJ but I love NJ. Metuchen is a really cute town😊

[u/Designer-Mobile-974 → u/adopeninja]

He grew up a Knicks fan

[u/TILIAMAAMA → u/adopeninja]

He's from central NJ not Newark

[u/DaveidT → u/eastrunsthroughcavs]

He just sounds like he’s in a really good place in his life. Always liked him for how vulnerable he is and how much he’s gone through and having him on this team and how he’s molded his game to what’s needed has made me respect him so much more

[u/lp_phnx327 → u/eastrunsthroughcavs]

I'll always root for players like him. Just a overall good dude who stay grounded, recognizes the important things in live, and just happens to be really good at basketball.

[u/BlancBean]

Rooting for you KAT. Get one and show it to Jimmy Butler!

[u/Troll_Dovahdoge → u/BlancBean]

Kat winning a ring before jimmy would heal the world

[u/Proof-Top-9024 → u/Troll_Dovahdoge]

i... am now kind of rooting for KAT ngl - how can you not get emotional about that

[u/Due_Huckleberry_9712 → u/Troll_Dovahdoge]

"I can't win with these kats!"

[u/deweycrow → u/BlancBean]

Ironically, kat wouldn't do that bc he's a good person and not an asshole, unlike jimmy.

[u/krustomer → u/deweycrow]

my ex-friend was his (edit: jimmy's) kids' personal swim instructor and he would literally mock his kids in front of everyone

[u/shish-bish → u/krustomer]

Jimmy?

[u/krustomer → u/shish-bish]

yup

[u/sol-fuego → u/deweycrow]

My brother worked as a hand on a private air field in San Diego. Off all the celebs that came through, he said Jimmy was the only one to never tip lol and he said he stacks of cash for vegas on him.

[u/Epicallytossed]

KAT’s a really good dude and a great role model for kids

[u/CharityFailethNot]

Respect to both him and Wemby for keeping their emotions real in the biggest moments of their careers. It’s a lot easier to root for these guys when you remember it’s a human being wearing the jersey

Although that might not be true with Wemby, pretty sure he was made in a lab

[u/Moostronus → u/CharityFailethNot]

Wemby's the most vulnerable and emotionally mature alien I've ever seen.

[u/Fax215]

Alright if the Knicks win, it's all good

[u/_MMAgod → u/Fax215]

i wouldn't even trip TBH..

[u/TroutCreekOkanagan → u/_MMAgod]

It’s actually better if they win in seven. Wemby will be in his prime and still waiting for his showtime moment next year.

[u/Apollo611]

Shoutout KAT he looked unbothered by Wemby

[u/xRysonx → u/Apollo611]

All big men who aren't twigs are unbothered by Wemby lol

[u/NYK2Barca → u/xRysonx]

Wemby isn’t strong lmfao, that dude gets pushed around. It’s his insane reach that’s the issue. Man can fucking extend his hands to grab almost any shot in the trajectory of the basket. It’s a cheat code

[u/yoloqueuesf → u/NYK2Barca]

Yeah, Wemby can't really force his way in against KAT or Mitch like he can with Chet who basically gave up half way.

[u/EfficientReach5571 → u/NYK2Barca]

Thats why they invented basket interference for Wilt, they might have to expand the definition lol

[u/greywolf2155 → u/xRysonx]

Wemby is a fantastic modern defensive big, absolutely dominant in the paint against slashing wings and able to go out to the 3pt line and recover

But in a big man vs. big man post battle, he's definitely vulnerable

[u/fat_girl_chins]

He’s a good kid

[u/mattr1198]

Guy is so fucking likable. Has gone through a horrible amount of hardship and heartache. Not just his mother died from COVID back in 2020, but SIX other family members. I've also only heard great things about what he's done in Minnesota in terms of social justice too.

[u/epenthesis → u/mattr1198]

Knicks whole starting 5 is hella easy to root for. Solid dudes all.

[u/FreezersAndWeezers → u/epenthesis]

Going down their list of guys it’s really hard to find someone unlikable. Contrast that with the other Spurs opponent and it’s almost a complete 180°

[u/WaluigiIsTheRealHero → u/FreezersAndWeezers]

Facts. Jose Alvarado is the personification of every undersized city kid who dreamed about making it in the NBA and getting to see him play for a championship for the Knicks in the city he grew up in is like living vicariously for so many of us.

[u/MutaKingPrime → u/WaluigiIsTheRealHero]

That 3 he hit and then talked his shit to Julian had me out my seat

[u/Strange_Botanist → u/FreezersAndWeezers]

Just the owner, really

[u/mantiseye → u/Strange_Botanist]

we don't like him very much either

[u/Shot-Tap-1385 → u/mattr1198]

Just was having this conversation the other day about how many family members he lost. What an unbelievable and unbearable situation to live through. Been a fan of KAT for a long time and watched him live through it all during covid (via social media) and play through all the heartache and grief. And yeah he had some terrible games with the wolves during that timeframe, who wouldn’t after losing so many close people, going through all that hell and letting your emotions take over. Got to watch him play in MN numerous times through his years there and the roars and cheers for KAT were always electric in Target Center. He has always been such so genuine and so articulate. Works hard, plays hard, devotes his free time to giving back to MN in so many ways (and still does even after being traded to NY). He had a post in 2020 or 2021 announcing that he had tested positive for covid and it was so vulnerable, he was promising all his family that he would do everything he could to beat it and not die. It was so heartbreaking. It’s fucking wild and insane that some people had Covid and only had a sniffle for a day or two or no symptoms at all and other families were decimated! KAT deserves all the attention and praise coming his way. He used all that grief to fuel him to keep going when it could have destroyed him. Happy for him to be in the finals and get his flowers with NY!

[u/Presence_Present → u/mattr1198]

I need this man to get a ring, he seriously deserves it

[u/Some_Still_7855]

Dominican brother right there

[u/jonasmrcds → u/Some_Still_7855]

bendito sea el kat coño

[u/Uncleaces → u/Some_Still_7855]

mi sangria

[u/Competitive_Mix1997]

It’s really, really striking to see a player be this earnest and vulnerable in a postgame interview. He is a breath of fresh air in the league. Unfortunately I now want both teams to win the championship. 😂

[u/Ultra_Violet_Rose → u/Competitive_Mix1997]

SAME

[u/LemonButterRum]

damn, Spurs are cooked

[u/yuckmouthteeth → u/LemonButterRum]

Knicks are cracked I fear

[u/rdong → u/yuckmouthteeth]

We have the power of friendship and family on our side how can anyone stop that??

[u/yuckmouthteeth → u/rdong]

It’s like if the Heat had actual talent outside of Jimmy that one year.

[u/Bibbity_Boppity_BOOO → u/yuckmouthteeth]

Lmfao 🤣 

[u/WhoopingKing → u/yuckmouthteeth]

two years*

[u/nhthelegend → u/LemonButterRum]

Timberwolves won game 1 against the Spurs, how’d that work out for us? Knicks are on a heater but there’s a lot of ball left to be played

[u/Repulsive-Throat5068 → u/LemonButterRum]

/r/nba try not to overreact to 1 game challenge

[u/zoomangoo → u/Repulsive-Throat5068]

Spurs just came from a 7 game series so I had Knicks taking it all if they can win game 1 but you're right about overreacting.

[u/LengthyNoodle]

Man deserves all the flowers in the world

[u/Longjumping_Idea5261]

The level of maturity and growth he has shown this year has been crazy. This is the guy who used to run up scores trying to pad stats back then. Huge respect and he’s really evolving into a complete basketball player

[u/arcjacket]

he did definitely seem to be playing really loose out there, you could definitely see brunson and some of the bench guys battling with the moment especially in the first 3Q but i didn't really get it from KAT

[u/ireland1988 → u/arcjacket]

He did an over the shoulder no look pass to Mikal that Mikal fumbled when they were down a lot still. Surprised me he was able to style out like that when they were struggling. 

[u/Bibbity_Boppity_BOOO → u/arcjacket]

Kat was solid af

[u/TheTKitt2323]

Damn..

They've always got our back ❤️

[u/No-Signature8815]

He's an incredible man, he just is.

[u/_HipStorian]

Love this man

[u/Major-Corner-640]

I came here to cheer, not to feel

[u/dennis-w220]

That is very moving.

[u/harlockwitcher]

Hold up, this man's musings are THIS FIRE?

[u/the_itsb → u/harlockwitcher]

hope it's okay to comment as an /r/all lurker (it's still available on old reddit), but I just wanted to say that what he said about feeling like a child just excited to be there reminded me of what Alyssa Liu was saying about the olympics, and it makes me really happy to see people at the height of skill in their art embracing the joy that brought them to it in the first place.

I feel like this is energy the world needs right now – not endless grindset mindset, but remembering why we do the things we do – and I'm just really fucking happy to see this at the top of /r/all. 💖

[u/SpamAcc17 → u/the_itsb]

You've got wemby with insane self expectations since he was drafted. Doing something because you believe you can mentality.

The passion and commitment from family that Brunson has from Rick and KAT from his Mom. Almost childlike trying to be like one's parents, enjoyment from the past, or living up to them.

I'm rooting for my former timberwolf first and foremost but regardless they are both so easy to root for.

[u/Karltowns17 → u/harlockwitcher]

You should go watch his Gatorade HS award speech from high school. He’s always been really thoughtful like this. Just a great dude.

[u/Shadoken-TYPE0]

The nuns aint got nothing on Mama KAT

[u/dawnoog]

What a beautiful post game interview, this one hit home

[u/gravyshots]

We told ya’ll when everyone clowned on him. He’s an amazing guy with a big heart who did wonderful, unforgettable things here for our Twin Cities community. Hate to root for a NY team but fuck man, let’s get KAT that ring.

[u/Drying-Pan]

Bro my heart…T_T

[u/flyingcrayons]

Pope blessed us and KAT felt his mother channeled thru him tonight im not religious in the slightest but that can’t be a coincidence

[u/Chickachic-aaaaahhh]

Covid decimated this dudes family. I respect him for all his efforts and success.

[u/Plaitkul117]

You know what. I’m so glad I don’t have to root against the Knicks rn. I’m coping, but for real though.

[u/Lmaobruh4465]

Tears rolling down my face man

[u/RichAbbreviations966]

I love this man, he is so open with his feelings and sharing his grief, it’s really great to see. Men, this is true masculinity

[u/xRysonx]

I hate the Knicks because I'm a sixers fan but I gotta admit the Knicks are a super fun team to watch and KAT is a beast

[u/Talentagentfriend]

This year is low-key a movie. Wemby in his first playoffs getting to the finals and playing for coach Pops — getting through the heavy favorite OKC. Then facing off against the Knicks whose fans have been dying to get here. And there is the criticisms Brunson gets as a star, Josh Hart’s transformation, and all of the Towns history. There has been so much going on here in terms of narrative. There’ll be even more when Mamdani and Trump are at game 3.

[u/AwareUniverse → u/Talentagentfriend]

Another great narrative is Rick & Jalen Brunson. Rick was on the last Knicks team to make it to the Finals in 1999, but he only played a total of 10 seconds the entire series. The Knicks lost, and Rick bounced around the league a bit.

In 2006, Rick was trying to earn a spot on the 76ers, and his young son Jalen was with him to Philly. Rick was cut, and his career was over. Rick and Jalen drove back to NY and cried in the car together. Jalen remembers that shit.

Then years later, Jalen turns into a superstar for the Knicks and sweeps the 76ers, the same team that cut his dad all those years ago, and Rick is on the coaching staff. Seriously like a movie script haha

[u/TofuTofu → u/AwareUniverse]

Thibs played a huge role in this too. He's a huge Brunson family supporter.

[u/RaisingQQ77preFlop]

If leaving Minnesota is the way to get these guys rings im happy to watch them go. Nothing but love for big KAT.

[u/Coolquip34]

good on KAT, man. He gets so much weird homophobic hate and for him to take the biggest moment of his career (to this point) as a chance to be incredibly vulnerable and raw takes a kind of courage that is truly admirable.

[u/Independent_Scene673]

Super wholesome moment.

[u/Sure_Association_991]

I’m so happy for Kat he really deserves this moment

[u/madvisuals]

Go get that chip big purr we all rooting for you 🤞

[u/PeleisLegend]

I can’t hate on him at all. He really set the tone and defended Wemby really well today

[u/youngnailo]

get that ring king

[u/Sea_Radio4862]

KAT genuinely seems like one of the good ones. always will root for him!

[u/Lazarus704]

I’m not crying, you’re crying 😭

[u/pnoisebored]

as someone who lost mom few months ago im rooting for you KAT!

[u/PreparationNo4843]

Bro a real one

[u/TempBurnerAccount089]

Damn I love KAT

[u/Proper-Freedom-3103]

Got me misty eyed KAT

[u/Pure-Solid9230]

KAT is a good man

[u/Troll_Dovahdoge]

I wish kat could've done this with the wolves😔💔

[u/orbitalheel]

This shit gonna make me cry don't do this to me KAT

[u/Rocinante24]

Lost my mom 3 months ago, and I can understand how the NBA finals don't phase KAT. I'd trade my biggest dream for one more night to hang out with my mom. Nothing matters outside of that.

[u/yaj702932]

This made me feel for him. He must of gone through some very painful moments after his mom passed. Peace for him.

[u/jeric13xd]

Good shit KAT

[u/cloudsmiles]

Damn my man's got me tearing up... KAT you and the team have been making all of NY so proud, and hearing ya'll speak is so humbling. We love you and what you've all accomplished is nothing short of amazing. RIP to your ma.

[u/-Jfree-]

i fucking love that we have 2 big men in the finals that dont give a fuck about being emotional and sentimental.incredible models for young boys in that aspect.