Michael Wilbon calls Cavs-Knicks ‘junior varsity’ compared to Spurs-Thunder

ESPN’s Michael Wilbon heard all the hype around the upcoming Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and Knicks.

He’s not exactly buying it. Not after what the basketball world witnessed Monday night.

Following the instant-classic double-overtime thriller between the Spurs and Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, Wilbon made it pretty clear Tuesday morning on Get Up where he believes the NBA’s real heavyweight matchup lives.

“Nothing that we see here in this series in the Eastern Conference is going to approach last night,” Wilbon said, via Awful Announcing. “Nothing. OK? This is the junior varsity series.”

Subtle as always.

Wilbon admitted the Knicks or Cavs could still potentially survive the East and win the championship, especially if the Spurs and Thunder wear each other down in what he compared to “Ali-Frazier in Manila.”

But in terms of overall basketball quality, intensity and star power? He doesn’t think the East matchup compares.

And honestly, after watching Victor Wembanyama go nuclear Monday night, a lot of fans probably agree.

That doesn’t mean Knicks-Cavs can’t deliver drama of its own.

Oddsmakers still view Oklahoma City and San Antonio as the clear title favorites, but Cleveland and New York have both survived bruising playoff paths already. And if there’s one thing these playoffs have consistently proven, it’s that predictions tend to age badly pretty fast.

There’s also this: Tony Kornheiser recently complained that the playoffs lacked drama before Spurs-Thunder immediately turned into an all-time classic.

So by that logic? Knicks-Cavs may now be destined to become the greatest series in NBA history.