The Bounce Newsletter | This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox.So many athletes try to give off the feeling that they’re unaffected by the moment, by the results and by what’s in front of them. Maybe it’s to be cool? Maybe it’s to stay grounded and unbothered in tough situations? Regardless, I greatly appreciate how Victor Wembanyama has decided to let everybody know that outwardly caring is a good thing. It’s fun to experience things again.Finals countdownKnicks, Spurs set to duelSometimes, the superstar is just too good to be denied, no matter how little experience they may have at the NBA level. That’s what happened with Wembanyama and his San Antonio Spurs when they went into Oklahoma City on Saturday to face the Thunder in Game 7. I’ll remind you that a few years ago, when this newsletter was in its infancy, we made a dedicated effort to highlight something about Wemby every Wednesday — or Wembsday, as we were calling it.He wasn’t in the league yet, but after watching about five minutes of him play in a French League game as I tuned in to fully hate and pick him apart, I was sold on his future greatness. It wasn’t a matter of if; it was simply a matter of when. Even as sure as I’ve been that Wembanyama was going to rule the NBA someday, I never thought it would be this quick. Wembanyama’s final Game 7 line wasn’t anything too outrageous. He had 22 points (7-of-15 shooting), seven rebounds, two assists and a block in 42 minutes. He never had more than six points in a quarter. And yet, he dominated the night. On the most important possession of the season for the Thunder — down six with less than 40 seconds to go — both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace bailed out of attacking Wemby in the paint. Their season was on the line, and they decided the U-turn was the way to go.Chet Holmgren was benched with 1:23 left (more about him below), also a product of Wemby’s presence. And the Thunder didn’t know how to approach the lanky giant. Stephon Castle’s 16 points, six boards and six assists, along with Julian Champagnie’s 20 points (six made 3-pointers) and Dylan Harper’s 12 points off the bench were enough help to the Spurs complete their season-long torture of the Thunder by the Spurs’ hands.Now they head into the NBA Finals for a rematch of the 1999 series against the New York Knicks. The Knicks are coming off a week-plus resting period for the second time this postseason. The Spurs have gone through the West gauntlet, eaten a ridiculous 35-point Game 7 effort from reigning back-to-back MVP Gilgeous-Alexander and unseated the defending champs to give Adam Silver a brand new champion for the eighth straight postseason.The Knicks want to bring their first title to Madison Square Garden since 1973. They also probably need to do it now, because Wembanyama is here to dominate this league for the foreseeable future. We’ll preview this series tomorrow and Wednesday, when Game 1 tips off in San Antonio. Before we do, who do you think will win the NBA Finals?Read our megapreview of the series here.The last 24🦄 Big changes. John Hollinger has a fascinating look at how NBA big men have evolved. Once post players, now they’re all shooters.🏆 It’s back. Remember when the NBA stopped putting the trophy on the finals court? They have it again.