Experience (and Jalen Brunson) will benefit Mike Brown at NBA Finals

Mike Brown, who’s about to take part in his seventh NBA Finals, has talked about how his players are going to have to handle a ton of distractions that naturally come with being in the championship series.

On Monday, before the team left for San Antonio for Game 1, he was asked how comforting it is for him to have the even-keeled Jalen Brunson as his team’s leader.

“It’s great, because he’s gonna get pulled at the most,’’ Brown said. “He’s been really good at managing his time, saying yes, and making sure he says no to some things, too. Because it’s impossible for anybody, especially with the demands placed upon him, to do everything.’’

Brown was asked how his experience in going to NBA Finals will help him here.

“The one thing is, I don’t think I’ll get overwhelmed by the amount of people that are involved, not just from a media standpoint, but the NBA has all of their employees there, and your entire family’s there throughout the entire roster and organization. A lot of employees are there,’’ he said. “So just the magnitude of it — this is my seventh time now being in the Finals — it won’t be overwhelming.’’

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.