What happened: Ahead of Game 1, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins shared his read on Jalen Brunson, declaring "the stage is set, and he's ready to dance." The comments came on ESPN's NBA coverage as the New York Knicks prepared for their Finals opener.

Why it matters: Brunson is the engine of the Knicks team back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, so an analyst spotlight on his readiness reflects how central his play is to New York's title hopes. How he handles the Game 1 stage sets the tone for the series.

What to watch: Watch whether Brunson lives up to Perkins' billing when the Knicks tip off Game 1 on ESPN.