Knicks’ Jalen Brunson gets chance to slay 76ers’ Joel Embiid in David vs. Goliath playoff showdown

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground … — 1 Samuel 17:48-49

We start the column thusly for three reasons:

1. As proof that 16 years’ tuition for Catholic schooling was not spent in vain.

2. That the Knicks — despite the early word out of Vegas that has them as slight betting ’dogs in their Eastern Conference first-round series against the 76ers — will show up anyway with their bags and their stones and their slingshots.

3. To remind that it is Jalen Brunson who will sling these stones and aim them at the Philadelphian Philistine, Joel Embiid, which surely gives them a puncher’s chance.

Or at least a slinger’s stake.