I'm so happy (all of Argentina is) for Ginobili to achieve this at this point in his career and be playing at this level and making this gold dunk (damn!) and making his mark on the Final game and being part of one of the best teams, dinasty, and big three of all time. That being said, this Spurs have played some of the best basketball of all time. And is a ********ing TEAM! Every single guy made his contribution and it'd be an injustice to not mention even the guys that played 3' per match: Duncan, Tony, Manu, Leonard, Diaw, Green, Mills, Splitter, Belinelli were all at such high level and concentration... They really were on a mission.
Shaq never had competition in his prime. He was so big, no one could stop him. Yao came the closest but got too injured. For me, Shaq in Orlando was the last time Shaq played like a traditional center. We all remember Dream vs the Admiral or Dream vs Ewing. Those were games with Big Men. Shaq was battling an old Vlade, Geiger, and Brad Miller in his prime.
Congrats to the Spurs and their fans, they definately deserved it. That said, Heat were gassed out. Besides Lebron, everyone else looked atleast 5 years older out there. This could really be the end of the Miami 3. I'm not trying to take away from the Spurs, just a thing I noticed. Leonard is something special and today's MVP just proves it. I think SAS future is in great hands, with Kawahi leading the way.
The fact that the Spurs had more left in the tank is the reward for the way Pop managed their minutes all season long. You cannot see this as an unfair advantage, since nothing stopped Spo from doing the same.
At the end of the day though, making four straight finals is just draining and I don't think Pop could manage if his team were in the same situation.
Well the Spurs are coming off two straight finals and a Western conference finals. So it's not like they have had short seasons.
I agree, but let's go ahead and assume the Spurs are coming off of three straight finals appearances, did the Heat look gassed during their 3rd title run? If anything, I believe they looked to do more minutes managing this season than previous years.
It's not just about the games. It's also about the mental fatigue. Playing in two Finals is easier than playing in four and it clearly showed tonight. Miami were just exhausted. But I'm not trying to take anything away from the Spurs. They were clearly the more deserving team.
What a great night. Lebron 2-3 (should be 1-4) and team basketball wins over iso bullshit! Congrats to timmy d and patker and ginobilli....wonder if its their last? Leonard is a quality player too, such a humble guy
Well it is a bit harsh to blame 2007 on LeBron. Check out that roster and marvel at the fact that LeBron dragged them all the way to the finals at the age of 22.
Not sure that's true. His prime was relatively short, but didnt he three peat vs Duncan and Robinson? I guess Robinson was older and Duncan was younger but those two weren't brad Miller.
Yeah, if I remember correctly the Spurs got swept in 1 series and then lost 4-1 in the other. Duncan dominated at PF and Shaq was bruising an old Robinson. The point I was trying to make was that Shaq never had a true rival or competitor when he was at his peak.
With noah and gibson, that is some protection. Butlter can play the 2 and if rose ever gets healthy u have a quality starting 5