Nathan89
10-11-2011, 03:44 PM
Only 12 years later and NBA is facing the possibility of having another shortened season. We already have people declaring that this year's champions should have a asterisk next to it. The same talk that plagued the Spurs a little over a decade ago for no good reason.
There isn't a asterisk anywhere on the Spurs 1999 championship trophy and there isn't one in the record books either. The man who was created by MJ, who went on to create Kobe wants to believe there is an asterisk on the 1999 trophy. The fact is there isn't and there shouldn't be.
The obvious reason there shouldn't be an asterisk is that every team had to deal with and adjust to a 50 game season just like the Spurs. Another reason is the fact that Tim Duncan was only in his second season in the NBA. More games at this time in a players career is very beneficial to the development of their skills. In theory making Duncan a even more dominate force than we actually saw in the 1999 post-season. On top of that, at this time Duncan had little time in adjusting to the talent of the NBA. Because of the shortened season Duncan also had less than two full seasons to build up championship level chemistry with his teammates. Against all odds Duncan prevailed to win the the Championship and Finals MVP in 1999.
Some argue that the Spurs lucked into the 1999 championship. That there should be a asterisk because the Spurs had never won a ring prior. If that's your argument, should the asterisk not be removed after winning three more rings? Proving that the 1999 was indeed not luck.
It has already been determined that the season will be shortened due to the lockout. Although it is obvious that the 1999 Spurs do not deserve an asterisk on there trophy, it is not so obvious about the winner this year. There is one team that will have the opportunity to win the first title in the history of the NBA with an asterisk attached to it.
As I alluded there is a team that can win a ring with a asterisk attached to it. That team is the Lakers. I know this isn't what Lakers fans want to hear but it's the truth. The Lakers simply benefit more than any other team from a shortened season. What other major contender relies heavily on player who is past their prime, lost two steps, always dinged up, and has arthritic fingers. Not to mention this player only shot 41% in the finals in his prime. What other team has a fragile center who is lucky to make it through an entire season. Lakers will still depend on the contributions of a 37 year old pg. The Lakers will also benefit more than other teams because their players have played many games together.
On the other hand we have the Champs who have to figure out how to work in Butler into the rotation. The Heat will need as many games as possible to develop chemistry on the court that they have yet to achieve. The Thunder have yet to figure things out between Westbrook and Durant. The Thunder are a young team that will actually benefit from more games. The Bulls are also young and will likely have a new shooting-guard.
So we just may have the first legitimate championship asterisk in the history of the NBA.
Tldr-Fuck off
There isn't a asterisk anywhere on the Spurs 1999 championship trophy and there isn't one in the record books either. The man who was created by MJ, who went on to create Kobe wants to believe there is an asterisk on the 1999 trophy. The fact is there isn't and there shouldn't be.
The obvious reason there shouldn't be an asterisk is that every team had to deal with and adjust to a 50 game season just like the Spurs. Another reason is the fact that Tim Duncan was only in his second season in the NBA. More games at this time in a players career is very beneficial to the development of their skills. In theory making Duncan a even more dominate force than we actually saw in the 1999 post-season. On top of that, at this time Duncan had little time in adjusting to the talent of the NBA. Because of the shortened season Duncan also had less than two full seasons to build up championship level chemistry with his teammates. Against all odds Duncan prevailed to win the the Championship and Finals MVP in 1999.
Some argue that the Spurs lucked into the 1999 championship. That there should be a asterisk because the Spurs had never won a ring prior. If that's your argument, should the asterisk not be removed after winning three more rings? Proving that the 1999 was indeed not luck.
It has already been determined that the season will be shortened due to the lockout. Although it is obvious that the 1999 Spurs do not deserve an asterisk on there trophy, it is not so obvious about the winner this year. There is one team that will have the opportunity to win the first title in the history of the NBA with an asterisk attached to it.
As I alluded there is a team that can win a ring with a asterisk attached to it. That team is the Lakers. I know this isn't what Lakers fans want to hear but it's the truth. The Lakers simply benefit more than any other team from a shortened season. What other major contender relies heavily on player who is past their prime, lost two steps, always dinged up, and has arthritic fingers. Not to mention this player only shot 41% in the finals in his prime. What other team has a fragile center who is lucky to make it through an entire season. Lakers will still depend on the contributions of a 37 year old pg. The Lakers will also benefit more than other teams because their players have played many games together.
On the other hand we have the Champs who have to figure out how to work in Butler into the rotation. The Heat will need as many games as possible to develop chemistry on the court that they have yet to achieve. The Thunder have yet to figure things out between Westbrook and Durant. The Thunder are a young team that will actually benefit from more games. The Bulls are also young and will likely have a new shooting-guard.
So we just may have the first legitimate championship asterisk in the history of the NBA.
Tldr-Fuck off