Ghost Writer
06-20-2005, 10:41 AM
Long time, no hear, playas.
I am still every bit as much a Spurs fan as ever, but you know that sometimes life has a funny way of consuming you --
(closing on the first little house, getting married, fiancee recently got diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we're both in a bunch of other weddings this summer, etc. So I apologize for not posting in, like, months.
When things are hectic, it's nice to escape for a couple hours and enjoy your favorite team, especially when it's a team that "does it the right way," like the Spurs.
Some dumb broad I work with here said this morning, "I just can't get into this series." I responded flatly, "How can you not enjoy an overtime thriller?" She goes, "I just can't get excited about these teams." I go, "Oh yeah, you're Lakers aren't in it." Mind you, I live in friggin' Connecticut.
Anyway, last night seemed like the big payoff after four blowouts. It was like the Spurs landed a right hook in Games 1 & 2 and then the Pistons fired back with a left jab of their own in Games 3 & 4. Last night was big... to say the least.
Historically, the Spurs do not respond well when getting punched in the mouth, so to speak. I am reminded of Hakeem beating David, the Lakers sweeping the Spurs, the Lakers coming back on San Antonio last playoffs.
I was, admittedly, nervous before Game 5. But something I kept telling myself, was "All we need is one in Detroit and this can be it."
Also, this is not just Robinson and a bunch of okay players or Duncan surrounded by mediocrity.
This is a team.
I will admit that although I still think the Spurs could've been more agressive in putting established talent around Duncan in the past, the current and future state of the Spurs looks great.
It helps that Shaq and Kobe divorced, but, hey, that's their own d@mn fault.
The Spurs addressed needs. They got that viable backup PG with Udirih. They made up for the mistake that is Rasho by making an in-season trade of the popular veteran Rose for the starting center Mohammed. (Knicks fans I talk to still are sore about that deal, even with the first rounders NY gets from us.)
To be honest, Brent Barry has not contributed statistically much more than Hedo Turkoglu, but you have to understand that Barry's leadership is huge. He has fostered relationships with all the Spurs on and off the court. He is the type of motivator and "team guy" that Danny Ferry was.
And then we have the young guns. How far Ginobili and Parker have come.
Manu is the second ebst player on the Spurs. Some, by their "MVP" chants, would argue that he is the most important Spur.
Parker is doing just fine these playoffs. He still has room to grow, too.
Both of them were huge in the first two games, but faltered after Detroit refused to let them get to the rack without getting killed.
Last night, I as pleased to see both Spurs guards tweak their games to still have an impact without the scoring drives. Manu was brilliant on the boards and I thought Parker's on-the-ball defense was about as good as you can ask for against Billups and then Hamilton... two premiere scorers.
And then there is Bruce Bowen. I've never liked Bruce Bowen's game, even though from time to time he has proven me wrong. Well, Bowen gets a permananent pass from me from here on in. The 34-year-old has been outstanding. On defense and on offense! The timely threes have kept the Spurs in games during rough stretches. He has gotten into Rip Hamilton's head and his man-to-man late against Billups was just brilliant )kudos to Pop, too.)
Big Shot Bobby. Here's a guy that looked like he was on his last legs after failing to beat the Spurs a few years ago and coming up sluggish in last year's playoffs. Well, Robert Horry ain't done yet. Not much more to say here except that Horry certainly earned his next ring with his third title team. I think I busted a blood vessel after he made that last one. Unbelievable.
Duncan owes his teammates a debt of gratitude. I counted about four different ways Duncan could be held responsible for the Spurs losing last night, and I hate to say, probably the series. But his teammates bailed him aout time and again. By the way, aside from the inexcusable free throw misses, the follied putback and the careless turnover on the block, Duncan still had a huge game. Look at that box score! But you still expect him to step on the Pistons' throat in those big spots, and Duncan did not. Quite frankly, the past 3 games have not been Duncan's best and the Spurs are a game away from a title. It will be interesting to see who gets the Finals MVP, as ridiculous as it is to suggest that the Spurs are still not Team Duncan.
Now I expect Duncan to slam the door shut in Game 6.
Our best player does not have to do it alone anymore.
And that's why the Spurs will be champions for the third time in 6 years, with no slowing down in sight.
Bravo!
I am still every bit as much a Spurs fan as ever, but you know that sometimes life has a funny way of consuming you --
(closing on the first little house, getting married, fiancee recently got diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we're both in a bunch of other weddings this summer, etc. So I apologize for not posting in, like, months.
When things are hectic, it's nice to escape for a couple hours and enjoy your favorite team, especially when it's a team that "does it the right way," like the Spurs.
Some dumb broad I work with here said this morning, "I just can't get into this series." I responded flatly, "How can you not enjoy an overtime thriller?" She goes, "I just can't get excited about these teams." I go, "Oh yeah, you're Lakers aren't in it." Mind you, I live in friggin' Connecticut.
Anyway, last night seemed like the big payoff after four blowouts. It was like the Spurs landed a right hook in Games 1 & 2 and then the Pistons fired back with a left jab of their own in Games 3 & 4. Last night was big... to say the least.
Historically, the Spurs do not respond well when getting punched in the mouth, so to speak. I am reminded of Hakeem beating David, the Lakers sweeping the Spurs, the Lakers coming back on San Antonio last playoffs.
I was, admittedly, nervous before Game 5. But something I kept telling myself, was "All we need is one in Detroit and this can be it."
Also, this is not just Robinson and a bunch of okay players or Duncan surrounded by mediocrity.
This is a team.
I will admit that although I still think the Spurs could've been more agressive in putting established talent around Duncan in the past, the current and future state of the Spurs looks great.
It helps that Shaq and Kobe divorced, but, hey, that's their own d@mn fault.
The Spurs addressed needs. They got that viable backup PG with Udirih. They made up for the mistake that is Rasho by making an in-season trade of the popular veteran Rose for the starting center Mohammed. (Knicks fans I talk to still are sore about that deal, even with the first rounders NY gets from us.)
To be honest, Brent Barry has not contributed statistically much more than Hedo Turkoglu, but you have to understand that Barry's leadership is huge. He has fostered relationships with all the Spurs on and off the court. He is the type of motivator and "team guy" that Danny Ferry was.
And then we have the young guns. How far Ginobili and Parker have come.
Manu is the second ebst player on the Spurs. Some, by their "MVP" chants, would argue that he is the most important Spur.
Parker is doing just fine these playoffs. He still has room to grow, too.
Both of them were huge in the first two games, but faltered after Detroit refused to let them get to the rack without getting killed.
Last night, I as pleased to see both Spurs guards tweak their games to still have an impact without the scoring drives. Manu was brilliant on the boards and I thought Parker's on-the-ball defense was about as good as you can ask for against Billups and then Hamilton... two premiere scorers.
And then there is Bruce Bowen. I've never liked Bruce Bowen's game, even though from time to time he has proven me wrong. Well, Bowen gets a permananent pass from me from here on in. The 34-year-old has been outstanding. On defense and on offense! The timely threes have kept the Spurs in games during rough stretches. He has gotten into Rip Hamilton's head and his man-to-man late against Billups was just brilliant )kudos to Pop, too.)
Big Shot Bobby. Here's a guy that looked like he was on his last legs after failing to beat the Spurs a few years ago and coming up sluggish in last year's playoffs. Well, Robert Horry ain't done yet. Not much more to say here except that Horry certainly earned his next ring with his third title team. I think I busted a blood vessel after he made that last one. Unbelievable.
Duncan owes his teammates a debt of gratitude. I counted about four different ways Duncan could be held responsible for the Spurs losing last night, and I hate to say, probably the series. But his teammates bailed him aout time and again. By the way, aside from the inexcusable free throw misses, the follied putback and the careless turnover on the block, Duncan still had a huge game. Look at that box score! But you still expect him to step on the Pistons' throat in those big spots, and Duncan did not. Quite frankly, the past 3 games have not been Duncan's best and the Spurs are a game away from a title. It will be interesting to see who gets the Finals MVP, as ridiculous as it is to suggest that the Spurs are still not Team Duncan.
Now I expect Duncan to slam the door shut in Game 6.
Our best player does not have to do it alone anymore.
And that's why the Spurs will be champions for the third time in 6 years, with no slowing down in sight.
Bravo!