20 years ago today spurs win 2nd title

[playblair]

where were u 20 years ago spurstalk posters......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70rlnQ2T3Kg

[BatManu20]

Easily one of the greatest carry jobs in NBA history by Timmy tbh. Prob my 3rd favorite title ever. Behind 2014 and 1999. Just because of Duncan’s dominance, it being D-Rob’s last season, and finally eliminating the Lakers after losing to them 3 straight years. And watching Kobe and Derrick Fisher cry :lol. That was a fun one. 2005 is right there too though.

[Russ]

where were u 20 years ago spurstalk posters......


At the game, celebrating.

(In fact, I think I even saw Kori and LJ walking out.)

:flag:

[Obstructed_View]

03 was maybe the most fun, but by far the most maddening. They had all the big comebacks because they gave up the big leads. So much young talent and not a lot of consistency compared to the other title teams. The 14 team was the pinnacle of maturity. The 03 team was on the other end of that. So much fun.

[spurs10]

Nest year on June 15th we can celebrate our 10 year anniversary of 5th title.

[TD 21]

Vintage Walton in the intro/opening: "Tonight's about closure, tonight's about Tim Duncan being the best, but it's also about David Robinson, riding the last wave of the day, we have come to the end of the line, blow it out big men, blow it out."


Easily one of the greatest carry jobs in NBA history by Timmy tbh. Prob my 3rd favorite title ever. Behind 2014 and 1999. Just because of Duncan’s dominance, it being D-Rob’s last season, and finally eliminating the Lakers after losing to them 3 straight years. And watching Kobe and Derrick Fisher cry :lol. That was a fun one. 2005 is right there too though.

It was two, '01 and '02.

[Russ]

Vintage Walton in the intro/opening: "Tonight's about closure, tonight's about Tim Duncan being the best, but it's also about David Robinson, riding the last wave of the day, we have come to the end of the line, blow it out big men, blow it out."



It was two, '01 and '02.

It was two. 2001 was the worst. I remember meeting Baseline Bum and some others to go to Game 4 of that sweep.

[Russ]

That was 2001. In 2000 the Spurs lost to Phoenix in the first round and Duncan didn't play at all because he tore the meniscus in his knee late in the regular season.

I caught it and edited it before you got me!

[BatManu20]

Vintage Walton in the intro/opening: "Tonight's about closure, tonight's about Tim Duncan being the best, but it's also about David Robinson, riding the last wave of the day, we have come to the end of the line, blow it out big men, blow it out."


It was two, '01 and '02.

Yea my b. 2 straight years. In 2000 we lost to PHX in the 1st Round without Timmy. 2001-02 was still super frustrating watching Kobe destroy our backcourt. Bruce couldn’t really slow him down. Shaq got his of course, but we defended him pretty well with the twin towers all thing considered. Not being able to slow down Kobe is why we lost imo.

[Seventyniner]

I deleted my post btw, no point keeping it up there.

I did run across this article from 2012 I had forgotten about, talking about Pop's decision to shut Duncan down for the 2000 playoffs in the name of career longevity.

https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/page/AdandeDuncan-120519/nba-playoffs-decision-rest-tim-duncan-2000-injury-pays-off

The contrast to Grant Hill is especially chilling.


We also don't know whether Duncan would have wrecked his knee and turned into another Grant Hill (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/336/grant-hill), who pushed his injured body to the limit and found his body pushed him back and down from superstar status.

This could very well end up happening with Wemby at some point. Hopefully he is as forward-looking as Pop and Duncan if it does.

[Cry Havoc]

Easily one of the greatest carry jobs in NBA history by Timmy tbh. Prob my 3rd favorite title ever. Behind 2014 and 1999. Just because of Duncan’s dominance, it being D-Rob’s last season, and finally eliminating the Lakers after losing to them 3 straight years. And watching Kobe and Derrick Fisher cry :lol. That was a fun one. 2005 is right there too though.

Arguably the single most dominant post-season in NBA history by a single player. That team without Duncan doesn't win 30 games and definitely doesn't make the post-season.

[Russ]

I deleted my post btw, no point keeping it up there.

I did run across this article from 2012 I had forgotten about, talking about Pop's decision to shut Duncan down for the 2000 playoffs in the name of career longevity.

https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/page/AdandeDuncan-120519/nba-playoffs-decision-rest-tim-duncan-2000-injury-pays-off

The contrast to Grant Hill is especially chilling.



This could very well end up happening with Wemby at some point. Hopefully he is as forward-looking as Pop and Duncan if it does.

Thanks, man.

This is what bugs me about the whole Kawhi affair -- there were media persons with big megaphones (national) claiming that the Spurs were trying to play an injured player.

Completely unsupported by the evidence regarding Kawhi (or any other past Spurs behavior regarding injured players, including Duncan) but completely un-factchecked at the time the Spurs were being savaged.

[KobesAchilles]

Arguably the single most dominant post-season in NBA history by a single player. That team without Duncan doesn't win 30 games and definitely doesn't make the post-season.
It’s definitively Top 4 and can easily be argued #1. Right there with Ric Barry, 94 Hakeem, and 2011 Dirk. I personally think Dirk had the best team of the bunch but also the hardest road to win a chip. It’s easy to look back now and say how flawed the Lakers were but defeating the 3x champs was a HUGE accomplishment. I loved watching Fisher cry

[Russ]

It’s definitively Top 4 and can easily be argued #1. Right there with Ric Barry, 94 Hakeem, and 2011 Dirk. I personally think Dirk had the best team of the bunch but also the hardest road to win a chip. It’s easy to look back now and say how flawed the Lakers were but defeating the 3x champs was a HUGE accomplishment. I loved watching Fisher cry

I was at that game, too. That crying was actually on the Jumbotron in real time for all to see.

Brought my asterisk with me.

Quite possibly my favorite Spurs game outside of SA.

[daslicer]

I was doing summer school in college and was stressed out. This title gave me some relief to get through it. The '03 team was my favorite championship out of the Spurs 5 titles.

[daslicer]

Thanks, man.

This is what bugs me about the whole Kawhi affair -- there were media persons with big megaphones (national) claiming that the Spurs were trying to play an injured player.

Completely unsupported by the evidence regarding Kawhi (or any other past Spurs behavior regarding injured players, including Duncan) but completely un-factchecked at the time the Spurs were being savaged.

Those media clowns knew what they were doing was wrong but they just desperately wanted Kawhi to be a Laker and were going to do it by any means necessary.

[jsandiego]

I was studying abroad in Western Europe during grad school. We made a weekend trip to Venice, and I made sure the hotel we stayed at had Canal+ or whatever sports station it was that was showing the Finals.

I watched it live in my Venice hotel room in the late night/early morning. What a way for my childhood hero, David Robinson, to go out on top. And such validation for all of us that endured the asterisk talk for 4 years.

[JPB]

All five were great
If I had to rank em
1999
2005
2015
2003
2007

Yeah the 2015 title was something. No discussed enough imo.

[TD 21]

It’s definitively Top 4 and can easily be argued #1. Right there with Ric Barry, 94 Hakeem, and 2011 Dirk. I personally think Dirk had the best team of the bunch but also the hardest road to win a chip. It’s easy to look back now and say how flawed the Lakers were but defeating the 3x champs was a HUGE accomplishment. I loved watching Fisher cry

Nowitzki didn't have near the playmaking (for others)/defensive burden Duncan did.

Most of his best teammates were also in their late prime, unlike Duncan's, who were clearly pre or post.

[GAustex]

Yeah the 2015 title was something. No discussed enough imo.

Opps

[SpursFan86]

Said this in another thread but Duncan’s ‘03 playoff run is so under-appreciated and not talked about enough. People either didn’t watch at the time and/or just look at the names on that team without realizing no one was remotely close to their prime outside of Duncan. Parker in his 2nd season at 20 years old, Manu in his rookie year, D-Rob in the final season of his career at 36 or 37…there was no “big 3” in 2003 - just Duncan in his absolute peak completely dominating on both ends of the ball. Definitely the weakest of all the Spurs title teams IMO.

[KobesAchilles]

Nowitzki didn't have near the playmaking (for others)/defensive burden Duncan did.

Most of his best teammates were also in their late prime, unlike Duncan's, who were clearly pre or post.
The 03 team wasn’t talented at all. It was much like the 94 Rockets. Just a buncha guys who work hard and know their role and play suffocating defense as a team. But besides the Lakers each team they faced was pretty meh.

Dirk had to go through b2b champ Lakers, OKC, and Heatles. It was unquestionably a harder road. Jason Terry was better than TP though during that run by a lot. And Kidd knew how to play with an elite rim protector in Tyson and a sharpshooter in Peja. And their own version of speedy Claxton in JJ Barea. A better team than the 03 Spurs for sure supporting cast wise but still not nearly good enough to knock out all those juggernauts come postseason. 11 Dirk was quite impressive.

[playblair]

At the game, celebrating.

(In fact, I think I even saw Kori and LJ walking out.)

:flag:
not sure if 2005 or 2003 but there are pics here of kori & lj in the spurs locker room after the championship win........

[playblair]

Nest year on June 15th we can celebrate our 10 year anniversary of 5th title.
2003 title was won on june 15th to

[TD 21]

The 03 team wasn’t talented at all. It was much like the 94 Rockets. Just a buncha guys who work hard and know their role and play suffocating defense as a team. But besides the Lakers each team they faced was pretty meh.

Dirk had to go through b2b champ Lakers, OKC, and Heatles. It was unquestionably a harder road. Jason Terry was better than TP though during that run by a lot. And Kidd knew how to play with an elite rim protector in Tyson and a sharpshooter in Peja. And their own version of speedy Claxton in JJ Barea. A better team than the 03 Spurs for sure supporting cast wise but still not nearly good enough to knock out all those juggernauts come postseason. 11 Dirk was quite impressive.

It's all relative to your own team's caliber though. The Lakers (could have easily been shutout if not for Garnett's knee injury in '09 and Perkins' keen injury in game 6 in '10), the Thunder were too young and the Heat too thin plus James was trying to not step on Wade's toes.

'11 Nowitzki receives plenty of praise. In typical Duncan fashion, '03 is largely forgotten outside of Spurs fans and stat geeks. The masses only seem to remember the post prime version and think Olajuwon is the standalone standard of post moves/footwork.

[spurraider21]

03 and 14 are my favorite titles

[rascal]

99 is my favorite, being the first. Robinson and Duncan

[rascal]

Yea my b. 2 straight years. In 2000 we lost to PHX in the 1st Round without Timmy. 2001-02 was still super frustrating watching Kobe destroy our backcourt. Bruce couldn’t really slow him down. Shaq got his of course, but we defended him pretty well with the twin towers all thing considered. Not being able to slow down Kobe is why we lost imo.

I didn't think the front office did a good job surrounding Robinson and Duncan with enough talent. Letting the Lakers win three in a row during the Robinson/Duncan era was a front office failure.

[RC_Drunkford]

I remember my boy telling me at the start of that season that we are bringing over this guy Manu Ginobili who‘s the best player in Europe. Was only able to watch the Finals the next day as a kid on german television and Duncan dominated. Give credit to Speedy Claxton who saved us in game 6

[Arcadian]

Love the '03 Spurs. I agree it was carried by Tim, but I don't think the team composition was as terrible as some of you remember it. Rookie Manu was already 25 years old, so he wasn't your typical rookie. Stephen Jackson was really damn good and clutch in the playoffs. Second-year Tony was the fastest guy in the league. Bruce Bowen might have been at his defensive peak that year. And there were some solid role players like Steve Smith, Steve Kerr, Danny Ferry, and Speedy Claxton - none individually great, but all played their roles optimally. Robinson didn't play until he was 40 - he was a high quality starter until the very end, and he had the brotherly synergy with Duncan.

Plus, that team has the best version of Duncan. Doesn't that alone make it one of the best Spurs teams? I want the team with the best version of the best player.

[thiste]

I was in front of my TV at probably 6AM in Paris France... My heart was in SA for sure.

[KobesAchilles]

It's all relative to your own team's caliber though. The Lakers (could have easily been shutout if not for Garnett's knee injury in '09 and Perkins' keen injury in game 6 in '10), the Thunder were too young and the Heat too thin plus James was trying to not step on Wade's toes.

'11 Nowitzki receives plenty of praise. In typical Duncan fashion, '03 is largely forgotten outside of Spurs fans and stat geeks. The masses only seem to remember the post prime version and think Olajuwon is the standalone standard of post moves/footwork.

yeah the amount of downplay you give their run is pretty funny. Too thin. They had the fucking mvp (robbed that year) and a top 5 players in Wade plus a perennial all star in Bosh. We should be so lucky and be that “thin.” Young or not the Thunder had Westbrok, KD, and Harden all on the same team. And the Lakers were b2b champs. Idgaf about what ifs, especially when it’s Kendrick freaking Perkins being injured. They still had Pierce, KG, Rondo, and Allen. Find a way to win.

Tim’s is forgotten bc of a variety of reasons. There’s nobody on national tv (like Kenny Smith) reminding the world how great of a run it was. It took place before HD and the quality of the footage is absolute garbage. And the Spurs weren’t marketed at all. If Tim was more like Dave then the Spurs would’ve been marketed. Also outside of the Lakers who did they really beat? Starburys Suns? Dirkless Mavs? The Nets? There’s no real story there. Sometimes I wish the Spurs were in the East just so when they beat the fucking Lakers it would be in the finals and people would realize how fucking good Duncan was. Like nobody remembers 1999 either. And even 05 and 07 are forgotten bc there wasn’t any marquis matchups.

[TD 21]

yeah the amount of downplay you give their run is pretty funny. Too thin. They had the fucking mvp (robbed that year) and a top 5 players in Wade plus a perennial all star in Bosh. We should be so lucky and be that “thin.” Young or not the Thunder had Westbrok, KD, and Harden all on the same team. And the Lakers were b2b champs. Idgaf about what ifs, especially when it’s Kendrick freaking Perkins being injured. They still had Pierce, KG, Rondo, and Allen. Find a way to win.

Tim’s is forgotten bc of a variety of reasons. There’s nobody on national tv (like Kenny Smith) reminding the world how great of a run it was. It took place before HD and the quality of the footage is absolute garbage. And the Spurs weren’t marketed at all. If Tim was more like Dave then the Spurs would’ve been marketed. Also outside of the Lakers who did they really beat? Starburys Suns? Dirkless Mavs? The Nets? There’s no real story there. Sometimes I wish the Spurs were in the East just so when they beat the fucking Lakers it would be in the finals and people would realize how fucking good Duncan was. Like nobody remembers 1999 either. And even 05 and 07 are forgotten bc there wasn’t any marquis matchups.

The cap was way lower in '11. The Heat squeezed in Haslem and Miller, but had no credible C or bench. This isn't NBA Jam.

The '11 Thunder weren't ready yet. Durant and Westbrook were pre prime and Harden was still a role player.

The Lakers were overrated and on fumes in '11. In '10, Perkins mattered greatly in a matchup vs two elite C's, especially when the alternative was washed up, out of shape Wallace being ran into the ground. The Lakers, who already had home court and the best player, bludgeoned them in the paint in game 7.

The '03 Spurs, a team thought to be in transition, with max cap space to chase Kidd, O'Neal or Webber to replace Robinson, not only dethroned but humiliated the 3-time defending champion Lakers who were expected to cruise to another championship. Not sure how the '05 Suns and Pistons and '07 Suns weren't marquee matchups.

[Thomas82]

And 20 years ago today Tim Duncan was robbed of a quadruple double.

[spurs10]

My wife and I were behind our basket in 2014 and it was surreal. That being said, 2005 was unreal and my favourite.

[Millennial_Messiah]

I remember right after my friends came over and we stood at the corner of a busy intersection and shouted at the top of our lungs, "Honk Your Horn If You Like The Spurs!" ... I was 9

[Muser]

And 20 years ago today Tim Duncan was robbed of a quadruple double.

That still pisses me off to this day. One of, if not the greatest performance in finals history.

[Millennial_Messiah]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA74bv-VJWs


That still pisses me off to this day. One of, if not the greatest performance in finals history.
Huh? He got 8 blocks... How was he "robbed"?

[Seventyniner]

Huh? He got 8 blocks... How was he "robbed"?

The story is that there were 2 shots Duncan blocked that he didn't get credit for, meaning he should have had 10 blocks.

I don't know if it's true personally.

[exstatic]

The story is that there were 2 shots Duncan blocked that he didn't get credit for, meaning he should have had 10 blocks.

I don't know if it's true personally.

He had a clean block called as a foul because Byron Scott cried like a little bitch at a block party thrown by two of the greatest ever.

[Thomas82]

That still pisses me off to this day. One of, if not the greatest performance in finals history.

IKR....I can't understand why they never reviewed it and added those 2 blocks. TD stayed getting cheated by statisticians.

[Millennial_Messiah]

He had a clean block called as a foul because Byron Scott cried like a little bitch at a block party thrown by two of the greatest ever.

that Nyets team was full of littlebitches tbh. We were 2 shots away from a clean series sweep of their pathetic overmatched asses. Stephen Jackson makes that three in game 2 which he should have but he's no Sean Elliott (Luck the Fakers) I guess. Then in game 4 we pretty much control the second half of that game but the refs stick it to us down the stretch to lengthen the series.