DespЏrado
04-25-2008, 06:16 AM
Lately I've been getting nostalgic...For the Spurs and for the greatness that has been the Tim Duncan lead spurs. And it seems that a new era is quickly approaching. Unbelievable talent is making it's way into the league with the names of Lebron, Wade, CP3, D. West, Bosh, Boozer, Williams, Howard etc. And I don't know how exactly the Spurs are going to compete in the NBA once those players get a few more years under their belts. Heck if Boozer and Williams are good this year, think about how much better they will be once they get a few more years of gritty experience shoved down their throats. How much harder they will be to beat in Salt Lake City as the years progress.
Not that I begrudge them that opportunity; that chance to rise above their competitors and win it all, is why we live and breathe the NBA. And there are probably going to be years of seriously intense matchups between the likes of Williams and Paul, a grudge match to see who the best point man is in this league. Something our own Parker might have a little to say about himself. And it will be great for the fans and players alike.
But what of this era? Is it already over? Here in this playoff series between the Suns and the Spurs we have two of the greatest big men to have ever laced it up in the league going toe to toe, but is it for the last time? Is this the last time Shaq will have the body willing and able to take it to Duncan?
Take a second to think about that... Shaq's been the ultimate nemisis in Duncan's career. Matching him championship for championship. Each one making it a personal goal to end up with that one extra ring on whichever hand they end up on. But in this match up time is working for Duncan. His best peak years are probably just now occurring, and we won't see Duncan lose a step in playoffs for at least another year or two.
But as we watch Shaq start to play a role of defensive anchor, mentor, and spiritual leader; I am reminded of the way David Robinson once made the same adjustment for Duncan. Is this what Shaq saw in the Phoenix Suns? A chance to do for Stoudemire what Robinson did for Duncan?
And as a Spurs fan I find myself grateful to Shaq for being there to play that nemesis role. He is everything that Duncan isn't. A sometimes childish big oaf of a center. Shaq has always demanded the spotlight even to the detriment of his various teams. But he has always been there in the playoffs waiting for another rematch with his lumbering gate and his quick wit for the underhanded insult. And I think I am going to miss him when he is gone.
Now if the Spurs would just escort Shaq to the happy little retirement village in Phoenix I can live with the era of the Lebrons and Pauls of the world, and pray another once in a lifetime 7' comes up in the draft soon or maybe there needs to be two of them.
Not that I begrudge them that opportunity; that chance to rise above their competitors and win it all, is why we live and breathe the NBA. And there are probably going to be years of seriously intense matchups between the likes of Williams and Paul, a grudge match to see who the best point man is in this league. Something our own Parker might have a little to say about himself. And it will be great for the fans and players alike.
But what of this era? Is it already over? Here in this playoff series between the Suns and the Spurs we have two of the greatest big men to have ever laced it up in the league going toe to toe, but is it for the last time? Is this the last time Shaq will have the body willing and able to take it to Duncan?
Take a second to think about that... Shaq's been the ultimate nemisis in Duncan's career. Matching him championship for championship. Each one making it a personal goal to end up with that one extra ring on whichever hand they end up on. But in this match up time is working for Duncan. His best peak years are probably just now occurring, and we won't see Duncan lose a step in playoffs for at least another year or two.
But as we watch Shaq start to play a role of defensive anchor, mentor, and spiritual leader; I am reminded of the way David Robinson once made the same adjustment for Duncan. Is this what Shaq saw in the Phoenix Suns? A chance to do for Stoudemire what Robinson did for Duncan?
And as a Spurs fan I find myself grateful to Shaq for being there to play that nemesis role. He is everything that Duncan isn't. A sometimes childish big oaf of a center. Shaq has always demanded the spotlight even to the detriment of his various teams. But he has always been there in the playoffs waiting for another rematch with his lumbering gate and his quick wit for the underhanded insult. And I think I am going to miss him when he is gone.
Now if the Spurs would just escort Shaq to the happy little retirement village in Phoenix I can live with the era of the Lebrons and Pauls of the world, and pray another once in a lifetime 7' comes up in the draft soon or maybe there needs to be two of them.