1999 Finals Game 5 on ESPN Classic at 11:00AM

[twentyone]

It's strange how looking back gives you such a different perspective no how the game was won back then compared to now. I think our team now is leagues better than it was in 99, and yet we got there in fewer games than we've ever gotten to the Finals the last 3 times.

I think TD had more jumpers, spins, and outside shots because he wasn't playing the role he established after that year. It might have been injury but I doubt it, the way he shoots now is more definitive. He doesn't shoot the 18 ft., and 3 ptr's because it's not his role.

And as I watch the final 1:00 of this 99 game, I wonder HOW THE DID WE WIN? It's brutal to watch.

[CubanMustGo]

I wonder how bad the ratings were back then, oh wait NBC could market games.

Ratings were quite good, b/c NY was one of the teams involved and the national media hadn't jumped on the "SA is boring" bandwagon yet.

[twentyone]

Sorry, I take it back. SPREWELL FTW!!! Ball hog threw the game away. Clock management is a .

[Cry Havoc]

The Knicks made so many horrible mistakes that game.

We did too, but the errors weren't quite as egregious. And Duncan TOOK OVER in the 4th.

[Sec24Row7]

I think the team we have now would give the Lakers of 00-02 problems...

That 1999 team couldn't.


and...


AHAHAHA Avery.. "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN BOUT 5-0!"

[Cry Havoc]

How many games would the series have gone with Ewing? Definitely 6.

Maybe 7, but I think we still win. Duncan was unstoppable.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

You'll have to excuse me, I have something stuck in my eye.

[Cry Havoc]

Let's see how good this 2000 Laker team is compared to today's Spurs.

[DudleyDawson]

Dunkin Dutchman is going right at Shaq early..

[J.T.]

Hard work and persistence pays off, baby!

I miss DRob so in much.

[easjer]

I get teary-eyed everytime I watch that. That night and now. The look of pure emotion and being overwhelmed on DRob's face . . .

*sniffle*

[timvp]

Did I really read people criticizing the '99 Spurs defense? That is statistically the best defensive team ever and the best defensive Spurs team I ever saw.

Tim and Dave in their primes patrolling the paint was just sick.

[Nikos]

Actually statistically the 2004 defense was the best. 99 I think was the next best, along with 2005.

But I do think come playoff time the 99 defense was the best overall because they had Drob to guard Shaq and they had two excellent shotblockers and post defenders. In an an 82 game season they might not have been the best defense -- but against elite playoff teams with good big men the 1999 has the edge in overall defense because of the twin towers.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Duncan was able to shoot those jumpers at will because he had another legitimate rebounder right under the paint in case he missed.

Who has that role now? Oberto? Horry?

Get us another got damn rebounder PLZ

[timvp]

Actually statistically the 2004 defense was the best. 99 I think was the next best, along with 2005.

I was talking defensive field goal percentage -- not points per possession..

But I do think come playoff time the 99 defense was the best overall because they had Drob to guard Shaq and they had two excellent shotblockers and post defenders. In an an 82 game season they might not have been the best defense -- but against elite playoff teams with good big men the 1999 has the edge in overall defense because of the twin towers.

The '99 Spurs were the only Spurs team I ever saw that could dial their defense up a couple notches when it had to and could almost get stops on demand. With Tim and Dave in the middle and three solid perimeter defenders (Elie, Elliott and Jackson), it was just a monster of a defensive team.

Game 5 was one of their worst defensive efforts of the season and it was still pretty decent.