Hopes & expectations for this series, a potential rivalry, & the future of the league

[Mark in Austin]

I want the Spurs to win. So much so it's difficult to watch the games. But I think there is something more important at stake in this series:

If the Spurs play well, win or lose, it has the potential to be an all time great series; one that stays in the general public consciousness for a generation. The Duncan/Pop/Buford legacy - destroying a potential dynasty in Miami in 2014 with a flexible approach to maximizing team talent, a coaching/gm tree that while not perfect has consistently spread offshoots around the league at an unprecedented rate, and an unparalleled run of success in modern team sports, can culminate in the ultimate gift to future generations of basketball fans:

Warriors-Spurs could be the rivalry that takes the NBA back to the heyday of Lakers-Celtics. Two once in a generation teams playing variations of the same team-before-individual beautiful style of basketball? The basketball world can only hope these two teams meet compe ively every year for the next decade. We've already seen Steph Curry's shooting accomplish what many thought to be impossible - make the 3 pointer cooler than the dunk. Now every middle school and AAU basketball coach should be praying that a national head to head display of team-first basketball evolves the game again in the national consciousness.

Entire teams of future NBA talent, watching highlights of two teams putting on a clinic of passing and team vs team basketball unseen since Magic Johnson and Larry Bird led some of the best passing teams in NBA history, and then going out and trying to play like their heroes? Striving to win for each other like their heroes? Sharing twitter highlights of their heroes playing 5 and 6 pass possessions leading to an open three or a perfect backdoor cut? Making the connection between amazing defense and offensive opportunities like their heroes?

That's a future we can all rally around, no matter who wins this series.

[Mark Celibate]

that was pretty gay, tbh

[Splits]

Pretty sure this is the first time 2 60-win teams have met in the playoffs since 2003 Spurs/Mavs