The three-point shot with a missing shoe. The game-tying three pointer. The two easy baskets missed that could have given San Antonio their fifth NBA title. MVP performances from individuals on both sides. This was the epic 7-game series which diverted us from our normal routines that even some college classes were halted by their respective instructors just to watch Bron-Bron and Tim do their thing.
In the end, the best team won. The booze was drained, hangovers were felt, winning bets collected. It was a celebration worth remembering. In three successive trips to the Finals, Miami had their 2nd consecutive NBA title with their heart and soul getting his 2nd straight Finals MVP trophy.
Ah, LeBron James. Depending on which side of the fence you are in, he is the basketball world's greatest hero or villain. Love him or hate him. When he plays, he shows his emotions to arrogant proportions. And oh well, he has the right to do so. And if you earn $59.8 million annually, you surely have tons and tons of haters.
San Antonio succeeded in limiting his inside operations but Bron countered with his outside shooting. Yup, he shot below 50% from outside but the shots that did find their way were what mattered most. LBJ's series averages of 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 7 assists shows his versatility and ability to share the ball. I still have to see similar stat lines from a guy in purple and gold who wears number 24.
The Spurs had depended on their Big Three for the past decade but this time there was a missing link. Manu Ginobili has not been up to par except for that magical Game 5 where the vintage slash and drive was revived.
Timothy Theodore Duncan, age 37. 16 NBA seasons, 4 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVPs, 2 regular season MVPs. This old guy rule! Consider his series averages of 18.9 points and 12.1 rebounds.
The team from Texas could not have survived seven games without contributions from their young guns in Gary Neal, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. And in extreme contrast from Miami, we don't see stare-downs, chest poundings and gorilla yells from the Spurs every time they make incredible plays.
It was an enjoyable and exciting series. Yup, I cheered for the Spurs because my Lakers were eliminated, coincidentally swept by this same team in the first round. Here's looking ahead for the next NBA season and what today's lean NBA Draft brings on the table.
In a related development, San Antonio is one of the contenders in the Dwight Howard drama. The man-child will be a free agent come July 1 and aside from the Spurs, Houston, as per reports, have the upper hand in acquiring D-12.
Howard playing in San Antonio will again pair Duncan with a dominant center. When Duncan entered the NBA, he was paired with an equally dominating but aging center in David Robinson and together, they gave San Antonio their first NBA title.
Now, Tim is in the twilight of his career. The possibility of paring him with Howard surely boosts their chances of going back to the Finals next season and considering the team has about $26 million in cap space.
Likewise, Ginobili will also be a free agent this July. With the production he had last season, I doubt San Antonio will still be giving him the $14.1 million he received. Most likely, they will be offering him a one year max in the vicinity of 6 to 8 million dollars. Still not loose change, unless his mind goes Latrell Sprewell. Or maybe, they could just find a replacement slasher.
Attention Lakers. If Howard doesn't want to stay in LA, by all means let his indecisive nature walk away. The core of Kobe, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash will make do. Just find younger and longer legs to fill the gaps.
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