The San Antonio Spurs are 2007 NBA Champions!
June 15th 2007 09:55
San Antonio players celebrating like it's 1999! (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)
Break out LeBroom because it was a le sweep, 83-82 to the Spurs – champions for a fourth time since a certain basketball player named Tim Duncan came to the Alamo. While we still have your attention how about a le congratulations to le Tony Parker who also walked away with le Finals MVP trophy. Could Parker be the luckiest guy on earth? Major basketball talent, money, looks, MVP trophy, Championship rings and let’s not forget Eva Longoria! Some people have all the fortune.
Parker who dominated the Cavs with his blistering pace and deadly outside shot scorched them for 24 points doing as he pleased, while his fellow foreign sidekick, Manu Ginobili had 27 – 13 in the final quarter, including some clutch hoops down the stretch. And how could we forget Tim Duncan? He is the reason why the San Antonio franchise has been so successful during his reign, and although Game 4 wasn’t one of Duncan’s best games he still did made his mark with 12 points and 15 rebounds. The Big Fundamental also grabbed some vital boards with Cleveland closing in, and not only that, his hustle and the intangibles he bought to the game were something to behold.
San Antonio thoroughly deserved this one.
Moving to the opposition, LeBron James will have to wait a little longer to be anointed basketball royalty after Bron-Bron and the James gang were handed their asses on a platter. San Antonio picked LeBron and his team apart, brutally exposing their flaws for the world to
Tony Parker plants a kiss on a woman who has been stalking him throughout the Finals. She goes by the name of Eva Longoria. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Credit James’ ineffectiveness in the Finals to the Spurs team who hounded LeBron whenever he went down the lane allowing for only two dunks, yes, you read that correctly, two dunks, for the whole series. Furthermore, after thoroughly dominating the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, and Tayshaun Prince, James was met with more resistance by Bruce Bowen who shadowed Bron-Bron like bad body odour. The Spurs were so good at laying down the clamps on the King that he shot a paltry 31 percent from the field for the series.
This leaves us with the rest of the Cavs who were by no means a championship calibre team. Cleveland is woeful in their current incarnation and without the injured Larry Hughes the Cavs were doomed from the very beginning. Cleveland’s loss isn’t primarily due to LeBron because he tried his heart out, it’s just the team around him couldn’t hit shots to save their lives and without James, would be the equal of the Atlanta Hawks – don’t forget Anderson Varejao who thought for one moment that he was the man in Game 3.
As mentioned ad nauseum so far the Spurs played tight ‘D’ on LeBron, forcing him into shooting mid-range jumpers and rushed 3-pointers. They bodied and badgered him to such an extent that his turnover rate was excruciatingly high. Welcome, to Finals basketball young fella.
LeBron will learn from this and the NBA will be his in due time. Even the greatest get their licks
Even Arsenal football star Thierry Henry thinks the NBA is fan-tastic. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Now, that we have dedicated so much space for the vanquished, let us celebrate the victors.
Before the Finals the San Antonio squad repeatedly dismissed talk of a dynasty, but it certainly can’t be avoided now. The Spurs have built a model franchise that has basketball excellence as the centrepiece. No, one complains about playing time, and egos are kept in check because there is a team ethos that permeates through the franchise. Credit coach Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan for the unselfish mentality that is the hallmark of this dynasty in the making.
Kudos must go out to Tim Duncan because all things are possible due to TD. The continued brilliance he has continued to show, whilst making winning the most important thing is his basketball legacy. While, some measure success in the NBA through such superficialities such as money, endorsements, entourage and shoe deals, Tim Duncan has exposed that the only measure of true and everlasting success is titles. Many a critic (this space and writer included) have derided Timmy and the Spurs but let’s give a pound when the credit is due – Duncan and the Spurs deserve to be lauded.
The Finals started off in a flurry with one young star expected to ascend to greatness, while the other would get lost in the shuffle – Tony Parker would rise to the occasion and establish himself as a superstar, while LeBron James will take solace and joy at the birth of his second son prior to Game 4, because he won’t get to touch the Larry O’Brien trophy.
There really is only one thing left to say: Congratulations, to the 2007 NBA Champions, San Antonio Spurs.
Today’s video is of Game 4. ‘Nuff said.
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
I don't know what Henry's main sponsor Nike would have to say about him being seen in a Reebok jersey though...*hehe*
Charles.
Comment by Stanley
tsk, tsk, tsk naughty thierry wearing another sponsors apparel!