Tim Duncan: “We’ll do it this time.”
LB James: “They were the much better team”
And they were. Tonight, San Antonio demolished the Miami Heat, 104-87 to win the 2014 NBA Title. The Spurs were the better team LAST YEAR, but things happen. If all was fair, the Spurs would have won this series in a sweep, and six last year. One free throw and a box-out was the difference between back-to-back titles.
Last year, I didn’t think San Antonio thought they could handle Miami. This year, they came in thinking they could handle LB James, no matter what they did. Kawhi Leonard was totally different than last season. Miami could put LB James on Tony Parker last season with no thought Leonard would hurt them. It meant the Heat could hide someone on defense. In Game 3, Leonard set himself loose — after prodding by Popovich, and the result was devastating.
Sorry, national media like ESPN. Especially ESPN. San Antonio won each of its four games by double-digits. If a team is beating you that badly and the only game you win is after four consecutive missed free throws by two Hall-of-Famers, you’re not the better team.
For me, the breakthrough was the Spurs not only winning, but totally wiping out the Heat in Game 4. That game, reffed by Joey Crawford was the one the league was hoping would allow the Heat back into the series. After that idea collapsed, the league probably said “let’s stop f-ing with the Spurs.”
Looking forward to hearing Mike-and-Mike tomorrow pretend the Heat were the only team playing in the finals. Dammit, that pairing is sounding like the Heat looked in the finals … old and slow. Bagtastic. No wonder no one listens to them here. Except me, when Taylor starts to play like he’s the Rush Limbaugh of sports.
You don’t know how much I’ve been looking to use the old-and-slow phrase as a cheap shot. And here’s another one I’m glad to use:
Tiago Splitter blocking Dwayne Wade dunk attempt
Wonder if we’re going to see that as often as the LB James stuff of … Tiago Splitter last year? No?
Just heard Avery Johnson say he can’t see another team defeating San Antonio four times in 10 days.
Now we can leave basketball season behind, thank goodness. NFL training camp is opening up in a month.
