As fans continue to enthrall themselves in the nail-biter between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers, it’s the wily San Antonio Spurs that are sitting back and enjoying what they’re seeing. After a four-game sweep over the Memphis Grizzlies, the veteran-comprised Spurs are at home recouping and preparing for a showdown. Whether it’s the Heat or the Pacers doesn’t matter, Greg Popovich will have his platoon ready for the NBA Finals.
The Spurs are scalding; through three rounds Tim Duncan and company have accrued a 12-2 record, while making minced-meat of their opponents. Yet, it’s the Heat that are being pegged as one of the greatest teams ever and a lock to win repeat. The recipe for their success is simple: Tony Parker.
Hailing from France, Parker’s style of play resembles music-in-motion. He gracefully dribbles by and around defenders and depending on his mood can bury you with his jump-shot or his knack for converting contested lay-ups. Parker’s ability to involve his teammates is quite the sight. Duncan, Danny Green, and Kawhi Leonard have piqued with the emergence of the 31-year-old point guard.
Round by round Parker has been matched up against the best point guards in the game but all-the-while turning them into victims. Steve Nash, Stephen Curry and Mike Conley can relate first-hand as the 11-year vet carved them up en route to averaging 23 points per game and seven assists through three rounds. What is more remarkable about the play of Parker is the anonymity that has come with his success.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Despite having been a major contributor since his infancy with the Spurs, the four-time NBA champion has remained underappreciated. This act of going under the radar has provided a winning formula for San Antonio. Dribbling down from the wizard, Popovich has kept three major players in the Spurs organization.
To go along with Parker, Duncan and Ginobli have remained loyal to the team that drafted them. This act creates envy around the league as fans ponder how the Spurs have been able to keep their core, keep them happy, and most importantly continue winning games. The Spurs’ Big-Three, better known as ‘OBT’, has won an epic amount of games; 11 times winning more than 50 games as a unit and three championships in five seasons.
The curtain is slowly closing however as Father Time is nipping at the heels of Duncan as he deliberates whether or not he should return for his 17th season. I can assure if the Spurs hoist the trophy this year that the Wake Forest product will go out in style and with another ring to add to the collection. Duncan resigned after the 2012 season despite rumors that he was going to retire or utilize free agency. But, it was a statement from Parker that might have rejuvenated the kid from the Virgin Islands.
Via Marc J. Spears of YAHOO! Sports, Parker told Duncan, “I’ll get you back to the NBA Finals, we aren’t done, you aren’t done.” This pact came after the Spurs were bounced last year by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Whether or not Parker is a psychic is another discussion, but, Parker’s play has been driven by a promise he made to his biggest fan, literally.
If the Spurs are to add another championship to their collection it would immortalize their status’ among the NBA greats and etch Duncan as one of, if not the best forwards to ever play the sport and join a class including Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson among others.
In their previous championship seasons it was the Spurs riding the coattails of Duncan, now, the 37 year old is a contributor while Parker is working relentlessly to get his long-time teammate another ring to his collection.
The Spurs are currently watching the Eastern Conference Finals which has taken a turn in favor of the Miami Heat. Tied at two-games apiece, Lebron James scored 16 points in the third quarter to give the Heat a much needed lift to give them an edge and a chance to make it three straight seasons in the Finals.
The Spurs have their work cut out for them and if the Heat can win one out of the two following games in the Finals we’re looking at James’ chance to redeem the sweep he endured at the hands of the Spurs during his days with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Heat’s Big-Three has received a lot of attention when they united in the summer of 2010. However, the original Big-Three has been winning games since 2002, during that time James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh were acne-covered youngins’ playing amateur ball. Parker’s promise to Duncan fortifies the tight-knit camaraderie that Popovich has created within the locker room. If the Spurs do not come out on the winning-end of the Finals it will not affect the legacy that the Big-Three created in the Alamo City.
In an age where athletes leave for the money or the ‘better’ situation, it was the Spurs that exercised a character trait that is indiscernible with today’s athletes. When their careers are said and done, the OBT will go down as one of the best trios to ever step foot on the hardwood.
