Spurs Gaining Strength
Added on May 28, 2013 by Scott in
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The Memphis Grizzlies tried to play their game and at times during the Western Conference Finals, they succeeded. Unfortunately for them, the San Antonio Spurs were better at their game. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan had the look of a duo determined to win a fourth NBA championship together. From the moment Game 1 tipped, it was clear that the Grizz were in trouble.
Memphis forced overtime twice in the series and put forth an inspired effort to avoid a four-game sweep, but San Antonio never appeared threatened. Parker was in MVP form, dishing a gaudy 18 assists in Game 2 and dropping an eye-popping 37 points in last night’s clinching victory.
What makes the Spurs dangerous is their ability to adapt on the fly. They can run and gun or dig in and grind, often in the same game. Every player knows and accepts their role. Regardless of the situation, they rarely panic. In other words, they are the purest definition of a team.
Duncan is playing as smart and savvy as ever, and resembles nothing close to a worn out 37-year-old. He is averaging 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per night, and even more impressive, the two-time MVP is logging close to 35 minutes a game. Not to be outdone, his low post defense has been integral to the Spurs’ dominance.
If LeBron James and the Miami Heat are next in line, San Antonio has the necessary pieces in place to dethrone the champs. They lost both meetings with the Heat in the regular season by a combined seven points. However, Parker and Duncan missed the first showdown and Manu Ginobili sat out both. At full strength, they should give Miami all they can handle.
The Spurs are the antithesis of the Heat. Instead of compiling a core of high-priced free agent stars, they have constructed a roster of homegrown talent. Parker, Duncan, Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter have all spent their entire NBA careers in San Antonio. Beating LeBron, Wade, Bosh and Allen won’t be easy, but it’s a challenge the Spurs are more than willing to accept.
