The Spurs won that series, helping put Tim Duncan and the Spurs on dynasty alert. However, LeBron James and the Cleveland
Cavaliers crushed Detroit in four straight games after going down 2-0 to the Pistons and made an improbable run to the finals. King James' performance in Game 5 (in case you missed it because you were in a coma: 25 straight points to end the game; 29 of team's last 30 points; 48 points in total; many emphatic explosions to the rim) was inspiring and completely annihilated any hope the Detroit faithful had in their championship tested team. Play-by-play Legend Marv Albert called it "one of the greatest performances in playoff history." Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley could harly contain himself and keep repeatedly bursting out the phrase "He's unleashed the beast!" ESPN.com's Bill Simmons simply dubbed it "LeBron's 48-Point Game" before adopting colleague Jason Whitlock's designation as Lebron's "48 Special." Point is, we all had to take a breath after watching LeBron constantly pound Detroit defensive interior and then hitting improbable long fadeaways with two or more defenders on him.I, unlike others, would like to discuss my unsung hero for the game. It will shock most people when I tell you my favorite player in the NBA is veteran point guard Eric Snow. Eric has always been the consummate professional who prides himself on his intensity on the defensive end of the court and his focus when running the offense. Eric Snow doesn't give up easy points. Eric Snow doesn't turn the ball over. And Eric Snow rarely succumbs to pressure situations.
Without playing a minute in Game 5, Snow came in during the waning moments of the fourth quarter and made an immediate impact. Rookie Daniel Gibson was being abused by Piston guards Richard "Rip" Hamilton and Chauncey Billups. Snow immediately made things difficult on Billups and came up with two steals on consecutive possessions, one of which led to a fastbreak opportunity, and also forced an errant pass from Billups that resulted in another Detroit turnover. While on the offensive side, Snow controlled the half court possessions while letting time drain off the clock and eventually went to the line and made one of two free throws (hey, he didn't touch a basketball since the halftime shootaround, lets see if you can even brush the rim). The Cavs won because of James' heroics, but it would've been for nothing had Snow not been there to apply the defensive pressure to secure Cleveland's chances at more valuable possessions and the frustration that Detroits' guards faced then and now as they join 28 other NBA teams that have to focus on NEXT season.
Eric's leadership alone for this finals run makes him arguably the next most important player for the Cavs after James. He will not play nearly as much as fellow guards Gibson, Larry Hughes or Sasha Pavlovic, but his timely defense and the focus he brings on the court are valuable assets to Cleveland's chances.
(Side note: Speaking of Sasha, just because he's 6'8 like James, where does he get the idea that he can go to the hole like him!? Pavs almost corrupted the Cavaliers chances when he would receive a pass and make a desperate attempt at a pull-up or trying a suicide slash and drive to the basket and realize in mid-air that he isn't as strong as King James and would see the Pistons running the opposite direction with the ball while he was still sprawled on the hardwood drenched in sweat and shame. He serves two purposes until he regains his stroke back: rebounding and remaining 6'8 when in front of a San Antonio guard.)
Now, what I have to say next is both uninspiring and hopefully will not contain as many expletives that I scream at the TV when watching the Spurs play.
I hate the Spurs. I mean really, really loathe them at an extraordinary rate. I don't hate any one player for anything they do. But collectively, they are a team full of punks (the term I want to use would definitely ruin any chances I wanted at being professional here). They are known throughout the league as a team of academy award winners with the extracurricular activities they participate in after being grazed by an opponent. I swear if I see Manu Ginobili on the street, I want to have one of those moments where two guys are walking toward each other and they are inevitably in each other's foreseeable path and they have this mini-game of chicken and see who backs down first, only to have both guys bump shoulders, stare back with our egos ready to flare and then kind of cool off and continue on our way . . . because I have a feeling Manu will go flying off the curb.
Tim Duncan, as great as he is and he is incredible and arguably the best power forward to
ever play, constantly gives the "who? ME!?" face with hands above his head after hacking another player. Since he had such a difficult time guarding Nene Hilario in the Denver series, he would literally fall to the floor on various possessions while trying to get a call. In some instances, the refs weren't buying it and Timmy would be curled up along the baseline while everyone took off to the other end of the court.The one instance when you knew that the Spurs had a soft side was toward the end of Game 1 in the Phoenix series when Tony Parker bumped heads with Suns' all-star point guard Steve Nash. Parker lay on the court that required the attention of the Spurs medical staff and the stoppage of play. Steve Nash barely recoiled, never flinched and walked over to make sure Parker was okay . . . while he was gushing blood from the bridge of his nose. Nash tried desperately to get back on the court but the Suns' trainer couldn't stop the bleeding and the "Magic Johnson rule" requires to keep blood off the court during play. It shows you the toughness of Nash and the lack thereof that is the Spurs. I won't get into the constant dirty play of Bruce Bowen and the controversy that was Big Shot Bob's cheap shot that ultimately turned the series.
That does bring me to this realization, the Spurs are still good (disregard for a second the constant trash I said about them just now). I respect the way they play together and as a team. Tony Parker is a speedy threat on the fastbreak as well as a great pull-up jump shooter. Horry has hit more big shots in his career than the number of shots you and I have hit at the playground with no one guarding us. Michael Finley (the only guy I like on this team and that I have a rooting interest for) is an assassin from beyond and the one guy who seems to keep his head down and eyes looking forward. Bruce Bowen . . . sorry, he's dirty. He commits so many cheap fouls on opposing players, the NBA lets him get away with it and that reputation, as well as his on the ball defense, makes him a premier defender. Manu is such a streaky shooter but really catches fire when the team needs him to and always finds the easy seams in a defense to squeak in for lay-ups and dunks.
Like I said, Tim Duncan is arguably the greatest power forward in the game's history. He always seems to trod around the court, force a few turnovers, make some stops on "d" and snatch a couple rebounds. When I watch him, I feel like he's not doing much. Then they put his stats up and he has something like 29 points, 16 boards and 4 blocked shots. He dominates the paint but he does it in such a way where he isn't flashy and that it looks like a Sega Genesis version of NBA Live because he uses the same repertoire of moves to score.
High basketball IQ and a insurmountable amount of toughness when he needs it. The defining moment for me with Duncan was during the Denver series when the Spurs were down and there was a timeout on the floor. Now, the cameras cut to Duncan and were focused on him where it was almost like he was looking into the lens. He just shouted one word at a teammate and gave this look that gave me that feeling in the pit of my stomach when my Mom used to yell at me. Duncan commands respect from his teammates and the opposing players . . . and from me as well.I'm gonna be frustrated watching this series. San Antonio is going to get phantom fouls called, Duncan will give his "who?? ME!?" look, Manu will hit the floor when Lisa Salters approaches him for an interview following the game and San Antonio's coaching staff will dissect everything the Cavs bring out on the court. Having LeBron in this series evens things out with the refs because he'll get the superstar calls that he earned from the Detroit series.
If I could tell you my dream scenario, Cleveland comes out firing, LeBron barrels through every Spurs' guard like a running back running through would-be tacklers and somehow Eric Snow is named Finals MVP.
Hey, its my dream!
But in reality, I think Cleveland have a chance in this series. But San Antonio is too good and won't make give the Cavaliers a breath to breathe. If I was a man judging on emotions, I'd say Spurs in 6. If I was a betting man, Spurs in 5.
Pretty boys...
Pretty boys...Our 42 of the Day
Former Cavalier and NBA great Nate Thurmund
with his number 42 jersey, now retired for the Cavaliers' franchise
Former Cavalier and NBA great Nate Thurmundwith his number 42 jersey, now retired for the Cavaliers' franchise
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