In what was expected to be a less than exciting rematch of the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons title game from a few years back comes a pleasant surprise. Last week on the back of LeBron James, and to be fair in game five Houston Native and former University of Texas point guard, Daniel Gibson, the Cleveland Cavaliers have found themselves in the thick of things and playing for the NBA Finals Championship.
This first time appearance by LeBron and the Cavs has been receiving a lot of attention, and yes it certainly does add some flair to what could have been a simple repeat of the title game two year's ago. Instead it will be the NBA's favorite marketing tool, against the championship team the bean counters in the NBA hate, yes those for me beloved San Antonio Spurs. While the Spurs have begun to build a modern dynasty in the NBA and if not already, will undeniably be added to arguments of best all-time by winning a fourth title in 9 years are still not the NBA's choice for anything.
After all you have a small market and a bunch of guys that do not exactly thrill the common basketball fan, or so "they" say. In the Spurs you have a fundamentally sound, ferocious defense and a good guy image. That does not work in this league that is used to Jordan, Kobe and Shaq, showboating and big markets are what it is all about.
Yet, the Spurs are able to keep fighting and they just persist. Now fortunately for the NBA they have their star in Lebron ready to explode on the scene and take the world by storm.
King James
Taking nothing away from LeBron, I have even enjoyed watching this coming of age, but I also have the respect for the game to realize that this one man show is in for a lot of trouble. He will certainly be the star of this series and may even score 35 a game, but that is where his bubble will be burst.
He just wrapped up a series where no one player could stop him and it is important to note the fact that this was in the weak Eastern Conference. The same conference who with the exception of a great Dwayne Wade and Shaq performance against a bunch of choke job Mav's is dominated consistently by the Western Conference. With that I introduce LeBron to the NBA's NUMBER ONE DEFENSE, oh and Bruce Bowen.
The Silent Assassin
Now as for who the Most Valuable Player of this Championship series is going to be, well I believe the above mentioned "Silent Assassin" says it all. It says Tim Duncan, the NBA's one true great since Jordan's dismal departure from this league, and possibly one of the greatest post players to ever touch the court.
Duncan has persevered though a great deal, with people beginning to call him old he has rejuvenated and come back with a roar. Duncan will bring his quiet and "unexciting style of play" to this showdown and dominate with it to the end. This will be a moment I believe for all of us to remember as the San Antonio Spurs follow their leader where ever he chooses to take them.
Predictions
I believe the Spurs have the ability to take this series in 4 and if they play with their heads on, and Manu does not get carried away they could do just that. I have respect for this Cleveland team as well and must admit they bring a formidable defense to the game, with that in mind, SPURS IN FIVE!
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