Spurs vs. Pistons...my kind of Hoops
June 9, 2005
The 2005 NBA Finals are set to begin; and, I couldn't be happier. I'm not happy simply because one of the participating teams -- the Detroit Pistons -- is my favorite team (that's merely the cherry on top of the sundae). I'm happy because the Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs play basketball the way I like it: as a team. These two teams epitomize what I've long believed: teams, not individuals, win championships.
I have never been big on star power; glitz and glamour; or fame and fortune. I simply go about my business and get things done which is how the Spurs and the Pistons play basketball. The most recognized player in this series is Spurs forward (yes, forward -- he's not a center) Tim Duncan. Tim is the best player -- on offense and defense -- in the NBA today. He's been named to the NBA's First Team his first eight seasons in the league; but, he still isn't considered a star because he doesn't do anything flashy. He's not an "MTV personality" nor is a jet-setter or a fashion trend-setter. He's not one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in the world. He's Tim Duncan, a.k.a. The Big Fundamental. Tim gets it done on the court: scoring in the post; banking perimeter shots off the backboard; rebounding; passing; dribbling; blocking shots. Despite Tim's myriad of skills, he's described as boring. Though Tim doesn't seek the spotlight, he's not as soft-spoken as Shaquille O'Neal. Heck, on occasion, Shaq practically mumbles when he speaks to the media; but, people love Shaq.
Two of Tim's teammates, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker, are more popular outside the United States. Manu is hugely popular in Argentina and Italy while Tony is "the Man" in France. Yet, neither guy is popular in America except in the city of San Antonio. Tony's friend-girl / girlfriend, Eva Longoria, is more popular than he is.
The Pistons are not flashy nor are they famous. Despite having the best starting five in the entire NBA, tv stations and the media paid little attention to the Pistons this season. If the "Palace brawl" would not have occurred in November, the national media would have practically ignored the Pistons until the Eastern Conference Finals when they battled the Miami Heat; and, remember, the Pistons are the NBA's defending champs! The Pistons won the 2004 title! During the Eastern Conference Finals, the national media spent more time discussing the possibility of Pistons' head coach Larry Brown leaving than discussing the team playing the Heat.
The Spurs gained more national recognition in a loss to the Phoenix Suns (re: Duncan's dunk attempt getting blocked by Phoenix sensation Amare Stoudemire) in the Western Conference Finals than they did after they won the first three games of the series including winning the first in Phoenix.
As great a player as Michael Jordan was, he did not win any of the six Bulls championships by himself. Jordan was a spectacular NBA player his first six seasons in the league; but, he did not win a championship until his teammates were good enough to help him. Shaq and Kobe Bryant were a dynamic duo; but, they had help from their teammates to win the three titles. Hakeem Olajuwon had an outstanding career; but, he did not win his two championship rings by himself. The same should be said for Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Isiah Thomas. As great as those three Hall-of-Famers played year in and year out, none of them won the NBA title every season. Teams win championships.
The Spurs and Pistons can score in transition and they can score in the half court. Both teams can get stops on defense when needed and both teams make the extra pass to the open teammate. Isn't that how basketball is supposed to be played? As exciting (and as potent) as the Phoenix Suns offensive attack was to watch this season, they lost to the Spurs because they lacked balance and they simply could not get stops when they had to have them. The Miami Heat lost to the Pistons because the Pistons executed better down the stretch than the Heat. Detroit's execution in Game 7 in the final minutes (on the road, no less) should be applauded and appreciated. Keep in mind, during these 2005 playoffs, the Pistons and the Spurs each closed out their last two playoff series (Detroit in Indiana and Miami; San Antonio in Seattle and Phoenix) on the road which means both of the teams deserve a lot of credit not criticism.
As much credit as the Spurs and the Pistons deserve for reaching the NBA Finals, one of the true ironies is the league itself spends more time promoting the Finals as an event featuring music performers than the actual participants. Yet, the league wonders why more teams don't play team oriented basketball. Basketball a team sport? Imagine that. Let the series begin...
