I am, far and away, a football guy. However, ever since I moved to SoCal in the early 80s and was able to partake of the Kareem/Magic Johnson Lakers of the that period, I have been a moderate NBA fan. Upon returning to Texas in 1990, and with the retirement of the Laker team I watched, I began watching the San Antonio Spurs and David Robinson–who was a phenonemal player and a terrific human being. So, for 15ish years I have been a pretty substantial Spurs fan, although I am no NBA fantatic–indeed, the NBA playoffs are mostly there to help sate my sports appetite until training camp starts.
At any rate, I am please to see the Spurs back in the finals and am officially picking them to win in 6. I think that while both are solid clubs, that SA is more versatile and deeper. Of course, I am no BB.
Still, feel free to make your own predictions–and we can check back when it’s all said and done.
June 9th, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Spurs in 5. Detroit wins game 3 only.
June 9th, 2024 at 8:16 pm
I share Rob’s enthusiasm for the Spurs, and bemoan your fascination with the Magic-era Lakers (being a Bird-era Celtics fan myself). However, I think you’re probably better with the six game prediction. But, the Spurs dismantled the best run-and-gun teams in the west and showed that they could play eastern conference slow-ball defense as well. They also have the x-factor himself: robert horry (who I enjoyed in the two championships he helped bring to Houston with Hakeem).
So, I’m thinking six, but I’m hoping 5 for the Spurs. I’d have much preferred a Spurs-Heat series, since at least there would have been some excitement. I anticipate paint drying in this series unless Popovich decides to let Ginobli and Parker run the floor.
June 9th, 2024 at 8:23 pm
Both of these teams are well-coached, deep in talent, and play outstanding team ball. Both teams fully understand the team concept, something that both coaches stress.
Neither team’s players care who the star is on any given night and can get the ball to the hot hand, well. Add to that, these are the two best defensive teams in the league and you have the makings of a great series.
It’s tough to pick, but I will take Detroit. They are the champs, until someone says they are not.
PS. I am a Laker fan from the days of Wilt, Jerry, Happy, and Elgin. The Magic and Kareem era was great too, as was the Shaq/Kobe. But unless Kobe grows up, they will not win anything until he is gone. Kobe wants to a Jordan, but until he realizes that Michael made all of his teammates better, he will be just another Allen Iverson, a ball hog.
June 10th, 2024 at 12:00 am
LASunsett,
care to change your prediction based on the outcome of tonight’s game. The Pistons were unable to handle the Spurs in the fourth period.
Say what you will about the vaunted Pistons defense, but their offense is basically non-existent compared to the spurs, who can score 120 with the Suns and turn right around and hold them under 100 the next night.
I’m also amazed that you’re going to go against the best pure center the game has going right now in Tim Duncan (I hardly consider Shaq a pure center in the line of Russell, Chamberlain and Jabbar).
The spurs right now remind me a lot of the Rockets the two years they won the championship. Olajuwon was also a pure center who made those around him better, and he had great point guard play from Kenny Smith and E.T., and – again – the x-factor: Robert Horry.
Neither team’s players care who the star is on any given night and can get the ball to the hot hand, well.
For the Spurs, that hasn’t proven true as far as getting the ball to the hot hand. They’ve ALL had the hot hand. And that’s what makes them especially difficult. Say what you will about Rip Hamilton and Chauncy Billups and the anorexic Tayshawn Prince, but they don’t match up to Parker, Ginobli and Bowen.
June 15th, 2024 at 6:32 am
[...] 5
2-1
By Dr. Steven Taylor @ 6:30 am
Pistons 96, Spurs 79 Given that I predicted the Spurs in 6, this is no surprise, but I did think/was hoping that they were going to play bette [...]