We all remember the San Antonio Spurs reaching a Game 7 with the Miami Heat this past year. The series was hard-fought, however, the Spurs ended up with a loss. Once again, the Spurs have one of the top-notch records in the league and they are lighting up with fire as they are shooting for that title once again. The Miami Heat put a dagger in their plans but the Spurs are hungrier than ever now that their chances to win are even higher.
The Spurs are too old to win a title this year? Not so quick! The Spurs may be old but does “too old” fit them as they went to Game 7 in the NBA Finals last year? It is true, Tim Duncan is 37 years old. Manu Ginobili is 36 years old and Tony Parker is 31 years old. However, experience obviously overcame age. Showing us that age didn’t matter was a huge message the San Antonio Spurs were sending out to all of us last year. The Spurs are a team that have went to the playoffs every year since Gregg Popovich took the head coaching position, while Duncan has also been with the team for all 4 championships. Having these veterans on their team is also a major factor into why they have been so successful.
Popovich is an excellent coach. He is right under Phil Jackson and Pat Riley in terms of coaching. Popovich is a great leader to his team, on and off the court. He has taken his team to the playoffs every year since he joined them. Popovich is known for gaining large leads while also being clutch and creating hysterical answers for the media’s questions. He has taught his team to handle the media in the same way creating less stress in their lives and also helping them become better characters. It’s safe to say that as long as Gregg Popovich is coaching the San Antonio Spurs, the team will go extremely far and be extremely successful.
Some could argue that the reason for the loss last year was on Coach Popovich. Some could argue that the reason for the loss last year was on Tim Duncan. Some could argue that the reason for the loss last year was on Manu Ginobili. The truth is, they lost as a team and have grown from it. They have learned from their mistakes and this year, their chances for the title are looking much better. The Spurs are always a team that have a top-notch record in the NBA but this year, they are right below the Indiana Pacers, who have the best record in the NBA and the Spurs may go ahead of them a few times during this season.
The one name that was not brought up in terms of losing was future hall-of-famer, Tony Parker. Parker is the starting PG for the San Antonio Spurs. Being in the PG position, Parker has learned how to be a leader on the floor from his coach. He is described the relationship with Popovich as a “father-son relationship”. Duncan has also helped Parker evolve into this and he described him as his “big brother.” Once Duncan retires, as he soon will, Parker will take the role of leading the team every year and taking his team to the finals every year. Now, Parker is practicing the role because he knows the time is near, and he’s doing an extraordinary job.
The chances for the San Antonio Spurs going back to the Finals is still looking good this year once you look at everyone’s records. The Spurs are always a team to go far and it will be fun watching Tony Parker leading his team throughout this entire NBA season.
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