Without the taste of failure, you can’t enjoy the full taste of success. That especially applies to the San Antonio Spurs, who after a heart-breaking loss in 7 games in the 2013 NBA Finals, coming six seconds away from the crown in game 6, secured yet another title in the “Tim Duncan Era”, erasing all the bitter taste that still remained from last year.
“It makes last year OK,” said Tim Duncan. As usual, the Spurs Power Forward’s words were very simple and efficient, but the lack of sugar coating in this phrase just how beautiful this win is for the whole team. Ginobili added a little more developed statement to portray the feeling of ecstasy the whole organisation is feeling after their thumping 4-1 win in the series: “Last year was a tough one for all of us, we felt like we had the trophy, that we were touching it, and it slipped away. It was a tough summer. We all felt guilty.”
But the question now stands: What next for the Spurs? After a league best 62 wins in the regular season came a mind blowing playoff run (the toughest series being their first round match up against Texan rivals Dallas, ironically), San Antonio looked on top of the world, hungry as ever to bounce back after last year. Now that the objective has been reached, that San Antonio have proved the doubters wrong by winning their 5th title in 15 years, it’s hard to see what the Spurs have got to play for next season. Also, one question hangs in the air like a burden for Spurs fans; although right now the joy of the championship is on the front stage, Tim Duncan’s professional career may be coming to an end…
Though the man himself seems undecided, small hints have been let out to say that this final ring may conclude what has been an incredible career for the Big Fundamental: “Just the close of a career. I know it’s coming to an end,” Duncan said. “Don’t know if I’ll ever have a chance to do this again. My kids and all we’ve been through, just a real emotional time.”
Even though Tim Duncan may not retire, it is clear that a sense of final achievement for the Spurs Big Three is present. However, the argument of age is totally irrelevant. Why? Because every year it is the same story, people doubt the Spurs, claim that their time has passed, that old age has finally gotten the better of them, yet year in year out they somehow manage to be a contender, and even a winner. Therefore, if Tim Duncan doesn’t choose to retire, the future is still bright for the Big Three, and even if he does, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili still have some great years ahead of them.
In addition to this, the strength of this team revolves around how the Big Three is not the only quality in the roster. The future lies in the hands of one of the most promising players for the next decade: Kawhi Leonard. In 2011, he was drafted as the 15th pick for the Spurs, and three years later he has just been crowned Finals MVP thanks to his staggering performances during the playoffs. At the age of 22 to be able to perform so well on such a big stage, with such huge players around him, whilst remaining humble and down to earth is the sign of a great player.
Alongside Kawhi, players like Boris Diaw, Patty Mills and Tiago Splitter can be expected to carry on making San Antonio such a great franchise. Boris Diaw is 32, and yet seems to be getting better and better every season, and players like Cory Joseph (22 years old) still have a lot to learn from their ideal surroundings. All these players are perfect fits for Gregg Poppovich’s side- Humble, efficient and selfless, and that’s just what allowed them to win the NBA Finals with the biggest ever point differential. When the Spurs are looking short of breath and out of momentum, anyone on the team can rise up and create a spark for this side, as Patty Mills showed in the third quarter of game 5. It seems that any player on this roster could deserve a starting spot, and yet none of them seemed to be concerned about starting in the lime light. With that mentality, San Antonio have a bright future ahead of them. If everyone can remain calm and cool headed, and if coach Pop can continue to have the perfect balance of experience, youth and efficiency, expect to see the Spurs contending for the title many years to come.
So whatever Tim Duncan decides, this franchise will have undoubtedly shown to the basketball world that teamwork beats individuality, and that hard work will always pays off. And it will continue to do so for many years.
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