For all the Marbles and whatever else you can think of
Well now that the NBA Finals` parings are set with the San Antonio Spurs representing the Western Conference , where their opposition, are the highly favored Miami Heat of the Eastern Conference . Led by reigning four-time League MVP Lebron James , the Heat will be looking to make a successful defense of their NBA title . This might not be the postseason finale that everyone had hoped for amongst the throng of NBA fans , as a more lucrative finale might well have been envisaged , with a Miami Heat match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder or Los Angeles Lakers within the Western Conference , being the desired option .
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Slideshow .
The two opposing coaches could not be more diametrically opposite , with a seasoned veteran in Gregg Popovich , and his opposing number being , Erik Spoelstra , seeking to add a second title to is resume` . For Spoelstra , the additional factor , beyond his knowledge of the game , is that his mentor and team President Pat Riley will be presiding over this series with the demeanor of an individual who is proud of his young protege . There is no doubt that the Miami Heat were by far the best team in the NBA this season , without reflecting on their overall record or the idiocy of the New York Knicks` fans bemoaning the fact that having beat Miami during the regular season and taking their regular season series (3-1) . It is quite clear that within New York and perhaps farther afield , fans of the franchise are not all that bright . Suffice to say , what happens in the regular season simply counts for nothing , or simply paraphrasing ___ “ what happens in Vegas , stays in Vegas “ .
Now while LeBron James seeks to add to is already glowing career, this future Hall of Fame player , has simply excelled this season , far surpassing his exploits of the previous season . One has to wonder , where Miami would be without James` exploits over the regular season and into this postseason . He has led this Heat team in almost every offensive category that matters , and LeBron James has proven to be a defensive stalwart on a roster , that during the postseason , has not been all that exhilarating . Contributions from Chris Bosh , Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade can best described as somewhat anemic , if not downright dire at times . There is no denying that the bench or should one say the presumed role players on the Miami Heat roster will have to step up their game against a San Antonio Spurs` team that in should no way be underestimated . There is a damn good reason that Popovich has been behind and the main architect of a franchise , which he has successfully , led to four NBA titles over the course of his now historic reign .
Players such as Mario Chalmers , Norris Cole , James Jones , Chris Anderson , Shane Battier , Mike Miller , Juwan Howard , Rashard Lewis , will be called upon at various points in this series to make various contributions . Erik Spoelstra will make demands of his players and quite rightly so , as failure to be even competitive against San Antonio , could very well lead to dire consequences .
James , Wade and Bosh , are meant to strike to fear into the hearts of rivals and foes alike. Yet somehow , in the Eastern Conference Finals , against the Indiana Pacers , a series that went to an astonishing seven games , came as a great surprise to analysts fans alike . Miami never really had an answer for Roy Hibbert , David West and Paul George , and were it not for the postseason inexperience of a young Pacers` team , this conference finals` series could very well have provided us with the privilege of seeing Miami dethroned as the defending conference champions in such a surprising manner .
If LeBron James` career can now be described as being or approaching a description of being Jordanesque . Then the career of Tim Duncan has to be one , that would place the power forward on the Mount Rushmore of the titans to have played that coveted position in NBA history . Duncan played alongside one of the great big men of the modern-day game , in David Robinson . The Master and student coexisted and led to the franchise to the first of their four titles in 1999 . Duncan a first round draft pick by San Antonio in the 1997 NBA Draft . The series` victory …. over the New York Knicks proved to be an apt finale of Robinson`s now illustrious career , as he bowed out , riding off into the sunset and retirement , as an NBA titlist and Hall of Fame inductee , a few years later .
In the subsequent years the NBA Draft would prove to be fortuitous for the San Antonio Spurs as Gregg Popovich and his staff would proceed to acquire some extremely productive players , while also attaining players notably seasoned veterans via free agency or the customary off-season trades . The addition of Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker can only be seen as momentous events in San Antonio`s history as an NBA franchise . With the Argentinian and French man simply bringing along their extraordinary skill-set to a mid-market NBA team that was always seen , as being well ran , under the auspices of team owner Peter Holt and GM R C Buford . They may well do things big in Texas , but in San Antonio , this has been a franchise that has gone about doing it all , the right way , without the need to cause a big splash or make complete of fools of themselves in the process . Please take a hint Mark Cuban , Jerry Jones , Tom Gaglardi and Nolan Ryan . In recent years other than the Dallas Mavericks` triumph in 2011 , there really has not been much that as been really achieved by your respective professional sports` franchises , that you seemingly parade about as a bastion of opulence , rather than attaining actual tangible success .
Parker and Ginobli have been great complementary pieces to Tim Duncan over the years , with the trio providing some of the richest moments for the San Antonio Spurs over the past decade . Three titles together , has proven to be a greater reward than even most observers would have come to expect from this triumvirate , with each player having distinguished themselves at the highest levels possible on the NBA` s greatest stage , its postseason finale .
Gregg Popovich will seek some solid production from the likes of Kawhi Leonard , Dajuan Blair , Boris Diaw , Matt Bonner , Danny Green , Tiago Splitter and Gary Neal throughout the course of this series . One of the stranger stories to have taken place with regard to the Spurs , was Popovich`s decision to sign veteran Tracy McGrady . The fifteen-year career veteran , a two-time scoring champion and multiple with All Star appearances , one now has to deem it , McGrady , is now the process of winding down his career , seeking to win that all too elusive first NBA championship ring . Whether or not McGrady ascends to those heights of acclaim , while providing the Spurs with a much-needed lift , remains to be seen over the course of the NBA Finals . Game one kicks of what hopefully, will be a seven game series, if merely to whet the appetite of the fans and the NBA hierarchy .
One of the few things that the NBA cannot afford to have happen during this NBA Finals would be for the series to be a lopsided series of uncompetitive games. LeBron James will undoubtedly seek to impose his will upon this series , while hoping to maintain his postseason scoring average .
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Picture gallery .
Whatever, the outcome of the NBA Finals , this series should prove to be historic , for a number of reasons . LeBron James comes away with his second title in three years . A San Antonio Spurs` victory adds to that franchise`s already impressive history , and that of their Big Three , and their well-respected head coach. The true NBA fans , should be in for a real treat and a feast of exhilarating entertainment . Your thoughts on this upcoming series ? Leave a comment as you see fit .
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Picture and slideshow details below .
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(1) Tim Duncan , left, is seen here with teammate David Robinson . Two years after being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs Duncan would make his first appearance in an NBA Final . The duo would lead the franchise to their first NBA title , with a series` victory over the New York Knicks in the 1999 NBA Finals . AP Photo / Mark Jameson ….
(2) MIAMI – JULY 09: LeBron James (6) , Dwyane Wade (3), and Chris Bosh (1) , of the Miami Heat show off their new game jerseys before a press conference after a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Architect of the move , team President Pat Riley and approved by team owner Micky Arison , the trio and their teammates were assembled not only to win multiple titles but to also make Miami Heat franchise a more profitable and lucrative concern for their billionaire owner . Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images …
(3) Gregg Popovich, left, a four-time winning NBA title coach , seeks to add a fifth Finals` series victory to is resume` . Whereas, is opposite number Erik Spoelstra seeks to add what will be his second title in his third consecutive appearance in the NBA postseason finale . Courtesy of NBA.com @ copyrighted material all rights reserved ….
(4) Miami Heat’s LeBron James , left, talks with Chris Andersen , right, during NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, June 5, 2013 in Miami. The Heat play the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky …
(5) Tim Duncan (21) , center, is seen here alongside teammates , Manu Ginobli (20) and Tony Parker (9) in a game played against the Phoenix Suns this season . The Spurs would prove to be victorious defeating the Suns .on their way to a 58-24 record in the Western Conference placing as the second seeds , yet once again winning their division all too convincingly . Getty Images North America / Adam Knox ………….
(6) San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan , left, and shooting guard Tracy McGrady celebrate on the bench during the fourth quarter of Game 6 of a Western Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 16, 2013. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez ….
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tophatal ………. 06/05/2013
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Tophatal's Blog 
If the Spurs are able to split the first two games of this series against the Heat , then the 2013 NBA Finals should prove to be very interesting between these two exceptional teams .
Two of the best ever to play the game , but who will come out victorious and for his team and quite possibly be the Finals MVP ? Tim Duncan & LeBron James
Game one preview . Game two 06/09/2013 .
tophatal ………………
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Doesn’t sound like you’re giving your Spurs much of a chance, Al.
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Chris Humpherys (@Sportschump)
As a devout San Antonio Spurs` fan , I am more than know what this Spurs` team is capable of doing and the piece wasn`t written as a fan showing a bias towards one team over another , but from a viewpoint of an NBA fan hoping to see an exceptional series .
Spurs vs Miami in head to head games this season . Don`t read a great deal into the series , as controversy surrounded one game that led to a $250,000 fine for Popovich and the franchise , after he rested two of the Spurs` Big Three .
tophatal …………
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Chris
This series will come down to more than match-ups but also down to the coaching acumen of Gregg Popovich and Erik Spoelstra .
tophatal ……….
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I just hope its a good series. Seven games would be great.
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It could very well be one of the better series of recent years , unlike last season`s one sided debacle . I believe LeBron James facing off against … Tim Duncan should prove to be far too enticing for even the mildest of sports` observer to overlook .
tophatal ……………
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Tim duncan is a great player. The Spurs have some very good pieces that can match up with Heat. San Antonio gives Miami some very real problems.
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bobby gee
Tim Duncan still still remains a very productive player and he as proven his doubters wrong . What could very well derail the Miami Heat is that during the regular and postseason they have simply been a very poor rebounding team on both ends of the floor .
tophatal …………………..
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Tim Duncan is a great player. He came out of Wake Forest and learned from the best David Robinson
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I believe that Tim Duncan has , maybe , one or two more good years left in him , before he calls it quits .
tophatal ……..
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Yes he has. Spurs beat Miami- So the series is on.
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Not only is this series on , but now we really will get to see how good , allegedly , Miami is said to be , rather than what analysts and fans perceive them to be .
topatal ……………..
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We will find out real fast.
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And based on last night`s evidence . I think that we are likely to find that out , sooner rather than later . The Spurs` defense simply locked down LeBron , holding him to a mere eighteen points in the game .
tophatal ………..
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Tim Duncan learned from the best David Robinson
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And that is one of the many reasons why Duncan`s game is so respected by peers and foes alike .
tophatal ………
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Not content with a rather underwhelming … season , the front office of the Denver Nuggets , choose to fire head coach George Karl , completely missing the point that the failings this past season was simply not the coach’s fault or even his alone . As it can be best summed up by the disinterest shown by the franchise and that of the team`s owner , Stanley Kroenke .
Kroenke in spite of his wealth , has shown himself to be a pompous ass ,as the owner of a number of professional sports` franchises . He has made Premiership soccer club Arsenal , a complete laughing stock around the globe , ever since he assumed control of that soccer club .
Would you be inspired and motivated by this man ? Stanley Kroenke
Denver Nuggets news
NBA news
tophatal ……………
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I think if Dwyane Wade weren’t injured, the Heat would be the definite favorite. But since his play has dropped off, I think the Spurs have the advantage as of now. But if Wade can get it going, and gets into ta groove, then the Heat could win in six.
Then again if LeBron can raise the level of his game even higher than it already is, which might be impossible, then the Heat might win it in five. But what if Duncan does the same thing? There are a lot of variables here making this series very hard to predict.
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Over the last eighteen months Dwyane Wade has spent more time trying to get into Gabrielle Union`s draws , than he has in recuperating his bad knees . If I were in his place , I`d be doing the same thing as well ………… trying to get into Gabriell Union`s draws !
Gabrille Union . A fine piece of @ss !
tophatal …………………
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Gabrielle Union is fine indeed. But at this point Wade seems even more concerned with his wacky fashion choices than he is with her or winning a championship.
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That might not be a fashion choice or one of two other issues . He is color blind or his fashion consultant is color blind . Personally , I think that they are both color blind , with a considerable lack of fashion coordination and damn common sense !
D-Wade get a goddamn clue with regard to your fashion sense , man .
tophatal ……………..
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Wade is playing on borrowed time , as he`s getting old before his time right in-front of our very eyes . Tired legs , aching knees and he has never truly recovered properly from his first knee surgery . Proof of that came last night in Miami`s … loss in game one to San Antonio .
NBA news
tophatal …………
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The same thing happened to Tracy McGrady. One day he was a dominant athlete, and then next he was a mere shadow of what he once was. But D-Wade was a phenom in his prime.
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A lot of these so called athletes simply don`t know how to really take care of their bodies and how best to recuperate from an injury , in spite of hiring a $300 or $400 an hour personal trainer and then having a dietician within their midst .
tophatal ……….
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Maurice Barksdale
The only real variable in this series will be , who else on this Heat roster has the mental and physical toughness of LeBron James ? If that isnt shown by any of his teammates , then Miami will end up losing this series . I do not believe I can put it anymore succinctly than that ! If you want further proof , then look at last night`s box-score , play by play , series stats and the live audio as provided .
Game one results , 2013 NBA Finals .
tophatal …………………..
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OK folks so let’s hear it , how and when will the Miami Heat actually step up and truly make these NBA Finals something of a memorable series ?
It has been LeBron James on his own as the Spurs simply lay waste to a Miami team that is being outplayed on both ends of the floor . And proof was there, last night to suggest that this Heat team was on the verge of giving up . That was clearly visible in the post game interviews offered by the Heat players .
Where the hell are Dwyane Wade , Chris Bosh and the other seasoned Miami veterans in this series ? Well , they are actually nowhere to be found as this Heat team is proving to be mentally and physically soft . .
tophatal ………………..
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The Heat will win this series. Finally, we see them winning the rebounding battle, and if the Big Three can play with the same type of balance that they did in game 4 (LeBron and Wade both shot 25 times), the Spurs won’t be able to handle that. Furthermore, Manu and Duncan are struggling, while Parker is suffering from a hamstring injury. The Spurs can’t depend solely on their supporting cast to beat the Heat. Heat in 6 or 7.
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Sam
If Miami takes game five … tonight at the AT&T Center , then the series will be essentially over . However , if San Antonio can find a way to holster LeBron and then force Wade and Bosh to become jump shooters and defend more , while they , themselves (Spurs) , press the paint . Then we have a series on our hands .
Overall the Miami Heat have not played up to anywhere near what was expected by the fans in general or analysts . I believe that many of the bench players of the Heat were and still remain complacent .
It should be noted that it as been a considerable while , since Miami has won back to back games in the postseason .
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