Everything that is the San Antonio Spurs was on full display in yesterday’s Game 7 vs the New Orleans Hornets …
* The steadfastness of their unflappable head coach, Gregg Popovich
* The stellar work of their Superstar … ‘The Big Fundamental’, Tim Duncan
* The big game readiness of their important role players, off the bench … Michael Finley (11 MP; 2-2, FGA; 2-2, 3FGA; 4 Rebs), Robert Horry (14+ MP; 2-4, FGA; 2-4, 3FGA; 4 Rebs), Kurt Thomas (7+ MP; 1-2, FGA; 6 Rebs), Ime Udoka (21 MP; 3-7, FGA; 2-5, 3FGA; 4 Rebs)
* The glue guy contributions of their two ‘lesser light’ starters, ‘the Karate Kid‘ (28 MP; 2-5, 3 FGA; lockdown D vs Stojakovic) and ‘l’Hombre‘ (32 MP; 2-2, FGA; 9 Rebs)
* The courageous play of the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, Tony Parker … who took and made the biggest shot of the Spurs’ season, thus far, with the game on the line
and … last but NOT least …
* GINOBILI!!!
When you play ‘the game’ The Way the Spurs do …
(post-game interview last night)
Craig Sager (TNT’s Sideline Reporter): You lost the first two games of this series, then your coach made a big change, he put the Sixth Man of The Year, yourself, in the starting line-up, you won 4 of the next 5 … are you comfortable with starting now against the Lakers this next series?
GINOBILI: I’m just comfortable winning …
and
“… as long as you understand the game, and you want to get better, and you want to win …” – Manu Ginobili
see the following vid-clips for further details …
(1)
(2)
it is going to take a very special team to dethrone the reigning NBA Champions.
The LA Lakers await … in what promises to be a fantastic playoff series!
Tags: Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto, Gregg Popovich, Ime Udoka, Kurt Thomas, Manu Ginobili, Michael Finley, New Orleans Hornets, Robert Horry, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker
Khandor's Sports Blog 
May 20, 2008 at 10:09 am |
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May 20, 2008 at 10:25 am |
The good teams figure a way to come out on top. Congrats Spurs. Lakers vs Spurs should be a great series…. but not as close as the New Orleans series…
May 20, 2008 at 1:54 pm |
tott,
Thanks for your comment.
Who do you see with the advantage in the Lakers/Spurs match-up?
May 20, 2008 at 2:26 pm |
I really dislike the Spurs. I don’t find any joy watching them play. I wonder how much money a Spurs-Pistons series will make VS Lakers-Celtics.
May 20, 2008 at 3:23 pm |
Sorrow,
Spurs hate is a curious thing.
Basketball is played in 3 parts … Offense, Defense & Rebounding … which San Antonio has integrated in its approach to the game, as well or better than any NBA organization operating today.
What don’t you enjoy about the way the Spurs play Offense, Defense & Rebound, relentlessly? … with the ultimate ‘Team Ethos’.
IMO … like the Celtics, Pistons and Lakers, this season … the Spurs are a joy to watch play, again and again.
May 20, 2008 at 5:24 pm |
You know why K?
Cuz they are like the ‘”villain” Cobra Kai dojo in The Karate Kid, that you reference so often to them.
Pop is the evil sensei that tell them to go out and break Ralph’s leg.
Bobby – I want him out of commission.
Bobby: But Sensei, I can beat this guy!
Kreese: I don’t want him beaten.
Bobby: But I’ll be disqualified!
Kreese: Out of commission.
The whole win at all costs thing rubs people the wrong way.
From the movie:
“We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. Here, in the streets, in competition: A man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy.”
Bobby – I want him out of commission.
Bobby: But Sensei, I can beat this guy!
Kreese: I don’t want him beaten.
Bobby: But I’ll be disqualified!
Kreese: Out of commission.
Kreese: Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it?
Karate Class: NO, SENSEI!
Kreese: Pain does not exist in this dojo, does it?
Karate Class: NO, SENSEI!
Kreese: Defeat does not exist in this dojo, does it?
Karate Class: NO, SENSEI!
Kreese:What do we study here?
Karate Class: THE WAY OF THE FIST SIR.
Kreese: And what is that way?
Karate Class: STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY SIR.
Kreese: I can’t hear you.
Karate Class: STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY SIR.
May 20, 2008 at 5:33 pm |
Obviously, Bobby is Bruce or Bob, depending on the situation.
(hmmm.. interesting… intials are the same 🙂 )
Kreese is Pop.
I bet you were rooting for the Cobra Kai in the movie? C’mon, admit it, you know you were!!! 😛
May 20, 2008 at 8:31 pm |
Flux,
Actually, that’s pretty funny … cause you’ve got the entire scenario flipped upside down …
Coach Pop … IS … Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita)
and
the Spurs (collectively) … ARE … Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchia)
and
Eva Longoria (individually) … IS … Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue, not related to Gene! … which is precisely something which only Jeff Van Gundy would know AND say right away! … jeez, I love how that guy announces NBA games!)
Wax on … wax off … playing world class hoops, The Right Way. now that they be all growed up and plenty capable of fighting their own battles or, when need be, turning the other cheek and walking away, to fight another day … perhaps on behalf of someone else less fortunate than themselves … to have studied under the Master, ‘Air Force One‘.
Wax on … wax off … the Spurs are standing on the rock … Crane style … poised to strike, should the opponent make an error … with their orange jello in-hand, their canes and wheel-chairs mere after-thoughts, for another day.
Apocolypse Now … is at-hand, in San Antone! 🙂
May 21, 2008 at 5:41 pm |
Wow-zah. Finally somebody who isn’t going to plummet to a low level and bash Manu Ginobili or the Spurs. I got the Spurs beating the Lake Show in 7 games.
May 21, 2008 at 6:31 pm |
Troy,
Wow-zah … right back, atcha … and Welcome Aboard!
For those still with blinkers on, re: GINOBILI! …
my sympathy truly does go out to you.
Comets like this one come around so infrequently … and you are doing yourself a disservice by not being able to appreciate it, barrelling through our night sky.
“The most exciting European player … EVER.“ – Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson (to Manu Ginobili, face-to-face)
PS. I will forgive Magic for referring to Manu as a European player (cause we know what he means) when, in fact, he’s an Argentine.
May 21, 2008 at 6:52 pm |
All I know is that I have a tray of orange jello sitting around here..sooner or later they will be served. It’s only a matter by whom and def. NOT TO whom. :p
May 21, 2008 at 7:20 pm |
Flux,
Are you sure you didn’t mean to say,
“that orange jello’s sitting in yet another (Manu) GINOBILI! trey.”
============================================
“The King is Dead. The King is Dead. Lone Live the King.” … just not today, in LA.
PS. Althhough it IS inevitable, someday. 🙂
May 21, 2008 at 7:32 pm |
LOL… nice—> “that orange jello’s sitting in yet another (Manu) GINOBILI! trey.”
*clapping*
——————
Mamba vs The Cobra Kai losing tonight?
Now that you have (very minimally) restored my faith in the game, combined with my refusal to let the powers of manipulation ruin my love it, I will catch a glimpse of tonight’s “performance” while letting my avtar speak for itself.
May 21, 2008 at 9:07 pm |
Flux,
I just joined a Live Blog for tonight’s game being hosted by a fellow blogger at
http://www.laballtalk.com/
Would be great to have you drop by, if you’re available. 🙂
May 21, 2008 at 9:22 pm |
C’mon! What insight do I have? 😛 umm little guy should pass to the big guy! lol..
May 21, 2008 at 9:32 pm |
Flux,
Funny is always good. 🙂
And you is funny.
May 21, 2008 at 10:08 pm |
Thanks for Invite..: )
May 21, 2008 at 10:42 pm |
You are in a league of your own, Sir!!