Smack / Jun 15, 2007 / 1:32 am

The Dynasty

By Dime Magazine

Crown ‘em. The San Antonio Spurs are your 2007 NBA champions and officially a dynasty with four ‘chips in nine years (’99, ‘03, ‘05, ‘07). Make that four rings for Tim Duncan, seven for Robert Horry, three for Manu Ginobili and three for Tony Parker — whose Finals MVP (24.5 ppg) gives him the most impressive overall resume of any 25-year-old point guard ever … After the Cavs went down 0-3, it was overheard in the office: “It’s the Finals. No one gets swept, right?” That’s why we at least thought LeBron and Co. could take last night’s game out of sheer pride, but Game 4 ended up looking a lot like Game 3; the Cavs came out energetic and confident (even Eric Snow wasn’t afraid to squeeze off the jumper) before eventually wilting to the Spurs’ defense and turning in another brick-fest (38 percent from the floor and 38 from three). Now LeBron joins J-Kidd, Shaq, Magic, Kareem and Worthy as guys who have been swept in the Finals in their careers … How long ago did David Stern start writing the French-laced MVP presentation speech for Parker? Right after Game 1? Game 2? Back in ‘03 when Parker won his first ‘chip? … The only guy not wearing a championship cap in the Spurs celebration: Duncan. He finished with 12 points, 15 boards and six turnovers: subpar stats for him for the second game in a row. Of course, it just shows how much better San Anton was throughout the series when their superstar can play two mediocre games and they still get W’s against a team that has to win … Even the biggest Spurs hater has to feel happy for Mike Finley, one of the game’s warriors who’s been putting in work for a decade-plus. Does he call it a career now? Or is he going to pull a Payton/Mourning and come back for another year? Gut feeling says Finley comes back for one more run. And by the way, he stands to cash $18.5 million of Mavericks’ paychecks next year whether he plays or not … And think about this: no matter where his career goes from here, James White will always have a ring. So will Melvin Ely and Matt Bonner … Notice how whenever LeBron (24 pts, 6 rebs, 10 asts) caught a halfway decent dunk in the series, they replayed it about 10 times. It’s like they were so desperate for memorable highlights that simple (by ‘Bron standards) one-handers were being treated like some of Vince’s best work … Early in the game, the announcers were talking about how Anderson Varejao still thinks he made the right play with his glass shot at the end of Game 3. Maybe someone will talk him out of that this summer … We knew E-Snow played in the ‘01 Finals with Philly, but we forgot he’d also played in ‘96 with Seattle. He’s like the Thurman Thomas of the NBA … Seriously, Manu, what were you thinking? The Spurs were up by six points with 7.5 ticks left, the Cavs players and fans had basically given up, and Manu (27 pts) tried to block Damon Jones from behind on a three and fouled him. Why? Damon made all three FTs, and suddenly it was a ballgame. Manu got sent to the line and hit his free throws, then LeBron hit a three on the other end to make it a two-point game. Manu went to the line again, stuck two more to ice it, and a few seconds later, Duncan cracked his first smile all year … So what happens with the Cavs now? Austin makes his case for why Mike Brown should get axed, whereas Jed says Brown is getting too much blame. Varejao is the team’s only prominent free agent, and he’s a keeper for them. Chauncey Billups should be their biggest target in free agency, and if not him, Mo Williams. A shooter from the two spot, like a Matt Carroll or even Jerry Stackhouse that can come off the bench and hit shots … Did you check out our Fab 25 list of Dime’s favorite females? Here’s Part 1 (Nos. 25-11) and Part 2 (Nos. 10-1) … We also put up our latest Mock Draft and a look at the NBA’s Top 10 power forwards. Guess who’s No. 1? … We’re out like Cleveland …

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38 Responses to “The Dynasty”

  1. June 15th, 2007 at 1:51 am

    the braine says:

    There is no doubt that the Spurs are a dynasty from 2003 until now but does 1999 count. I mean the Lakers dynasty was between this dynasty. Also Mike Brown is simply not a high caliber coach. His offensive schemes are terrible and honestly, LeBron barely pays attention to his calls in the huddle. LeBron runs the team on and off the floor and that’s never good for a team looking to win a title. You need a sharp basketball mind to shape this team. I agree that a slasher and point guard are essential. I think LeBron can eclipse Kobe one day as the best player in the game but right now he is clearly not close to his level. Kobe has that killer instinct along with the ability to put the ball in the hole from anywhere on the court. How many open shots does Kobe get in a game. 2-3. LeBron can shoot outside the paint all day. You know why, because he hasn’t earned that respect yet.

  2. June 15th, 2007 at 1:51 am

    Dank says:

    i want my life back. worst NBA season ever

  3. June 15th, 2007 at 2:51 am

    Bobby B says:

    @ Dank:
    C’mon man, this wasn’t the worst NBA season ever! Agent 0 had an entertaining all-star season, Kobe’s streak of 50+ point games, Raptors went from Atlantic Division joke to playoff contenders, Warriors upset the Mavs in the 1st round, etc, etc. You’re telling us this was worse than the lockout shortened season?!

  4. June 15th, 2007 at 3:11 am

    William says:

    Manu costs the Spurs their championship last year as well. He stupidly aggresively contested (and got whistled) Dirk on a two point shot when they’re up by 3. They go to OT where Dallas won the game and the series

  5. June 15th, 2007 at 3:36 am

    Dank says:

    ayte, you got me Bobby. you’re right on Agent 0, thats why i ran out and bought his jersey. Kobe had me believing my hometown Lakers could erase the Suns. The Raptors surprised me a year before they were supposed to thrive, and yes, i JUMPED on the warriors bandwagon (and i called Don Nelson my dad about 12 times during that series)

    but…the playoffs, after round 1, were complete bogus. it was dissappointing. the only important news during the entire playoffs was the Kobe saga. i seriously watched 3 minutes of the finals. i hope MAJOR changes are made next season to shake up the league. that should include balancing out the East and West. the last thing on my list that needs to be addressed should be the whole flopping situation. i thought the NBA was going to suspend players for flopping this year. If kobe got suspended for elbowing Manu, Manu shouldve been suspended 20 times during the season for his p***y acts. its bull.

    but you’re right, it was probably the best season up until the playoffs (at least for me)

    Thanks Warriors, Nuggets, Cavs, Bulls and the Thomas kid, D-Howard and his unbelievable dunks, Kobe (because the rest of the squad doesnt deserve praise), Big Shot Bob (for knocking down Nash), Dirk (for being eliminated in the 1st round and somehow “earning” the MVP), Mark Cuban (for crying like a bitch hahaha) and the rest of the league (Minus the Suns and Mavs) for a great season. at least i have Dime to entertain me during the summer.

  6. June 15th, 2007 at 5:23 am

    kowtz says:

    Le Bron shoudl have his name changed to Le Broom… :D

    He re-signed with cleveland for minimum years, so that he could get a bigger contract much earlier… :D

    Now if he’ll always get a chip on his shoulder that he can’t carry a team to a championship, unlike wade, and jump ship to demand more money… :D

    And IMHO, Eva Longoria should get half of TP’s trophy, with all the no sex no ring rule… ;)

    I’m out like “the king”’s HYPE…

  7. June 15th, 2007 at 7:18 am

    TheJed says:

    I thought the 1999 mention was a little bit of a stretch as well. I’m a Mike Finely fan but he’s going to make 21 million dollars next season (18 by the mavs, and 3 by the spurs if he picks up his player option). It is a crazy world.

  8. June 15th, 2007 at 8:22 am

    Arthur says:

    Spurs may be the team of the decade but they are no dynasty, How can you have a team 3-peat (Shaq’s Lakers) in the middle of antoher teams dynasty?……….Not possible

  9. June 15th, 2007 at 8:40 am

    Amar says:

    props to the spurs for getting it done. hooray, lets focus on the nba draft now . . .

  10. June 15th, 2007 at 8:57 am

    djKianoosh says:

    Dank, I’m calling you out. You say you barely saw 3 minutes of the finals and you’re still complaining about Ginobili supposedly flopping? Please. Stop repeating 3rd grade conversations you’ve overheard at recess. Don’t get me started…

    First off, Varejao is leaps and bounds the worst offender in the flopping department. Every game he tries to flop at least a couple times. I’ve said before, Ginobili actually takes a hit, and not weak hits, a real hit (think Lebron’s shoulder backed by full force) and then accentuates it (smart, by the way, cause the refs do pay attention to that) to get the calls. He actually doesn’t get many calls like that anymore even though he’s taking hits. You’re just hating on his reputation at this point. Instead of hating on that, hate on the fact that he was equal to James in the 4th quarter last night, to close them out. Big threes, big drives, big free throws.

    Also hate on the fact that the Spurs had 5 straight possessions for 2 straight minutes from about 4 minutes to go to about 2 minutes to go. And the Cavs are supposed to be a great rebounding team? Where was it? That’s the kind of thing that hurt the Cavs.

    They need to upgrade at all positions and Lebron just needs to be a little more Kobe/AI, less Kidd (forget Magic and Jordan)

  11. June 15th, 2007 at 9:08 am

    seth says:

    random thoughts:
    1. How annoying was the woman who was yelling constantly “WOOOOO WOOOO WOOOOO WOOOOO WOOOO” everytime Tim Duncan caught the ball? I actually had to push mute. Was I the only one who noticed that?
    2. How funny was Eric Snow’s “we got do it now and advance or go home. Now what do you all want to do? What do you want to do!!?” speech. Almost fell in the floor laughing my ass off. NO ONE was listening to him, and Lebron looked like he might punch him.

  12. June 15th, 2007 at 9:10 am

    seth says:

    also dime crew, never, ever compare eric snow to thurman thomas. thurman was a flat-out baller who dominated his league, snow is a scrub who has ridden the coattails of Kemp & GP, AI & Larry Brown and now Lebron to get to the finals.

  13. June 15th, 2007 at 9:28 am

    djKianoosh says:

    Eric Snow can retire now and be a good coach. I hear Tom Izzo has an standing offer to him. He should take it.

    Another fantastic stat from last night. Ginobili and Oberto scored 18 of the last 23 points for the Spurs and also had big rebounds as well. Clutch.

    Looking at the Duncan-Parker-Ginobili trio, you have to say that the Cavs need two more star players to join lebron. Maybe one of their current guys can be the 3rd guy, but they need a bona fide star to be their 2nd guy. All the championship teams seem to have had a stud trio, right?

  14. June 15th, 2007 at 9:42 am

    DefSP says:

    wow…i cant believe it…the season’s over…im going to be boooooored this summer….gosh….

  15. June 15th, 2007 at 9:44 am

    Frank F says:

    Thank God this series is finally over. I kept channel surfing last night between The Finals and CSPAN, because these games made CSPAN seem fun and entertaining. I’ve never been happy that the season is finally over, and now I’m going to hold my breath through the off-season until they re-seed the playoffs so only the best teams in the West play in the finals. It’ll never happen, but that’s the same thing I said about Matt Bonner’s chances of ever winning a ring…life just isn’t fair. By the way, the Spurs aren’t a dynasty unless they win next season, which is a damn good possibility. I’m out like the NBA’s ratings…

  16. June 15th, 2007 at 9:54 am

    Bust Jlaze says:

    and a few seconds later, Duncan cracked his first smile all year …

    …what about when crawford ejected him? He certainly smiled then! (was it crawford? I forget dude’s name)

  17. June 15th, 2007 at 11:06 am

    Noah says:

    I’m tired of hearing how amazing the Spurs are. Yes, they are very good, but the cavs are just THAT bad. How pathetic was it last night when the commentators did a freeze frame of the help side defense of the cavs and it appeared that they didn’t even know a basketball game was going on. Not once did Lebron or any of the other cavs show any emotion, like they cared they were about to be swept. And how about Lebron’s post game comments that they will have to look back and be satisfied with what they accomplished. Satisfied? You just got swept in one of the most abysmal NBA finals ever. If he had some fire in him, besides the “angry” look at his press conference, then he would have said he’s not satisfied, how can you be satisfied with anyhting less than a championship when you are in the finals? The RAPTORS can be satisfied, the cavs must be hungry for next year.

  18. June 15th, 2007 at 11:06 am

    Kudabeen says:

    Why hate on Eric Snow. Is it his fault his Cavs squad couldn’t muster the heart or IQ to take winnable games from the Spurs. That scene where he is trying to instill some pride and light a fire is more telling of the Cavs lack of desire to fight, then Eric Snow’s leadership. LeBron looked resigned to the fact that they were going to lose. I never go the impression that ANYONE on that team was thinking about winning the series. Will the real competitors stand up?!?!

    Eric Snow didn’t ride coattails, he worked and earned his spot when he could have been cut and taken the Bruce Bowen/Darrell Armstrong road back to the league. He was a legit starting point guard on the Sixers team. He allowed Allen Iverson to attach relentlessly. He guarded the best perimeter player no matter his size or speed and more ofter then not locked them down. He provided enough offense on those teams to keep people honest. He was the sole leader on the floor for the sixers, as he was initially on the Cavs.

    People tried to blame the Cavs’ stagnant offense on Snow starting, but it should be pretty clear now, they just don’t have an offensive identity. The games were much more competitive when snow was on the floor with Gibson. Get off of Snow. He did what guys like Mateen Cleaves, who have fanfare coming in the league, couldn’t do find a way to help his team despite his weaknesses.

    I don’t know how old you guys are, but it wasn’t that long ago Snow was sticking that mid jumper and making clutch plays on winning teams. Even last night he was getting his hands on the ball, but the Cavs just gave the ball right back. He is a floor general. Remember Avery Johnson anyone? These guys don’t need to shoot the lights out, they don’t need to even score a point to be a factor. Every winning team needs these guys.

    Give me an Eric Snow on my team and I’ll show you a much better ball club instantly. You don’t make a “Scrub” your team captain. Iverson doesn’t say that guy he respects most in career is a “scrub”.

    Ya’ll must learn!

    Stop reading and absorbing punchline laced basketball analysis and really watch the games. Cavs are an excellent defensive team, but they have no offensive identity and they need more player who know how to play the game on the floor. Maybe they learn and grow and next year be the team we saw against Detroit all season or atleast all playoffs, but I think that only happens if Gooden and AV are coming off the bench and they get a heady Forward to start and bang down low alog with a veteran shooter, with ball hanlding ability to back up Gibson (if he steps up and Takes his job).

    I’m out

  19. June 15th, 2007 at 11:46 am

    derekdisco says:

    In the 4th, who else noticed that douchebag yelling like an ape in the backround? I had to mute the box

  20. June 15th, 2007 at 12:03 pm

    SWAT says:

    STOP HATING!! The spurs are champs!! How dope was it to see Eva run and jump on Tony afterwards…now that you can hate on! But i’m tired of hearing that the finals were boring…whoever says that needs to stick to watching and 1 tapes. NBA basketball is so much more than highlights. Yes is was kind of a slow series but you should be watching it because this is the last taste until oct or nov. Plus, the haters who say the CAVS aren’t talented-just look at who they had to beat to get there. THE PISTONS! It took heart to do that and even though they didn’t show it in the finals they were a decent team, but decent won’t cut it against a GREAT team. And look at who the SPURS had to beat-C’mon basketball fans stand up! It was a good series and I can’t wait for draft day. Peace-

  21. June 15th, 2007 at 12:09 pm

    Hampton says:

    I am sorry, to me a dynasty consists of CONSECUTIVE titles or at least consecutive trips to the Finals with muiltiple chips. Yes the Spurs are 4-4 in the Finals, but let’s not forget the Lakers went to 4 Finals in 5 Years, winning three. Just because you win four titles in nine years doesn’t mean you dominated the League. Let’s not forget the “great” teams the Spurs have beaten in the Finals as well - the #8 seed Knicks in ‘99, a terrible Nets team in ‘03 who had been swept by Shaq and Kobe the prior year, a one-trick pony team in the Pistons in ‘05 who haven’t won anything since, and a Cavs team who would have had a hard team beating the Florida Gators this year. Now if the Spurs can defend, or at least reach the Finals next year, then we can call them a dynasty. But not until then.

  22. June 15th, 2007 at 12:40 pm

    Dank says:

    Yo DJ Kuni, i didnt see manu’s flop on lebrons shoulder bump. thats cus i didnt watch the game last nite. meaning i missed Varejao flopping as well (apparently he ahd like 2 flops per game in the finals). but you’re making an irrelevant point. Manu is a flopper, and Varejao is even worst of a flopper (being that he’s 7 feet tall and he doesnt like to block shots). and besides, if i want to hate on Manu, i can. as an Argentinean myself, i have a right to defend our reputation. and i disown Manu as an Argentinean, because the way he acts like a puss. your still gonna defend him and suck him off???

  23. June 15th, 2007 at 12:41 pm

    Celts Fan says:

    Anyone else think Michael Redd and Ray Allen were both sitting at home thinking, “I should have signed w/ Cleveland 2 years ago instead of sticking w/ my awful team for more money.” You give Cleveland one of those 2, they could have won this thing. Instead, they’re stuck paying Hughes $15M+ and Gooden $10M+ over the next few years and will have to watch LeBron walk in 3. Well done Danny Ferry, well done. At least there’s a competent coach, oh wait…

  24. June 15th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

    tredaddy says:

    tell one thing is Tony Parker the worse Finals MVP ever? Just think about it.

  25. June 15th, 2007 at 1:35 pm

    Kudabeen says:

    Why hate on Tony? All he did was carve up a pretty good defensive team, While “the best power forward in the league”, maybe best of all-time was struggling…

    Tony is the best finishing guard in the league right now, which is pretty crazy and last night he was hitting threes and mid range shots too. If this continues he more than validate his All-star and MVP status for years to come. He is only 25!! Stop the hate.

    He Played Way better than Billups against Hughes, Gibson, LeBron and Snow…So hate on Chauncey…

  26. June 15th, 2007 at 1:50 pm

    Girlybballluver says:

    Did anyone else laugh when D Jones hit that meaningless three at the end of the game? He was mad excited that he finally hit a couple shots, and looked around as if he was looking for someone to acknowledge he had made it. Poor guy. I liked him when he was on my team (Miami).

    Note* Looking forward to Pat Riley shaking up the roster this offseason…we need it.

  27. June 15th, 2007 at 1:57 pm

    Girlybballluver says:

    By the way, I agree with Arthur above. I am a Spurs fan, but it’s pretty hard to argue that they should be considered a dynasty when the Lakers had their 3 year championship run in between the Spurs’ winning seasons. If the Spurs manage to repeat next season, we’ll talk. But I doubt they will. They seem to need a season in which they lose in the playoffs, before they can find the motivation to win again.

  28. June 15th, 2007 at 4:53 pm

    Kudabeen says:

    Jemele Hill has a good article about appreciating the Champs!!

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070615&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2

  29. June 15th, 2007 at 5:07 pm

    tredaddy says:

    To Kudabeen
    I’m not saying that tony parker wasn’t giving the cavs the bizness but all keep in mind he went up against the worse group of guards to ever play in the finals and that is the truth (larry h,snow,gibson,d jones) he did have a great 4 games scoring the ball, but where the spurs won the games was on the other end of the floor where t.parker was not factor @ all. he shot a great percent from the field but the man is a point guard and had 3 assists per game. Duncan didn’t have a great scorein games but he and bowen did set the tone 4 the games the way they played outstandin halfcourt defense.to me timmy was the MVP cuz he is the main focus on both ends of the floor and that’s what allows tony to do his thing. however t.p played great ball and but bein a point guard I would have love 2 see him pass a little better then maybe these games would have been a little more viewable

  30. June 15th, 2007 at 5:56 pm

    Adrian says:

    How could you say Tony Parker’s Finals MYP gives him the most impressive overall resume of a point guard at the age of 25. You must don’t remember Majic at 19.

  31. June 15th, 2007 at 6:32 pm

    Aaron says:

    Just a sad, pathetic playoffs. The 3rd best team vs. the 9th best team in the finals. Fix your officiating NBA. The best team in the league this year was sent home by your front office. Not another team.

  32. June 15th, 2007 at 6:35 pm

    Aaron says:

    Buddy, come on. I don’t like the Spurs or the Cavs. I think the Cavs are the worst finals teams in decades. But to claim that anybody other the Ginobili is the biggest flopper is assinine. I actually have less hope for humanity if somebody really believes that.

  33. June 15th, 2007 at 6:57 pm

    Kudabeen says:

    When you go to guy is struggling to score, your best spot up three point shooters aren’t on the mark, and your other best scoring option is a guard that needs to get a dribble start and drive the ball…How can you blame him for only having 3 assist per game? For the playoffs overall Tony Parker Averaged 6 apg and for the season around the same thing.

    A team struggling offensively, which was the spurs only flaw, needs a shot in the arm. Parker is not Jason Kidd, but his efforts lifted this team. Defense is a team effort. Spurs have that on lock. On offense alot of times it was PArker’s individual excellence and ability to finish and knock down shots to push the Spurs over the top. Just looking at his assist per game numbers isn’t enough. who was stepping up and scoring with regularity that he didn’t pass to. Ginobli was the only one and he was driving and creating his own offense.

    Parker was the difference between Ws and Ls for the spurs. Duncan was the balance. Ginobli was the closer. The difference maker gets the MVP. He shot over 50%, so he wasn’t gunning, he was getting off. Why pass when scoring is so much easier for you. If Tim was getting off you think he wouldn’t get/demand the ball. He knew what was up and that’s what makes him great. He sees what is working and he conforms…

  34. June 15th, 2007 at 9:12 pm

    tredaddy says:

    to kudabeen.
    don’t get me wrong tony played the best basketball of his life and he deserve the MVP but is he the real MVP.some how with all these offensive problems they had timmy managed 2 ave more then 3 ast per game. duncan get a double team almost every trip down the floor that what was allowing tony all does open midrange shot or shots with the defense running @ him.Timmy didn’t play his best but he still was the most outstanding player on both ends. if timmy isn’t on the floor the cavs could just run double teams and parker and take the ball out of his hand then what would the spurs do.On defense if duncan not on the floor when lebron drives who going 2 step up nobody then its dunk city. lebron only had 2 dunks all 4games. Take game 3 duncan had a bad game and almost managed a triple double. Game 4 in the 4 quarter when the cavs made their run where did they go like they always goes the low post 2 duncan. ONE LAST THING ASK COACH POP IF HE HAD A PICK BETWEEN DUnCAN AND PARKER 2 MISS GAME 4 WITH A INJURY WHO WOULD IT BE

    PARKER EVERYTIME
    CONGRANTS 2 TONY ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP/MVP/EVA BUT MOST IMPORTANT THE PERSON BESIDES THE LORD WHO MAKES IT POSSIBLE IS TIMMY DUNCAN

  35. June 16th, 2007 at 2:15 am

    Ian says:

    hampton
    the spurs are a dynasty
    3 titles in 5 seasons thats how i see it
    look how they lost the other 2 one bad manu foul and one lucky fihser shot that shouldnt have counted

    and about the competition in the finals please the lakers got three crappy teams also
    the one time they got a good team the pistons they lost
    which btw the spurs beat the next season

    so dont give us that crap

  36. June 16th, 2007 at 2:20 am

    Ian says:

    celts comon man
    allen woulda turn a sweep into a win

  37. June 16th, 2007 at 7:40 am

    Austin Burton says:

    @Adrian-
    Good call on Magic, he slipped my mind. He had three rings and two Finals MVPs at 25.

  38. September 11th, 2007 at 3:59 pm

    Jeff says:

    I am as Spurs fan as one can be, but this whole “4 in 9″ makes a dynasty is ridiculous. “4 in 9″ defines the greatness of Duncan and Popovich but it stops there. The Lakers were too good in between. HOWEVER, I think the current “3 in 5″ run IS a dynasty, especially considering how close the Spurs came in ‘04 and ‘06 (spoiled only by Derek Fisher’s miracle shot and Giniboli’s dumb foul). The Duncan and Robinson Spurs are NOT a dynasty, especially when their title came in the lockout year. The Duncan, Giniboli, Parker, Bowen Spurs have won 3 in 5, almost 5 in 5, and seem to be getting better, especially Parker. This dynasty in not done yet, but let’s put this “4 in 9″ business to bed.

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