Hoops4theSoul

Jun

23

Spurs Win Title; Gear Up for Run with RJ

Filed Under On This Day . . ., NBA, Loose Balls

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2005 NBA Finals San Antonio Spurs Big Three Richard Jefferson With Tim Duncan as the cornerstone of the franchise, the San Antonio Spurs have won four championships in the past 11 years, including one four years ago tonight against the Detroit Pistons in Game Seven of the 2005 NBA Finals.

While the Spurs are not a dynasty in my opinion since they have not repeated as champions, they hope to make at least one more run to the NBA Finals with a slick trade this afternoon for Milwaukee Bucks forward Richard Jefferson.

All the Spurs had to give up to get Jefferson were two veterans on the decline — Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas — and just another pedestrian center who filled space next to Duncan in Fabricio Oberto.

After having Mano Giboli sidelined with ankle injuries late in the season and then being eliminated in a first-round upset by a more active Dallas Mavericks squad, the Spurs knew they had to get more athletic.

In Jefferson, who has already been in the league for 8 years, the Spurs have gotten that player.

While older and more of a jump shooter than in years past, Jefferson is a significant upgrade over Bowen, who primarily stuck in this league because of a defensive style that often bordered on dirty but had been less effective the last couple of seasons.

With Jefferson in the fold, the Spurs probably have the best “Big Four” tandem in the league, that is if Ginobli can stay healthy.

Even if he can not, Jefferson’s presence will allow Ginobli to take it easy in the regular season as Roger Mason can start at shooting guard.

If Ginobli is able to go for much of next season, expect the Spurs to clunk another big body next to Duncan and see what happens.

Of course, any title hopes hang on Tim Duncan staying healthy, which isn’t a certainty at this point in his career.

While Tony Parker has elevated his game in the last couple of seasons, the Spurs still revolve around Duncan.

With all that said, give the Spurs credit.

They saw the time running out in the looking glass and made a move that gives them a credible chance at maybe one more title.

The Lakers will be the favorites in the Western Conference yet again, but the Spurs are right there behind them.

As for the Pistons, which lost to the Spurs in Game Seven of the ‘05 Finals four years ago, they acquired Oberto from the Bucks for Amir Johnson shortly after the deal with the Spurs.

While Oberto will now get to join fellow Argentine Walter Herman in Detroit, the Pistons expect to make a big splash in free agency as they will have a lot of cap room to work with.

Carlos Boozer has been mentioned as a possible free agent acquisition, which would be a bad move.

In my neck of the woods, it’s rumored that Detroit has already guaranteed Chicago Bulls scoring dynamo Ben Gordon an $11 million annual deal.

Here’s hoping that’s not true for the Bulls, but expect Gordon to land in Detroit and terrorize Chicago in the Central Division for years to come.

With that said, the NBA Draft is less than 48 hours away.

While this year may not have the best crop of prospects, it’s still the NBA Draft and fun to watch.

I’m getting excited.

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