The San Antonio Spurs' Last Roundup?

Spurs logo 2002–present (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Over the course of 18 seasons, Greg Popovich has coached the San Antonio Spurs to four NBA titles (1999, 2003, '05 and '07) with the same basic cast of players from around the world, including Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.  They just added a fifth, defeating the Miami Heat in five games and avenging their finals loss of a year earlier.

The Spurs won Game 5 Sunday night 104-87 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.  Kawhi Leonard, who won the award for most valuable player in the playoffs, scored 22 points with ten rebounds.  LeBron James led the Heat offense with 31 points and ten rebounds.

The tone was pretty much set in Game One, which was played with the air conditioning inside the Spurs' arena broken.  Miami had the lead, but James left the game in the second half with cramps in his leg.  The Spurs ended up winning the game, and the Heat never really recovered.  It could also be argued that James was the offense for Miami during the series, and all his teammates did was stand and watch.

The Spurs, with the best record in the NBA this season at 62 wins, dominated a tough Western Conference.  In the playoffs, they got past the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder (in that order) to get to the finals.

The Heat kind of coasted through a weak Eastern Conference, feeling confident enough to give up the top seed to the Indiana Pacers.  They went through the Charlotte Bobcats and Brooklyn Nets before dispatching the Pacers in the conference finals.

Over the off season, Miami's Big Three--LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh--have some decisions to make.  Should they stick with the Heat and possibly add some talent (maybe Carmelo Anthony, if the scuttlebutt can be believed), or should they take their talents elsewhere?  The balance of power in the NBA might depend on the answer.

As for the Spurs, nearly two decades of excellence could be on the line.  It is not known how long Popovich, who's a man of few words to TV sideline reporters, will continue coaching.  Duncan, Ginobili and Parker, among others, might decide to call it a career.  Whatever happens, the good folks of San Antonio, Texas might do well to enjoy the championship team they have now.