It's time for the NBA Finals as well as what seems like a common thing in recent years - the San Antonio Spurs are playing for a NBA championship. Find out what the Spurs have to do to bring back another trophy , as well as a focus on several players, and my prediction. And, if you look at my NBA Finals prediction before the season, I'm not too bad at this prognostication stuff.
Who’s Been Hot: Well, it's probably been the two main starters for the Spurs, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Is this too easy of an answer? Duncan and Parker are the leading scorers for the Spurs this postseason and have been consistent. For all the hullaballoo about the Utah Jazz's Deron Williams owning Parker, Parker gave back as good as he got averaging a little over 20 points and almost seven assists a night against the Jazz. And Parker was never in foul trouble like Williams was... veteran savvy at it's best.
Who’s Been Cold: The Spurs have such a great team concept with everyone having their roles, which they all play to seeming aplomb that it hards to say anyone has really been cold. Manu Ginobili is the spark off the bench... check! Bruce Bowen is looked upon to defend the opposing team's best offensive player that's not a center... check! Michael Finley, {b]Brent Barry and Robert Horry provide the perimeter threat for the team... check! Fabricio Oberto provides some help down in the blocks for Duncan... check! Can solidly say that there has been a cold Spur... no check!
The X-Factor: It has to be Bowen who will have the primary responsibility of containing an absolutely freak of will right now, LeBron James. Notice, I didn't say "stop," but "contain." Ala Michael Jordan during his heyday, James seems unstoppable during the postseason, in particular during the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Can Bowen do what no player in the East could do for a whole series and not allow James to control the game, particularly at the end of the game? We'll start to find out on Thursday.
