NBA Finals 2013: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili Continue to Grow Their Legacy

Apr 17, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (left), and Tony Parker (center), and Manu Ginobili (right) watch from the bench during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the AT

The Spurs are in the Finals again. Once again, they are led by coach Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. It’s been about the Heat all season but the Spurs, while not as flashy, are a team of consistent domination.

Tim Duncan was drafted in 1997. Since his rookie season, with the exception of the two lockout seasons he’s seen, the Spurs have had over 50 wins and have always been in the contender conversation. Manu came on board in 2002-03 (he was drafted in 1999 by the Spurs) and Parker in 2001.

For a while though, folks have called the Spurs too old. Their trio of stars wasn’t going to be able to hold off the injuries. But the Spurs are not as old as people would think. Yes, Duncan and Manu are up there. But Parker is actually in his “prime years” and they are surrounded by young role players who have proven themselves during the season and playoffs.

Here is a team that is always labeled “boring”. Well, I think that boring seems to be working for them.

Is this the last run? Shucks, we’ve been asking that for a few years now. I think as long as their trio is able, they will always have a chance. But I think that the 50+ wins each season ends here. The Spurs will be a good, sometimes great, but I think they are on the verge of losing the magic.

Enough about that. Let’s look at the now. And right now they are in a good position to win the championship. The Spurs are certainly not intimidated by the Heat. Winning this series would certainly build on their already great dynasty. Duncan and Pop have no choice but to make the HOF. Parker and Manu…I’m not sure. Their international play during the Olympics could help their bid. But, there’s no question that this trio will go down as one of the best of all time.

Right now, I would say their first three years together went better than the Miami Heat’s trio. Only time will tell if the Heat can catch up to what the Spurs did for such a long time. Granted, the Heat trio will probably not be together as long as the Spurs trio, since they came together later in their careers.

Can they take the Heat? Yes. Will they win four games? You know what? I think they can. Is this generation of Spurs one of the greatest of all time? Yup, and another title will only solidify that. While the Heat are trying to build their legacy, the Spurs are looking to wrap things up with one last title. Ten, 20, 50 years from now, we’ll all remember a team that went against not only great teams like the Kobe-Shaq Lakers, C-Webb’s Kings, Steve Nash’s Suns, Dirk’s Mavericks (who are an underrated dynasty themselves), Yao-T-Mac’s Rockets, and Kevin Garnett’s T-Wolves (who had moments of domination during the 2000’s), but have also been recently fighting off age too.

All of those teams out west had dominated at some point during the 2000’s, but only the Spurs remained a contender each season.

These next 4-7 games are possibly the final chapter of a very quiet dynasty. And you can expect the same type of greatness and consistency that we’ve learned to look forward to in years past.