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How will we remember the Celtics and the Spurs after the 2017 playoffs?

By Evangelos Kotsifis

Mar 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) works against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 120-103. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) works against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 120-103. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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After being afterthoughts in the Conference Finals, how will we remember the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs?

The 2017 NBA Conference Finals are coming to a conclusion and the winners are more or less determined.

The Golden State Warriors just swept the undermanned San Antonio Spurs, who were without Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard for nearly the entire series, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are up 2-1 over the Boston Celtics, who just lost Isaiah Thomas for the remainder of the postseason.

With the Warriors and Cavs destined for a rubber match in the NBA Finals, we explore how basketball fans are going to remember this year’s runner-ups?

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Western Conference: Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs

This was a heavily anticipated matchup and a very competitive series for all 28 minutes. Right before Kawhi Leonard’s foot met Zaza Pachulia’s and the Spurs saw their 21-point lead vanish.

After that, the winner was a foregone conclusion. San Antonio covered for the loss of Tony Parker in a previous round when other players stepped up in his place. Kawhi Leonard, on the other hand, is an MVP caliber player and his presence was vital for the Spurs to have any chance to win against the most talent-stacked team the league has ever seen.

When the new season kicks in on late October, this may very well be a new team. Manu Ginobili has possibly played his last game in a Spurs uniform, or any uniform for that matter. The flamboyant guard is on the edge of retirement at 39 years old, and though his stats were declining, he is a tough one to replace.

His craftiness and late game heroics were typical of San Antonio as much as the Alamo.

The only untouchable player for the Spurs at this point is Leonard. LaMarcus Aldridge, brought two years ago to fill Tim Duncan’s void, has once again proved that he can not carry the offensive load and should be considered second or third choice in a championship seeking team. His age and contract may force San Antonio to look for younger and more efficient pieces of the puzzle.

Tony Parker is also a question mark and even if he stays, Popovich will have to find a younger and more agile starting point guard (Chris Paul maybe?).

We grew accustomed to a certain San Antonio Spurs profile for the past decade but Tim Duncan retired and Manu and Tony are on the sunset of their formidable careers. Could be that we just witnessed the last dance of a great team. As long as Pop is in charge though, he will always find those hidden gems needed to build the next calm empire.

Eastern Conference: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers

The Boston Celtics were due for a change in their style of play, no matter the outcome of this series. They own this year’s No. 1 draft choice and if they decide to keep it, they will add a franchise player to their roster, probably Washington standout Markelle Fultz. Otherwise, they will actively look to sign a big name free agent like Gordon Hayward, whose style of play fits perfectly with the team-oriented profile coach Stevens is trying to implement.

The 2017 NBA Playoffs leave the Celtics with a bitter taste. On one hand, they showed remarkable mental toughness to beat the Wizards in 7 games and had an array of protagonists shining in every win. In addition, this season marked Isaiah Thomas‘ rise to stardom as he overcame a personal tragedy to lead his team to the Conference Finals.

He set a personal playoff career-high  for 53 points in Game 2 against Washington and repetitively took over on the fourth quarter of close games.

All things considered, this was a great run for the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, their inability to maintain a high level of play against the defending champions in the Eastern Finals made clear that they need more star power.

Must Read: Ranking The Top 10 Most NBA-Ready Draft Prospects

No matter how many tricks Brad Stevens will pull up his sleeve, the NBA is a star-centered league for a reason. When things get tough and critical, a team has to lean on the big names to carry them and for now, Isaiah Thomas is alone in that role.

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