If you don't know what the scoop is for today, I suggest you take a look at my first post from today (the one before this post about the Wizards/Cavs). For anyone who says that San Antonio plays boring basketball, I refer you to this game. The atmosphere is intense, and the level of play couldn't be higher. It's overtime, Suns up by 3 butStoudemire has just fouled out. San Antonio has the ball with 12.6 left on the clock, and after Phoenix blankets Manu Ginobili, he finds Tim Duncan who just drilled the game tying 3-pointer (his first of the season) with three seconds to go (Mike D'Antoni's facial expression was priceless). This season's NBA playoffs are already surpassing all expectations, as we are now headed to double overtime in just the second game (LeBron's throw-down in the first game was also unreal) of this year's playoffs.
Speaking of Tim Duncan nailing three-pointers, by the way, this game has been a vintage Fundamental performance. I've always maintained that Duncan is the best in the game today (better than KG, Kobe, LeBron, Dirk or whomever else there is), and this game is proof. You can see the fire in his eyes and he's playing to impose his will on the Suns. His stats thus far are mammoth: 40 points (16-24 on FGs, 7-12 from the line, and that one huge three at the end of the first overtime), 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. He's also been on the floor for 51 minutes and counting, showing that he can go the distance and continue to be a force of basketball nature in crunch time.
He's been dominating his defender in one-on-one situations and making excellent passes when he's been doubled. Thus far, he's unleashed everything in his arsenal but the kitchen sink, finishing at the rim with both hands, playing face up and with his back to the basket, using short dribble drives and up-and-under moves to score on everybody. He's also beaten the entire Phoenix roster to the glass, converted several key put backs and been instrumental in virtually every one of San Antonio's baskets down the stretch. In other words, it's business as usual for Tim Duncan, who is passionately imploring his teammates to finish strong in the huddle right now.
Wow, Steve Nash just tied it at 115 with a crazy off-balance three pointer in the corner, but Phoenix loses because they let Ginobili dribble the length of the court and get right to the rim and score. Sorry to interrupt my gushing adulation of Duncan with that game update, but seriously, wow. This should be a great series, I'm not going to miss a minute, and neither should you. I don't care if you like basketball or not, just watch it. This is what the game is all about, and it's on display at the highest level possible.
But I digress from my original point of expressing my respect for Duncan's game. This afternoon's contest was a great reminder of Duncan's skill, athleticism, talent and knowledge that has allowed him to dominate his position and the game for so many years. He's certainly not as flashy as Kobe or King James, but I think that Duncan is a joy to watch and can be just as exhilirating on the floor as anyone in the Association. It never gets old to watch Duncan continue to make the right play and just be quietly better than everybody else on the floor.
Whether its driving through the lane and finishing with either hand, grabbing rebounds, defending the rim and the paint, or hitting Kurt Thomas with a beautiful pass out of a double-team that leads to a key basket in the second half, Tim Duncan imposed his will on the Suns and got his team the win in an intense playoff match-up. If the Spurs beat the Suns and manage to keep advancing and win the West, there should be no debate about Duncan's dominance. He delivered a virtuoso performance in game one, we can only hope that the level of play hold up throughout the rest of the series.
