Tonight in June, at the SBC Center, the Spurs are one win away from the second title in their history, after that of 1999. The first in an 82-game season, just to blow their noses at Phil Jackson…
One more win over the Nets and the ring is theirs. Tim Duncan is 27 years old. MVP, he shines on the NBA, even more on these Finals, and that evening, he will dominate the debates like never before.
After going for Game 5 in New Jersey two days earlier, Greg Popovich’s men – in which we already find a young Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili – find themselves in San Antonio to seal this final. Already author of a gigantic Game 1Tim Duncan is averaging 25 points and 16 rebounds, but his biggest performance, so he reserved it for the final game.
Facing Jason Collins, Dikembe Mutombo or Kenyon Martin, the Spurs pivot will put down each of his opponents. Often taken in pairs, he will dissect the defense of the Nets, yet second in the league that year. An even more impressive performance on the other side of the floor when TD takes care of protecting his circle.
A perfect year
However, the Spurs are put in difficulty by the trio Kidd-Kittles-Jefferson. It was not until the middle of the fourth quarter to see the Silver & Black come back in the lead, on a 3-pointer from Stephen Jackson, redacted by the handyman of the Spurs. Author of a 19-0 while the Nets stumbled eight times on the scarecrow Tim Duncan, San Antonio made the break and flew to a victory (88-77), synonymous with the title.
Logically named MVP of the Finals, Tim Duncan ended the match with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks! In total, he will achieve 32 in this final, a record still valid.
“I’m sure he had no idea of his stats” react Gregg Popovich. “He was just focused on the game and what it took to win. »
This June evening, Tim Duncan therefore approached very close to a historic performance: to achieve a quadruple-double. A feat achieved by four players, Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon and as a symbol, David Robinson, with whom he formed the “Twin Towers” and who will retire in the wake of this match. Because we forget the main thing, Tim Duncan has just won his second title, so to hell with the statistics.
