Palace Picks: Reaction to Spurs Championship Run

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Last night was a good night for professional basketball. The Spurs continue their run of dominance over the last 15 years. After being written off before last year’s NBA Finals, San Antonio bounced back this season with authority.

They played at a different level all series long. It was crisp ball movement, team defense, and a stronger will to win that led the Spurs.

Now they are on top of the world.

Tim Duncan has secured his name among the upper echelon of NBA big men with his fifth championship. Alongside him is his longtime coach Gregg Popovich — who might be the greatest coach of this era.

Today, there will be a lot of focus on how the Miami Heat failed to capitalize. The truth is though, that the Spurs succeeded at playing team basketball. They should be celebrated for their accomplishment.

Of course the talks about the big three will be the focus of the media today. Sports Illustrated writers Chris Mannix and Ben Golliver break down what’s next for the Miami Heat as we head into the offseason.

Both also talked about what’s next for the Spurs.

Since I’ve never won a major championship, I’ve often wondered what I’d do in celebration of reaching the mountain top. I guess I should ask Spurs forward Boris Diaw and point guard Patty Mills how to froggy.. Let’s just say that both are well deserving of ‘frogging with the Larry O’Brien‘

I don’t know about you, but all I could think about last night was, “how about that dunk though?” Manu — You do, what you do.

Seriously though, it’s been a while since I’ve rooted for a team to win the finals. I think a lot of it has to do with the team aspect to the Spurs. That same feeling was evident on social media last night, and Crossover Chronicles brings us the recap.

As always in life, there are winners and there are losers. For Birmingham native Shane Battier, last night was bittersweet. His last game as a player in the NBA. What a great ambassador for the game. Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel shared what went through Battier’s mind after the game. He also talked with Ray Allen, who is reportedly mulling over retirement.

"Ray Allen and Shane Battier dressed after a game for perhaps the last time. These are two pros who helped create the fabric of this team. It’s been known for a while Battier is retiring. “I’ve given all I can to the game,” he said. “I can’t give anymore. I’m OK.”Allen wasn’t saying what he will do, though he tip-toed to the edge of retiring.“I’ve had a great career,” he said. I’m content with what I’ve done. It’s hard to think past this moment.”"

Meanwhile, teammate LeBron James wasn’t willing to discuss whether or not he will opt in on with the Heat next season.

"“I haven’t even really thought about [my future] just yet,” he said. “I’m not disappointed in any of my teammates, just wish we could have came through, played a better series, but obviously we ran up against a better team this year.”"

Draft Links:

– Vince Ellis of the Free Press takes a closer look at Florida State forward Okaro White through the scouting of Draft Express.

– It looks like two international prospects have pulled their name from the NBA draft. Greece product Eleftherios Bochoridis will stay overseas. The 6’4″ guard was considered a potential second round pick. Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis has also pulled his name from the 2014 draft. He was considered a first round prospect, but believes he could have even higher stock in 2015.

– A reminder for Pistons fans, Baylor center Isaiah Austin and forward Cory Jefferson will be in Detroit to workout for the Pistons today. As will Stanford forward Dwight Powell and Arizona State center Jordan Bachynski.

– Our friends at The Lottery Mafia have posted a Draft Roundtable discussing who is the biggest sleeper, who will increase their stock the most and which prospect is the most overrated.

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