That the Spurs won surprised no one. That they won going away also wasn't that big a surprise. What was surprising is the way they won, through a combined effort of all members contributing, selflessly, for the greater good.
In many ways, this theme of selflessness serving the team is a throwback to the NBA's golden age, the 1980's. Epitomized in the play of Magic Johnson, the 6'9" point guard reveled in making his teammates better; indeed, it was what he came to be known for. John Stockton, the game's all-time assist leader and true iron man, built his game around getting his team involved. Isiah, as talented and skilled a player as ever touched a basketball, was a brilliant playmaker. Other ones of the 80s such as Mark Jackson were also brilliant assist men.
But the game has changed, with an emphasis on iso or breaking down defenses and kicking it out to the 3 point line and jacking up 23 footers. Today, a one exists in name only, with the best argument for this being Russell Westbrook, whose blazing quickness allows for jaw dropping acceleration but little by way of fundamental basketball, at least by the standards of the 80s.
Now come the Spurs, with all of their ole skool and selfless throwback values. Young kids at the YMCA say "They're boring" while not even lifting up their eyes from their phones, seemingly mesmerized by the amounts of attention they get from their billion "friends" on the new fangled social network flavor of the moment. There are many adjectives I can think of to describe the Spurs, but "boring" isn't one.
While talking to my friend Vartan at the YMCA before game 5 yesterday (Father's Day), I told him that if I were going to teach kids basketball, that I'd show them games 3 and 4 of the Finals, because to me they are like textbooks on team play. It was sport played at the highest level and in the the realm of beauty on par with any work of art. Vartan enthusiastically agreed.
Amid all of the other flattering and pandering messages bombarding us in this media modern world, the Spurs winning is like an oasis, or maybe a well-oiled machine (it's hard to avoid cliches when talking about the Spurs, they are that great) powered by synergy. Krishnamurti once remarked about how he wasn't a savior, that he was just a sign on the road pointing and saying, "look."
-Vince Lombardi
Team. Unselfishness. Synergy. Group effort. What's so refreshing about the Spurs is their mindset. When Kawhi Leonard received the Finals MVP trophy he seemed at a loss for words, but it was his teammates, whooping and hollering, who seemed happier than him!
Here's another important ole skool word: loyalty. When the 80's Lakes lost to the Celts in their first matchup of that decade, I was crushed. The ghost of Tommy Heinsohn was mocking me. But did Magic jump ship? No, he hunkered down, got back to work and trusted then Lakers GM Jerry West to do his job. When Bird lost - twice - to the Lakes, did he jump ship? When Isiah lost in the Finals in '88, did he jump ship? And Jordan languished as the Bulls were the whipping boys for the east for the first 4 years of his career. But he didn't jump ship.
You can see where I'm going with Lebron. But San Antonio's big three, Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, have stayed with the Spurs through thick and thin. That's Ole Skool.
Of course, no rundown of the Spurs' greatness is complete without a nod to Pop. His management and more, the way he gets his team to buy in is legendary. Only a handful of coaches achieve this.
Not to mention Pop's hilarious interview manner, terse, and to the point. But the bottom line of this truly great coach is that he's ole skool. Better watch all you can of this guy as, like Jerry West, he's the last of a special vintage. They don't make 'em like him anymore.
-John Wooden
The Spurs win is a signpost beyond sports admiration. They are an anomaly, a testament to the Ole Skool ways. If it's true that sports provides life lessons, and I believe they do, then the Spurs point the way to success for everyone, through hard work and a commitment to something bigger than the individual. It's a lesson for the ages.
