That could be the headline on sports news tomorrow and on the days to come.
For San Antonio fans, this could be the last time they will see their big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker in an NBA Finals. If the Spurs win, it will be the 5th title brought to San Antonio in the era of Tim Duncan. The other championship rings were in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007. If Tim Duncan decides to retire after this season, a championship would be the cherry on top of the sundae - an excellent ending to a splendid career. Tim Duncan has achieved more than most power forwards.
Will Manu have another throw back game? Will he once again be the Manu of old? Fans of San Antonio hope so. After all, they know that Manu is also in his twilight years. This time, too, is probably the last time he can chase the NBA ring. So, in game 6 of the NBA playoffs, why not lay it all on the line, and play like there is no tomorrow.
Tony Parker may be injured, but at least he is playing for the team, and trying to be a factor. Will he have another heroic game, similar to Game 1 of the Finals?
As for the Heat, they seem to have lost the edge that allowed them to become the second team in NBA history with the longest winning streak. I'm not seeing the "closer" in LeBron James. Sure, he scored the most points in Game 4 for the Heat, but if you watched that game, it was Dwayne Wade who opened up the scoring flood gate which allowed the Heat to run away with the win.
Wade carried the Heat on his shoulders in their 2004 win. He too, is considered a superstar who might be entering his twilight years due to injuries. So while many may think that the Miami Big Three of James, Bosh, and Wade have plenty more championship runs in the future - and therefore - should just give way to the aging San Antonio Spurs Big Three, perhaps out of respect, they might have to think twice. If Wade is not healthy in the future, then this too might be Miami's last chance at a championship before rebuilding again. Allen, Miller, Haslem, Battier... these are all aging superstars.
Is James being to careful during the finals? Was last year's championship ring a fluke? He cannot do it alone, but if he really wants to do whatever it takes to lead Miami to another championship, he has a tremendous task ahead of him. First is winning Game 6 to force a do-or-die Game 7. And if he is somehow able to do that, then the second task is winning Game 7. Can they survive like they did Indiana?
But San Antonio has proven that they are difficult to beat back-to-back. And San Antonio has two cracks at this. Still, if I were Popovich and his men, I would end this finals as early as possible.
