The Right Stuff - Tuesday, May 20, 2008
360 Views :: 0 Comments ::  :: Michael Bradley When it was all over Monday night in N'Awlins, Spurs center Tim Duncan said his team had "a lot of confidence" and "a lot of games under our belt." The NBA's best winner spoke the truth, because even though San Antonio had been blown out in three previous road games by the Hornets during the series, it was experienced and tested enough to prevail when it counted most. The Spurs have won four titles in the past 10 seasons in large part because of Duncan's single-minded pursuit of victory, rather than individual glory. He teams with Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and a veteran supporting cast to demonstrate each year that winning big isn't just about talent; it's about finding committed players willing to fit into a successful model. The Spurs' success is instructive for the Sixers and GM Ed Stefanski, who is too wise to think this year's step forward has put the team anywhere close to contention. It's one thing to have a few players who can perform occasionally at a high level and quite another to have proven veterans able to survive the high-pressure cauldron of the post-season. The Spurs have them. The Hornets didn't, at least not yet. Their loss could be instructive and motivate them to greater things next year. Or, it could break them apart. That remains to be seen. Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA, so the New Orleans coaches and brass must make sure this loss was a building block, not a detonator. The same thing goes for the Sixers. No one can say for sure that this year's success will yield even a playoff berth next year, much less a series win. Stefanski must find a leader capable of squiring the team through the tough games and a group of supporting actors willing to do their jobs and face down the long odds. That's not easy to do and a big reason why Spurs GM R.C. Buford is one of the best in the business. (It doesn't hurt that Duncan fell in his lap via the lottery.) If Philadelphia is to go beyond the "nice try" level, it must emulate the Spurs and collect winning personalities and committed competitors. Otherwise, the Sixers will be trapped in the NBA morass, rather than rising above it. Like the Spurs. |