Tim Duncan: “The easy stuff: A fifth title, an undefeated Finals record and official “Best Player of His Generation” status … with an outside shot at Finals MVP No. 4. But it goes deeper than that. What would be a better storybook ending than a 37-year-old Duncan throwing up one of those old-school “32 and 15s” on Miami (shades of 38-year-old Kareem dropping 29 on Boston in 1985’s clincher) than having one of those 30-second-long sobby hugs with Pop when everything hits him and he starts thinking about their 16 years together, his divorce, everyone thinking he was yesterday’s news, how good winning feels … I mean, if I’m a Heat fan, I am patently TERRIFIED of this scenario. I don’t know who’s winning this series, but I’d bet anything on Duncan having a throwback game either tonight or in Game 7. It’s coming.”
The Miami Heat: “It’s an either/or situation: Either two titles in three years, or two Finals losses in three years (both at home). We’ll remember them either way. But one ship already sailed: They blew their chance to go down as one of the best NBA playoff teams ever.”
Danny Green: “If the Spurs win, he’ll be mentioned for the rest of eternity whenever another playoff role player bursts into flames.”
LeBron James: “Two years ago, I wrote before Game 5 of the Finals, “Who are you, LeBron James? What’s inside you? And why do I care so much?” The truth is … we still don’t know. Or we do. Or we don’t and we do. I am ready for anything tonight, and maybe that’s the best thing you could ever say about LeBron James. As always, the sky is the limit.
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Pacers don’t have enough cap to re-sign David West right now (about 6 Million). Unless West gives Pacers a significant discount, they may have no choice but to move Granger and take back less $. Alternatively they could try to give away Gerald Green without taking back salary.
Regarding Doc Rivers, Clippers will continue to call Boston’s bluff. They should go ahead with their coaching search. I don’t think Doc is much better for Clippers than Lionel Hollins and he would save Sterling a lot of $. It was written that Celtics want to get rid of Rivers because he wouldn’t get along with Rajon Rondo with KG not around.
I still expect KG to be traded to Clippers for Jordan. Unless Celts plan to bring back both Pierce and KG, LAC has all the leverage. Celts will not make playoffs for many years to come.