Tonight, we could see the end of a dynasty (perhaps) and the emergence of a new guard, or see the dyansty move one step closer to cementing itself as a team to be remembered as one of the very best when the Spurs face the Hornets in game 7 of their series. It seems funny that even though this should be talked about as a classic struggle, all that seems to be talked about is Robert Horry nailing David West in the back to knock him out of the rest of game 6 (for the record, I feel that while Horry did give a clean foul by definition, he meant to hit West in the back, but that's water under the bridge). I choose to focus on something that didn't get as much acclaim.

Watching ESPN recently, I came across Jalen Rose (who must be in a competition for dumbest outfit with Don Cherry with his bowtie look), and they asked Rose (proud possessor of zero NCAA titles and zero NBA titles) who would win game 7 tonight. He said "It has to be the Spurs". Let me get this straight, Jalen; you say New Orleans shouldn't win tonight? The Spurs have to win tonight? To be clear, Rose then went on to say the Lakers (waiting in the wings) would rather play SA not because they match up better, but that they would rather beat the Spurs. Are you saying that the Hornets playing the Lakers wouldn't entertain us?

If I'm L.A., I just want to win the title, no matter whose playing. Beating the Spurs would be poetic justice, but it's not about beating who you want to beat; just ask the 1990 Pistons. They would have prefered to beat L.A in the Finals, but did they lose to Portland? Hell no! So, now that I've ranted, let's pick a winner!

The biggest whine I've heard besides Horry's foul is that the Spurs are so much more experienced in game 7 than thye Hornets. I think that's overrated. The Spurs are 1-1 in the Duncan era in game 7, and both times they played at home. And don't tell me Byron Scott doesn't have his team ready; he played game 7's with the Lakers, and his last title was won in game 7. He'll have his team ready. Pay attention to the third quarter; the Hornets have made their move in all three prior home games there.

So, who wins? I'll say the Hornets will end the Spurs' quest to repeat tonight; the homecourt edge, plus Duncan's inconsistency in NO will haunt the champs. I just hope that guys like Rose, Jay Mariotti, and Skip Bayless are watching when it happens. Because the Spurs won't return the same if they lose; for guys like Horry, Michael Finley, Brent Barry and even Bruce Bowen, this could be the last rodeo together. But the Hornets will win tonight, I'll say 105-101.