In the beginning of Game One of the Lakers-Spurs series, Tim Duncan went up for an offensive rebound.  As he was coming down, before his feet hit the floor, he tipped it to a wide open Bruce Bowen on the perimeter.  Duncan wasn’t even squared, touch-passing it sideways across his body, with laser-like accuracy, knowing exactly where his teammate was on the floor.  Bowen went on to miss that jump shot, but it’s that type of play which illustrates, that despite all the big name, free agent signings of Phoenix, Dallas, L.A. and Boston, there is no substitute for a talented, well coached and cohesive unit of individuals working in near perfect synchronicity for an(other) NBA title.

As in years past, most pundits, including myself on occasion, have consistently and inexplicably counted out the San Antonio Spurs.  After going 3-3 against the upstart New Orleans Hornets, the Spurs minced no words in a Game 7 victory IN the Big Easy.  In the first half of tonight’s opener against the Lakers, the Spurs once again show the world why they are the NBA’s best team this decade.

This core group of Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and their supporting cast continue to impress true basketball fans with their execution and teamwork.  And Gregg Popovich remains the most underappreciated coach the game has ever seen.

Let’s now assume the following.  IF the Spurs shock the world and knock off BOTH the Lakers and Celtics (assuming Boston’s in), this may be the most impressive run of their dynasty.  Yes, the Lakers and Celtics both have more talent on paper.  Kobe is the single, most impressive talent in the game.  Garnett is playing like a man possessed.  But let us not forget Tim Duncan is likely the best power forward any of us have ever seen.

This season, the NBA saw a slew of teams spending big time dollars and possibly jeopardizing their future, jockeying to acquire talent for a run at a title.  In retrospect, when has this EVER worked in building a basketball dynasty.  They are not created overnight. 

Amazingly, GMs still fail to look at the San Antonio model to see how titles are won, which is by landing a heady, determined coach that knows the game and trusts his players as they trust him in return.  (Landing the opportunity to draft Tim Duncan doesn't hurt either).

Nobody expected Tony Parker to come into the league and do what he’s doing.  Not only has he landed the homecoming queen, but he continues to put up high percentage shots while breaking down opposing point guards.  Ginobili continues to get off shots as he pleases.  Per Reggie Miller, the league has STILL not figured out that he’s left-handed.  And Tim Duncan is well… Tim Duncan.  The role players of Bowen, Finley, Vaughn, Horry, Barry, Udoka, Oberto and Thomas never force the issue and play within themselves much like the supporting cast of the 1990s Bulls.  Pop goes eleven players deep into that bench and nobody gripes about touches, knowing that in the course of events, they’ll get theirs. That’s coaching, friends. 

If the Spurs somehow knock off the giants of the league (they should really be considered one themselves), they’ll have beaten the Lakers, Celtics and Hornets, teams with the three best records in the regular season.  After tonight's performance, does that at all look unrealistic?

By looking at San Antonio, and to a lesser extent Detroit, shrewd GMs league-wide may finally second guess (but probably not) the way championship teams are constructed, opting for the long-term prize rather than the quick fix.  The Spurs offense is crisply executed, like players who have been running together for years.  The Lakers and Celtics, while extremely talented, do not yet have that luxury.  It shows when they face a quality defense.

If the Spurs pull this off, while impressive, it should really come as a surprise to no one.  I mean, we’ve been watching this team for years, haven’t we?   I know we live in a world of immediate gratification but isn’t long-term, sustained success better than rolling the dice?  I think Gregg Popovich knows the answer to that question.  Why doesn’t anyone else?

In this day and age of athletes breaking the law (allegedly), putting themselves first or complaining about this, that or the other, it’s refreshing to see an athlete accept, respect and eventually thrive under the wisdom and tutelage of his coach for the betterment of the team.

In late January, with a faltering bench, Coach Gregg Popovich decided to tinker with his lineup, moving forward Manu Ginobili from starter to bench player.  Ever since that shift, Ginobili’s numbers and production have steadily increased, while his overall minutes per game have essentially remained.  Pop’s shrewd move now has the Spurs one victory away from another Finals appearance, their third in five years.

Over the first month of the season, Ginobili averaged 14 points per game, but after becoming a reserve, consistently elevated his scoring to 17 ppg in January, 18 ppg in February and 19 ppg in March.

It’s what he’s done in the post-season, however, that has been most impressive.  In Manu’s last eight playoffs games, he’s scored 24, 10, 26, 33, 23, 17, 14 and 22 points, shooting 46% from the floor over that stretch.  He’s also averaged over five rebounds, four assists and two steals per game and has provided the immeasurable spark that Popovich was so desperately searching for.

In that same eight game span, Manu has had double digits in rebounds twice, double digits assists once, and had 9-9, 7-9 and 12-15 shooting nights from the free throw stripe.  Although the Spurs still revolve around Tim Duncan, on Monday, Ginobili elevated his play on a night when his anchor struggled.

Opposing teams’ benches players are ill-equipped to handle Ginobili defensively or match his intensity.  In the upcoming Finals, either Detroit or Cleveland may have to adjust their lineup, due to the mismatches Ginobili creates.  And as Dallas found out in the first round of this year’s playoffs, changing your lineup to react to your opponent can very well end your season.

For Detroit, defense stopper Tayshaun Prince will have to log some serious minutes to be able to shut Ginobili down.  There’s no player off Detroit’s bench capable of managing Manu.  Similarly, there’s nobody off Cleveland’s bench equipped to cool him off either.

When San Antonio’s big three are clicking, they’re a joy to watch, unless of course you’re rooting for the other team.  Someone better find an answer for Ginobili soon or San Antonio may very well be manu-facturing him another ring.

Ah yes..... how many of us, just yesterday, were lauding the unheralded underdogs.  That's right... you in the corner, boasting to your friends that the Bulls, Kings and Lakers were ready to pull off miraculous upsets over their heavily favored opponents and advance to the next round of the playoffs.  No less than 24 hours later, a few of us are eating our words.

A once lackluster and seemingly uninspired Miami Heat team has turned things around and played Game Five like the Riley-coached veterans we expected.  Manu Ginobli was finally able to pull a few stutter steps over on Artest and get to the rim.  And the Suns appear to be heating up at just the right time.  The last thing the Lakers, Bulls and Kings wanted was to go back home for a Game Six.  Well, guess what.  Shame on any of us who ever underestimated the favorites.  Keep in mind, they feature Shaq, Duncan and Nash on their rosters.

Anyone making any predictions now?