The Spurs last night topped the Heat to win their fifth NBA Championship, and Spurs Owner Peter Holt ranked this title "as the best of the five the franchise has earned," according to Tom Orsborn of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. Holt said, "This means more than any of the others ... because of the heartbreak of last year, which was tough." During the presentation of the Larry O'Brien trophy, the "under-the-radar" Holt in "typical fashion quickly turned the spotlight away from himself" to coach Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 6/16). USA TODAY's Sam Amick wrote Buford "played such an under-appreciated role in this historic run." Buford remains "one of the most underrated executives in the league, which is why it was so roundly celebrated when he won his first Executive of the Year award in early May." The "lack of appreciation is mostly in the public specter, as his peers know the significant part he played in the Spurs' near-impeccable track record" (USATODAY.com, 6/14). TNT analyst Reggie Miller said, "The ownership group with Peter Holt is fantastic. You go to R.C. Buford and Pop. ... To me, the MVP was Gregg Popovich. He put these guys in position, learning from the mistakes of the Spurs a year ago” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 6/16).
LONGEVITY REWARDED: ESPN's Tim Legler said, "This is maybe the longest sustained run in terms of being a championship-caliber team and having a legit chance to win it all every year in the history of this league" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 6/16). The Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan said, “You go every other year to win three (titles) and then suddenly there's a gap of seven (years), and now they show up again with the same core group. I would have to say that's unprecedented. It testifies to their resilience and longevity, and also the front office” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 6/16).
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES: In Dallas, Sefko & Sabin debate whether the Spurs have "surpassed" the Cowboys as "Texas' best professional sports franchise." Sefko argued yes, writing the Spurs have "become a machine." They have "an owner that lets basketball people make basketball decisions." This franchise "has the staying power that makes it the envy not only of the NBA, but of all the sporting world." Sabin argued no, writing the Cowboys "are the most popular team in the most-watched league" in the U.S. If the Spurs "ever unravel and become merely average, they'll be out of sight and out of mind." The Cowboys remain "a star attraction even as they slog through this extended drought" (
DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/16).
MELTING POT: In N.Y., Scott Cacciola writes the Spurs have "developed an international flair" under Popovich, as eight players on the current roster "were born outside" the U.S. Cacciola: "Loosely translated, that means the Spurs use at least four languages -- English, Spanish, French and Italian -- to communicate among themselves." But the "language barriers have not been an issue for the Spurs -- quite the opposite, in fact." Players described it as "an advantage since they can essentially speak in code to one another on the court" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/16).
